53rd NAACP Image Awards

The 53rd NAACP Image Awards, presented by the NAACP, honored outstanding representations and achievements of people of color in motion pictures, television, music, and literature during the 2021 calendar year. The ceremony aired on February 26, 2022, on BET and simulcast on several of its sister Paramount Global Networks.^[1] The ceremony was hosted for the ninth time by actor Anthony Anderson. Presentations of untelevised categories were livestreamed on January 18, 2022, on the ceremony's website.^[2]

53rd NAACP Image Awards
Date	February 26, 2022
Hosted by	Anthony Anderson
Official website	NAACPImageAwards.net
Television coverage
Network	BET BET Her CMT Comedy Central Logo MTV MTV2 Paramount Network Pop Pluto TV Smithsonian Channel TV Land VH1 (simulcast)
← 52nd NAACP Image Awards 54th →

The nominations were announced on January 18, 2022, with the film The Harder They Fall and the comedy series Insecure leading the nominations with twelve each.^[3] In the recording categories, H.E.R. received the most nominations with six, followed by Chlöe, Drake, Silk Sonic and Jazmine Sullivan with four each.^[4] For the first time in the history of the awards ceremony, it have been included five categories to reward podcasts and social media influencer.^[5]

American journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones was honored with the Social Justice Impact Award at the ceremony for her "social efforts in reporting for The New York Times Magazine about the police injustices and crimes against black people in the United States".^[6] American actor and producer Samuel L. Jackson was also honored with the Chairman's Award, for his "social activism in the 1960s, even serving as an usher at Martin Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral. His continued public service and advocacy for social change".^[7]

For the first time since 1993 ceremony, members of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, Texas House Democratic Caucus and Texas Legislative Black Caucus were recognized with the Roy Wilkins Civil Rights Award to "exemplify the spirit of the NAACP".^[8]

The ceremony honored the President of the Connecticut State Conference of NAACP Branches, Scot X. Esdaile, with the first ever Activist of the Year Award. NAACP Youth-Council founder Chinning Hill was recognized with the first ever Youth Activist of the Year Award.^[9]

All nominees are listed below, and the winners are listed in bold.^[10]

Special Awards

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex were honored with the President's Award.

Nikole Hannah-Jones was honored with the Social Justice Impact Award.

Safiya Noble was honored with the NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award.

President's Award
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Chairman's Award
Samuel L. Jackson
Roy Wilkins Civil Rights Award
Mexican American Legislative Caucus Texas House Democratic Caucus Texas Legislative Black Caucus
Entertainer of the Year
Jennifer Hudson Lil Nas X Megan Thee Stallion Regina King Tiffany Haddish
Social Justice Impact Award
Nikole Hannah-Jones
Youth Activist of the Year
Channing Hill
Activist of the Year
Scot X. Esdaile
NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award
Safiya Noble

