*Black Hollywood finest converged at the iconic Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 16th, for the prestigious 55th NAACP Image Awards.
The incomparable Queen Latifah served as host for the second time.
The star-studded guest list was nothing short of spectacular, featuring luminaries such as Usher, New Edition, Keke Palmer, Taraji P. Henson, Claudia Jordan, Tisha Campbell, Damson Idris, director Reginald Hudlin, casts from BET’s acclaimed series “Sistas” and “Diarra From Detroit,” among many others.
Usher clinched the President’s Award and the coveted title of “Entertainer of the Year.” Meanwhile, the legendary New Edition was rightfully inducted into the Hall of Fame, marking a momentous occasion in their illustrious career.
EUR had the privilege of catching up with some of the Black Excellence on the red carpet. “The Neighborhood” star Tischina Arnold shared that the evening was like a joyous family reunion. Reflecting on her four-decade-long journey in showbiz, Arnold acknowledged the strides made in diversity but emphasized the ongoing need for progress.
Ralph Tresvant of New Edition stated that the group has been waiting for this moment, “we’ve been waiting for this. But it hasn’t been easy. It’s been a long road, But all of us are here. Everybody’s healthy. And we all get a chance to witness it. A lot of the groups that we grew up listening to weren’t there to see this moment, all of them together. So we’re all here together. It just means a lot, and we are so proud of ourselves. And we know we’re just having a good time.”
Adding to the evening’s allure, NFL sportscasting legend Jayne Kennedy-Overton revealed her upcoming memoir, Plain Jane, which is slated for release in the second quarter of 2025. The book promises readers an intimate glimpse into Overton’s extraordinary life.
June Ambrose, recipient of the Vanguard Award, underscored the significance of having a hand on and leaving an indelible mark on the culture, emphasizing the weight of responsibility that comes with it.
The VIP experience extended beyond the ceremony, as guests were treated to an exclusive gifting suite featuring premium brands such as Blk Box luxury gifts, Black-owned wine, Theopolis Vineyards’ wines, and the Black-female-owned skincare line “I Know,” Mixed Chicks hair care line, co-created by none other than Kim Ethridge, sister-in-law of the iconic Bobby Brown and more.
The celebration of Black culture was broadcast live on CBS, BET, and Paramount+.
Check all of our exclusive interviews from the night via the video player at the top of this page
Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-bred entertainment journalist, producer, and host. You can follow her on all social media at @StilettoJill or visit JillMunroe.com.
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