Viola Davis received the NAACP Chairman’s Award on Saturday night at the 57th NAACP Image Awards held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium near Los Angeles, delivering a moving speech about self-worth, resilience, and the necessity of confronting difficult truths for personal and national growth. The Viola Davis NAACP Award highlighted her journey from a childhood marked by poverty to becoming an internationally acclaimed actress and advocate.
Viola Davis Reflects on Personal Journey and Collective Healing
<pAddressing the audience, Davis underscored the importance of healing and acceptance in any process of becoming. “There is no becoming without healing and without a radical acceptance of one’s truth,” she said. “We either move forward together or not at all.” Her speech deeply connected with themes of unity and confronting discomfort to foster progress.
Davis, who has earned multiple prestigious accolades including an Oscar, Emmy, Tony, and Grammy, discussed her early struggles growing up in Rhode Island.
“I just wanted to be somebody. I wanted success because I thought it was significance,”
she said, describing the drive that propelled her career. She has since received widespread acclaim for roles in films such as The Help, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Doubt, as well as her captivating performance in the television series How to Get Away With Murder. Achieving EGOT status after winning a Grammy for the audiobook of her memoir Finding Me, Davis added this to her collection of two Tonys, an Emmy, and an Academy Award earned for Fences.
Reflecting on her rise from humble beginnings, she said,
“No one can describe the journey of going from the little chocolate girl searching for hope, to the girl living a transcendent life.”
Her words resonated amid the strong emotions surrounding stories of perseverance and identity on the awards stage.
Michael B. Jordan Honored as Entertainer of the Year
The ceremony also celebrated Michael B. Jordan, who was named entertainer of the year for his dual roles as twin brothers in the film Sinners. Jordan’s win was accompanied by the best actor award for the same film, which explores complex supernatural themes. He won against notable nominees including Cynthia Erivo, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, and Teyana Taylor. Last year’s entertainer of the year winner was Keke Palmer.
During his acceptance speech, Jordan paid tribute to his late friend and Black Panther co-star Chadwick Boseman, becoming emotional as he recalled their bond.
“My best friend, Chad … I miss you every day,”
he said. He also thanked his family and urged viewers, especially those in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, to chase their dreams with humility and kindness.
Iconic Hip-Hop Group Salt-N-Pepa Enters NAACP Hall of Fame
The NAACP Image Awards honored the groundbreaking music trio Salt-N-Pepa by inducting them into the Hall of Fame for their significant cultural impact and pioneering role in female representation within hip-hop. The group, comprised of Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandra “Pepa” Denton, and DJ Spinderella, rose to fame throughout the 1980s and 1990s with hits like Push It, Shoop, and Whatta Man. Their work amplified female voices in the rap genre and fostered important conversations on confidence, relationships, and self-expression.
Accepting the award, DJ Spinderella reflected on their unexpected influence, stating,
“We didn’t know we were building a movement. We were just being ourselves.”
Their legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists and fans, underscoring the trio’s lasting contribution to music and culture.
Deon Cole’s Sharp Humor Highlights Ceremony
Comedian and actor Deon Cole hosted the night with a mix of incisive political satire and cultural commentary. His opening monologue included a censored reference to immigration enforcement and addressed a recent incident from the British Academy Film Awards where actor Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo experienced a disruption caused by a racial slur from a member of the audience.
Cole’s humor received strong reactions, including jokes about excluding anything connected to ICE from the guest list and a comedic prayer segment that wove in references to celebrities and current events. He also issued a pointed warning to anyone prone to inappropriate outbursts:
“If there are any white men out here in the audience with Tourette’s, I advise you to tell them they can read the room tonight.”
Addressing the BAFTA Incident and Its Aftermath
The disruption at the BAFTA ceremony, which was prerecorded earlier in the day, involved Tourette syndrome advocate John Davidson shouting a racial slur as Jordan and Lindo presented. Both actors received a standing ovation at the NAACP event. Lindo spoke about the support they’d received since the incident, saying,
“In the aftermath of what happened last weekend, it means a lot to us. It is an honor to be here amongst that people this evening, among so many people who have shown us such incredible support. And it’s a classic case of something that could be very negative becoming very positive.”
Ryan Coogler joined Lindo in presenting the best actress award to Cynthia Erivo for her work in Wicked: For Good.
Regina Hall Acknowledges Emerging Talent and Esteemed Peers
Regina Hall presented the first award of the night to Miles Caton, who accepted the trophy for outstanding breakthrough performance in a film for his role in Sinners. Before doing so, Hall took a moment to commend Jordan and Lindo, praising their poise amid the recent BAFTA incident.
“I’d like to just take a moment to the two kings who are in this audience and send you so much love for your class,”
she said.
Sinners, the suspenseful supernatural thriller directed by Ryan Coogler, led the film nominations with 18 nods, dominating categories and spotlighting emerging talent alongside established stars.
Colman Domingo Receives President’s Award for Social Justice Advocacy
Actor Colman Domingo was honored with the President’s Award, which recognizes individuals who leverage their influence to promote social justice and public service. Domingo joins a distinguished group of past recipients, including Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill, Usher, Rihanna, and John Legend.
In his acceptance, Domingo spoke about the people who shaped his journey, especially his mother and stepfather, emphasizing the essential nature of community support and purpose. “You don’t get here alone,” he stated, acknowledging the collective effort behind individual success.
Tribute to Rev. Jesse Jackson Honors a Lifelong Advocate
The ceremony paid homage to Rev. Jesse Jackson, a towering figure whose activism shaped American culture, politics, and social justice movements for decades until his passing in February at age 84. Actor Samuel L. Jackson delivered a heartfelt tribute, highlighting Jackson’s role as a protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his enduring commitment to empowering marginalized communities through causes ranging from voting rights to economic opportunity.
Rev. Jackson’s message of dignity and self-worth through the rallying cry “I am somebody” resonated strongly with the audience, emphasizing hope and empowerment across generations. The tribute underscored the profound impact of his leadership in pushing for equality and inclusion in American society.