Motion Picture

Outstanding Motion Picture	Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture
The Harder They Fall Judas and the Black Messiah King Richard Respect The United States vs. Billie Holiday	Shaka King – Judas and the Black Messiah Denzel Washington – A Journal for Jordan Jeymes Samuel – The Harder They Fall Lin-Manuel Miranda – Tick, Tick... Boom! Reinaldo Marcus Green – King Richard
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture	Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Will Smith – King Richard Denzel Washington – The Tragedy of Macbeth Jonathan Majors – The Harder They Fall Lakeith Stanfield – Judas and the Black Messiah Mahershala Ali – Swan Song	Jennifer Hudson – Respect Andra Day – The United States vs. Billie Holiday Halle Berry – Bruised Tessa Thompson – Passing Zendaya – Malcolm & Marie
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Daniel Kaluuya – Judas and the Black Messiah Algee Smith – Judas and the Black Messiah Delroy Lindo – The Harder They Fall Idris Elba – The Harder They Fall Lakeith Stanfield – The Harder They Fall	Regina King – The Harder They Fall Aunjanue Ellis – King Richard Audra McDonald – Respect Danielle Deadwyler – The Harder They Fall Dominique Fishback – Judas and the Black Messiah
Outstanding International Motion Picture	Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
7 Prisoners African America Eyimofe (This is My Desire) Flee The Gravedigger's Wife	CODA American Skin Bruised Test Pattern The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture	Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
Danny Boyd Jr. – Bruised Ariana DeBose – West Side Story Jalon Christian – A Journal for Jordan Lonnie Chavis – The Water Man Sheila Atim – Bruised	The Harder They Fall Coming 2 America Judas and the Black Messiah King Richard Respect
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture	Outstanding Character Voice Performance – Motion Picture
Encanto Luca Raya and the Last Dragon Sing 2 Vivo	Letitia Wright – Sing 2 Andre Braugher – Spirit Untamed Awkwafina – Raya and the Last Dragon Brian Tyree Henry – Vivo Eric André – Sing 2
Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)	Outstanding Short Form (Animated)
When The Sun Sets (Lakutshon’ Ilanga) Aurinko in Adagio Blackout The Ice Cream Stop These Final Hours	Us Again Blush Robin Robin She Dreams at Sunrise Twenty Something
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)	Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture
Jeymes Samuel – The Harder They Fall Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson – Summer of Soul Jamila Wignot – Ailey Liesl Tommy – Respect Rebecca Hall – Passing	Shaka King, Will Berson, Kenny Lucas, Keith Lucas – Judas and the Black Messiah Janicza Bravo, Jeremy O. Harris – Zola Jeymes Samuel, Boaz Yakin – The Harder They Fall Virgil Williams – A Journal for Jordan Win Rosenfeld, Nia DaCosta, Jordan Peele – Candyman

Television and Streaming

Drama

Outstanding Drama Series
Queen Sugar 9-1-1 All American Godfather of Harlem Pose
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series	Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown – This Is Us Damson Idris – Snowfall Billy Porter – Pose Kofi Siriboe – Queen Sugar Forest Whitaker – Godfather of Harlem	Angela Bassett – 9-1-1 Dawn-Lyen Gardner – Queen Sugar Octavia Spencer – Truth Be Told Queen Latifah – The Equalizer Rutina Wesley – Queen Sugar
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Cliff "Method Man" Smith – Power Book II: Ghost Alex Hibbert – The Chi Daniel Ezra – All American Giancarlo Esposito – Godfather of Harlem Joe Morton – Our Kind of People	Mary J. Blige – Power Book II: Ghost Alfre Woodard – SEE Bianca Lawson – Queen Sugar Chandra Wilson – Grey's Anatomy Susan Kelechi Watson – This is Us
Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series	Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series
Barry Jenkins – The Underground Railroad: "Indiana Winter" Anthony Hemingway – Genius: Aretha: "Respect" Carl Seaton – Snowfall: – "Fight or Flight" Carl Seaton – Godfather of Harlem: – "The Bonanno Split" Hanelle Culpepper – True Story: "Like Cain Did Abel"	Davita Scarlett – The Good Fight: "And the Firm Had Two Partners" Aurin Squire – Evil: "C Is for Cop" Malcolm Spellman – The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: "New World Order" Nkechi Okoro Carroll – All American: "Homecoming" Steven Canals, Janet Mock, Our Lady J, Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy – Pose: "Series Finale"

