A Night That Held Us: Inside the NAACP Image Awards

NAACP Image Award winners Ebony Obsidian and Kerry Washington celebrate The Six Triple Eight at the ceremony. Photo: Getty Images

The 2025 NAACP Image Awards reminded us that celebration can feel like a warm letter from home. Beyond the trophies and speeches, the night carried a sense of ease and familiarity, the kind that settles in your chest and lets you exhale. It was joy shaped by shared history, laughter, and pride.

These are some of the moments that held us close during the 2025 NAACP Image Awards.

Keke Palmer Wins Entertainer of the Year

Palmer accepts Entertainer of the Year and brings the room with her, celebrating the moment through a joyful Cynthia Erivo impression.

The Six Triple Eight Wins the Night

The Six Triple Eight emerged as one of the most celebrated films of the night, winning five awards at the 56th NAACP Image Awards in February 2025 and dominating the film categories.

The Netflix film, directed by Tyler Perry, took home Outstanding Motion Picture, along with Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for Kerry Washington. Ebony Obsidian earned both Outstanding Supporting Actress and Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, while the cast collectively was honored with Outstanding Ensemble.

The Wayans Family Inducted Into the Hall of Fame

The 56th NAACP Image Awards made space for legacy, laughter, and lineage as the Wayans family was officially inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame.

For decades, the Wayans family has shaped comedy on their own terms, pushing boundaries while opening doors for generations of Black creators. From sketch comedy and sitcoms to film and cultural satire, their influence is woven into the fabric of modern entertainment.