ryan coogler s sinners sweeps big at naacp image awards

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners continued its impressive run during awards season by securing four major victories at the NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors ceremony held on Thursday night. The film, which received a staggering 18 nominations this year, has now claimed nine wins, solidifying its status as the standout motion picture of the season.

On Thursday, Coogler was awarded for outstanding writing and directing in a motion picture. In addition, the film’s cast earned notable recognition: Wunmi Mosaku received the award for outstanding supporting actress, while Delroy Lindo took home the trophy for outstanding supporting actor. These wins underscore the critical acclaim that Sinners has gathered, both behind the camera and in front of it.

Highlights from the NAACP Image Awards Ceremony and Other Honorees

The NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors featured 25 award categories covering film, television, and documentary work. Hosted by Kevin “KevOnStage” Fredericks and Angel Laketa Moore, the ceremony showcased a diverse range of achievements in Black entertainment and culture. The popular ABC comedy series Abbott Elementary earned several accolades, including outstanding comedy series and acting awards for stars Janelle James and William Stanford Davis. Meanwhile, the Hulu series Reasonable Doubt was named outstanding drama series.

In addition to entertainment awards, the NAACP bestowed the Mildred Bond Roxborough Social Justice Impact Award on Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant. Speaking about the award onstage, Bryant reflected on the resilience and ongoing relevance of the NAACP.

“Tonight we converge while the world is in crisis, knowing 117 years later that the NAACP is necessary,”

he stated.

“I’m grateful that coming out of college, this organization saw my potential and made an investment in me by making me the youngest national youth and college director in their history, and allowed me an opportunity to find my voice and to find my space.”

– Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant

Dr. Mary Anne Franks received the NAACP-Archewell digital civil rights award, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, appearing via video to honor her contributions. Distinguished figures such as Viola Davis, Colman Domingo, Salt-N-Pepa, DJ Spinderella, and A$AP Rocky also received significant honors throughout the week-long celebration of Black excellence.

Finale and Entertainer of the Year Award Announcement

The week-long festivities culminate on Saturday with the 57th NAACP Image Awards telecast, where the evening’s most anticipated awards will be presented live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Deon Cole returns as host for the event, which airs at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET, CBS, and various Paramount Networks. This grand finale will feature awards across multiple categories, including the coveted Entertainer of the Year award, with nominees Cynthia Erivo, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, Michael B. Jordan, and Teyana Taylor competing for the title.

Complete List of Creative Honors Award Winners

The Creative Honors recognized outstanding achievements across various categories. The full roster of winners includes the following:

Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant

Dr. Mary Anne Franks

Ryan Coogler – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Reginald Hudlin, Shola Lynch – Number One on the Call Sheet (Apple TV)

Taraji P. Henson – Straw (Netflix)

Tyler Lepley – Ruth & Boaz (Netflix)

The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)

Don Lemon – The Don Lemon Show (YouTube)

Zootopia 2 (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Aisha Hinds – 9-1-1 (ABC)

Caleb McLaughlin – Stranger Things (Netflix)

Naya Desir-Johnson – Sarah’s Oil (Amazon MGM Studios)

Leah Sava Jeffries – Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney+)

Janelle James – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

William Stanford Davis – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Delroy Lindo – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Reasonable Doubt (Hulu)

Cedric The Entertainer – The Neighborhood (CBS)

Tee Sanders – @teesanderscomedy

Lynae Vanee – @lynaevanee

Major Wins at the Virtual Ceremony on February 25

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners emerged as the dominant winner during the final night of the 57th NAACP Image Awards virtual ceremonies on Wednesday. The period vampire thriller, which had the most nominations at the event, captured three awards: stunt ensemble, outstanding cinematography (awarded to Autumn Durald Arkapaw), and outstanding ensemble cast including actors Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, and Delroy Lindo among others.

Coogler and Jordan’s earlier projects, Black Panther and its sequel Wakanda Forever, also received ensemble awards in prior Image Awards ceremonies, highlighting their consistent collaboration and success in the industry. The virtual event, hosted by Angel “ThatChickAngel” Laketa Moore and Khleo Thomas, focused on non-televised categories in film, television, and writing.

Among other winners, Teyana Taylor, nominated for six awards, won outstanding supporting actress in a TV movie, limited series, or dramatic special for her role in Tyler Perry’s Straw. Her co-star Glynn Turman received the supporting actor award for the same film. The late Malcolm-Jamal Warner was posthumously honored for outstanding guest performance in the Fox series Murder in a Small Town.

Additional Honorees During the Multi-Night Virtual Event

On the previous nights, Cardi B raked in three awards including outstanding female artist and outstanding album for Am I the Drama?. Her song ErrTime received the trophy for outstanding hip-hop/rap song. Before these wins, Cardi B had only one Image Award, awarded for her role as judge and executive producer of Rhythm & Flow.

Veteran journalist Don Lemon also secured two awards for The Don Lemon Show, while Michelle Obama’s podcast IMO, co-hosted with her brother Craig Robinson, won multiple accolades. Kendrick Lamar, a standout figure throughout the ceremony, won outstanding male artist and shared the music video/visual album award with SZA for their Grammy-winning song Luther.

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners earned its first two awards of the season for outstanding soundtrack and original score, underscoring the film’s multifaceted artistic achievements.

Opening Night Honors Featuring Michelle Obama and Kendrick Lamar

The 57th NAACP Image Awards began on a high note with former first lady Michelle Obama and rapper Kendrick Lamar collecting early prizes. Obama’s book The Look, which chronicles her personal style journey, won outstanding literary work in the biography/autobiography category. Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show was recognized as the outstanding short-form series or special in reality/nonfiction/documentary.

The first night’s virtual ceremony, hosted by Angel “ThatChickAngel” Laketa Moore and Khleo Thomas, also introduced gaming awards, spotlighting Berlin Edmond Jr., known as Berleezy, winner of the top prize for his digital content. The evening focused primarily on literary and digital content domains, broadening the scope of the NAACP Image Awards’ cultural impact.

Winners Across Various Categories Celebrated Throughout the Week

Other notable winners across books, television, and music included Juanita Tolliver for

A More Perfect Party: The Night Shirley Chisholm & Diahann Carroll Reshaped Politics

, Patricia Smith for

The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems

, and Angie Thomas for

Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi

. Berlin Edmond Jr. (@Berleezy) was honored for his digital work, marking the Image Awards’ commitment to recognizing emerging media formats.

The broad array of winners highlights the NAACP’s role in honoring excellence and social justice messaging throughout Black creative industries. With the week’s final awards show ahead, anticipation remains high for who will take home the prestigious Entertainer of the Year award and other top honors.