Comedy

Outstanding Comedy Series
Insecure Black-ish Harlem Run the World The Upshaws
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series	Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson – black-ish Cedric the Entertainer – The Neighborhood Don Cheadle – Black Monday Elisha 'EJ' Williams – The Wonder Years Jay Ellis – Insecure	Issa Rae – Insecure Loretta Devine – Family Reunion Regina Hall – Black Monday Tracee Ellis Ross – Black-ish Yvonne Orji – Insecure
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Deon Cole – Black-ish Andre Braugher – Brooklyn Nine-Nine Kenan Thompson – Saturday Night Live Kendrick Sampson – Insecure Laurence Fishburne – Black-ish	Natasha Rothwell – Insecure Amanda Seales – Insecure Jenifer Lewis – Black-ish Marsai Martin – Black-ish Wanda Sykes – The Upshaws
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series	Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Bashir Salahuddin, Diallo Riddle – South Side: "Tornado" Melina Matsoukas – Insecure: "Reunited, Okay?!" Neema Barnette – Harlem: "Once Upon A Time in Harlem" Prentice Penny – Insecure: "Everything's Gonna Be, Okay?!" Tiffani Johnson – Black Monday: "Eight!"	Issa Rae – Insecure: "Everything's Gonna Be, Okay?!" Ashley Nicole Black – Ted Lasso: "Do the Right-est Thing" Leann Bowen – Ted Lasso: "Lavender" Maya Erskine – PEN15: "Blue in Green" Temi Wilkey – Sex Education: "Episode #3.6"

Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
Colin in Black & White Genius: Aretha Love Life Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia The Underground Railroad
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special	Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
Kevin Hart – True Story Anthony Mackie – Solos Jaden Michael – Colin in Black & White Wesley Snipes – True Story William Jackson Harper – Love Life	Taraji P. Henson – Annie Live! Betty Gabriel – Clickbait Cynthia Erivo – Genius: Aretha Danielle Brooks – Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Jodie Turner-Smith – Anne Boleyn
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Courtney B. Vance – Genius: Aretha Keith David – Black as Night Tituss Burgess – Annie Live! Will Catlett – True Story William Jackson Harper – The Underground Railroad	Regina Hall – Nine Perfect Strangers Anika Noni Rose – Maid Natasha Rothwell – The White Lotus Pauletta Washington – Genius: Aretha Sheila Atim – The Underground Railroad
Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special	Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special
Kenny Leon – Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Jaffar Mahmood – Hot Mess Holiday Mario Van Peebles – Salt-N-Pepa Maritte Lee Go – Black As Night Verónica Rodríguez – Let's Get Merried	Abdul Williams – Salt-N-Pepa Mario Miscione, Marcella Ochoa – Madres Monique N. Matthew – A Holiday in Harlem Sameer Gardezi – Hot Mess Holiday Sherman Payne – Black as Night

Overall Acting

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-series)	Outstanding Guest Actor or Actress in a Television Series
Miles Brown – Black-ish Alayah "That Girl Lay Lay" High – That Girl Lay Lay Celina Smith – Annie Live! Elisha 'EJ' Williams – The Wonder Years Eris Baker – This Is Us	Maya Rudolph – Saturday Night Live Alani "La La" Anthony – The Chi Christina Elmore – Insecure Daniel Kaluuya – Saturday Night Live Erika Alexander – Run the World

Reality and Variety

Outstanding Talk Series	Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition Series or Game Show
Red Table Talk Desus & Mero Hart to Heart Tamron Hall The Real	Wild 'n Out Celebrity Family Feud Iyanla: Fix My Life Sweet Life: Los Angeles The Voice
Outstanding News / Information – (Series or Special)	Outstanding Host in a Talk or News / Information (Series or Special)
The ReidOut Blood on Black Wall Street: The Legacy of the Tulsa Massacre NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt Soul of a Nation Unsung	Jada Pinkett Smith, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, Willow Smith – Red Table Talk Joy Reid – The Reidout Daniel "Desus Nice" Baker, Joel "The Kid Mero" Martinez – Desus & Mero Garcelle Beauvais, Adrienne Bailon, Loni Love, Jeannie Mai – The Real LeBron James – The Shop: Uninterrupted
Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)	Outstanding Host in a Reality, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special)
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah A Black Lady Sketch Show BET Awards 2021 Dave Chappelle: The Closer Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3	Trevor Noah – The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Alfonso Ribeiro – America's Funniest Home Videos Amber Ruffin – The Amber Ruffin Show Cedric the Entertainer – 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards Iyanla Vanzant – Iyanla: Fix My Life

Other categories

Outstanding Short-Form Series (Drama or Comedy)	Outstanding Short-Form Series – Reality/Nonfiction
Between the Scenes – The Daily Show Dark Humor Della Mae The Disney Launchpad: Shorts Incubator Two Sides: Unfaithful	Lynching Postcards: Token of a Great Day Life By The Horns Memory Builds The Monument Widen the Screen: 8:46 Films Through Our Eyes: Shelter
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)	Outstanding Children's Program
Angel Kristi Williams – Colin in Black & White Cierra Glaude – Queen Sugar Deborah Riley Draper – The Legacy of Black Wall Street Halcyon Person – Karma's World Quyen Tran – Maid	Family Reunion Ada Twist, Scientist Karma's World Raven's Home Waffles + Mochi
Outstanding Animated Series	Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)
We the People Big Mouth Peanut Headz: Black History Toonz Super Sema Yasuke	Cree Summer – Rugrats Angela Bassett – Malika: The Lion Queen Billy Porter – Fairfax Ludacris – Karma's World Keke Palmer – Big Mouth

Recording

Outstanding Album	Outstanding New Artist
Heaux Tales – Jazmine Sullivan An Evening with Silk Sonic – Silk Sonic Back of My Mind – H.E.R. Certified Lover Boy – Drake When It's All Said and Done... Take Time – Giveon	Saweetie Cynthia Erivo Jimmie Allen Tems Zoe Wees
Outstanding Male Artist	Outstanding Female Artist
Anthony Hamilton Drake Giveon J. Cole Lil Nas X	Jazmine Sullivan H.E.R. Ari Lennox Beyoncé Chlöe
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)	Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)
Leave the Door Open – Silk Sonic Superstar – Anthony Hamilton feat. Jennifer Hudson Georgia on my Mind – Chloe x Halle Girl like Me – Jazmine Sullivan feat. H.E.R. Complicated (Remix) – Leela James feat. Anthony Hamilton	Fye Fye – Tobe Nwigwe feat. Fat Nwigwe Go Crazy (Remix) – Chris Brown feat. Young Thug, Future, Lil Durk and Latto Kiss Me More – Doja Cat feat. SZA Way 2 Sexy – Drake feat. Young Thug and Future Come Through – H.E.R. feat. Chris Brown
Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album	Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album
Essence – Wizkid feat. Tems Best Friend – Saweetie feat. Doja Cat Fye Fye – Tobe Nwigwe feat. Fat Nwigwe Have Mercy – Chlöe Leave the Door Open – Silk Sonic	The Harder They Fall Soundtrack – Jay-Z, Jeymes Samuel Coming 2 America Soundtrack – Eddie Murphy, Craig Brewer, Kevin Misher, Randy Spendlove, Jeff Charleston Judas and the Black Messiah Soundtrack – Mark Isham, Craig Harris Respect Soundtrack – Jason Michael Webb, Stephen Bray The United States vs. Billie Holiday Soundtrack – Salaam Remi, Andra Day, Raphael Saadiq, Warren Felder
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album	Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song
Overcomer – Tamela Mann Anthems & Glory – Todd Dulaney Believe For It – CeCe Winans Jonny x Mali: Live in L.A. – Jonathan McReynolds, Mali Music Power – Jason McGee, The Choir	Help Me – Tamela Mann feat. The Fellas Believe For It – CeCe Winans Hold Us Together (Hope Mix) – H.E.R. and Tauren Wells Overcome 2021 – Kirk Franklin Time for Reparations – Sounds of Blackness
Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental	Outstanding Jazz Album – Vocal
Sounds from the Ancestors – Kenny Garrett Forever...Jaz – Jazmin Ghent Love Languages – Nathan Mitchell Somewhere Different – Brandee Younger The Magic of Now – Orrin Evans	Generations – The Baylor Project Dear Love – Jazzmeia Horn and Her Noble Force Ledisi Sings Nina – Ledisi Let There Be Love – Freda Payne SALSWING! – Rubén Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Outstanding Soul/R&B Song	Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song
Pick Up Your Feelings – Jazmine Sullivan Damage – H.E.R. Be Alive – Beyoncé Have Mercy – Chlöe Leave the Door Open – Silk Sonic	Fye Fye – Tobe Nwigwe feat. Fat Nwigwe Best Friend – Saweetie feat. Doja Cat Industry Baby – Lil Nas X feat. Jack Harlow My Life – J. Cole, 21 Savage, Morray Way 2 Sexy – Drake
Outstanding International Song
Essence – Wizkid feat. Tems and Justin Bieber Peru – Fireboy DML Somebody's Son – Tiwa Savage feat. Brandy Touch It – KiDi Understand – Omah Lay

Podcast and social media

Outstanding News and Information Podcast	Outstanding Lifestyle/Self-Help Podcast
Blindspot: Tulsa Burning #SundayCivics After the Uprising: The Death of Danyé Dion Jones Into America Un(re)solved	Two Funny Mamas: Sherri Shepherd & Kym Whitley – Sherri Shepherd, Kym Whitley Checking in with Michelle Williams – Michelle Williams The Homecoming Podcast with Dr. Thema – Thema Bryant The SonRise Project Podcast – Kelli Richardson Lawson Under Construction w/ Tamar Braxton – Tamar Braxton
Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast	Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast
Jemele Hill is Unbothered Beyond the Scenes – The Daily Show Professional Troublemaker Questlove Supreme Super Soul Podcast	Jemele Hill is Unbothered Club Shay Shay podcast with Shannon Sharpe Questlove Supreme Reasonably Shady The History of Sketch Comedy with Keegan-Michael Key
Social Media Personality of the Year
Eunique Jones Gibson Kevin Frederick Laron Hines Lanae Vanee Terrell Grice RackaRacka

Literary

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction	Outstanding Literary Work – Nonfiction
Long Division – Kiese Laymon Harlem Shuffle – Colson Whitehead Libertie – Kaitlyn Greenidge The Man Who Lived Underground – Richard Wright The Perishing – Natashia Deón	The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story – Nikole Hannah-Jones Dance Theatre of Harlem – Judy Tyrus, Paul Novosel Just As I Am – Cicely Tyson My Remarkable Journey – Katherine Johnson Renegades: Born in the USA – Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen
Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author	Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography
Just As I Am – Cicely Tyson My Remarkable Journey – Katherine Johnson Other Black Girl: A Novel – Zakiya Dalila Harris The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois – Honorée Fanonne Jeffers Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts – Rebecca Hall	Will – Will Smith Just As I Am – Cicely Tyson Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement – Tarana Burke Unprotected: A Memoir – Billy Porter Until I Am Free – Keisha N. Blain
Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional	Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
Feeding the Soul (Because It's My Business) – Tabitha Brown Diversity Is Not Enough: A Roadmap to Recruit, Develop and Promote Black Leaders in America – Keith Wyche Permission to Dream – Chris Gardner Teaching Black History to White People – Leonard N. Moore The Conversation: How Seeking and Speaking the Truth About Racism Can Radically Transform Individuals and Organizations – Robert Livingston	Perfect Black – Crystal Wilkinson Playlist for the Apocalypse – Rita Dove Such Color: New and Selected Poems – Tracy K. Smith The Wild Fox of Yemen – Threa Almontaser What Water Knows: Poems – Jacqueline Jones LaMon
Outstanding Literary Work – Children	Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
Stacey's Extraordinary Words – Stacey Abrams, Kit Thomas Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy – Misty Copeland Change Sings – Amanda Gorman, Loren Long Time for Bed, Old House – Janet Costa Bates, A.G. Ford When Langston Dances – Kaija Langley, Keith Mallett	Ace of Spades – Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé Happily Ever Afters – Elise Bryant The Cost of Knowing – Brittney Morris When You Look Like Us – Pamela N. Harris Wings of Ebony – J. Elle