The 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards takes place February 22nd and will honor a host off qualified individuals.
The Wayans family have been making us laugh for almost 45 years and will soon be joining the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame. This is given to groups or individuals who have been pioneers in their respective fields. The Wayans family will be just the fourth act to be given this honor mainly for their comedic works. Richard Pryor (1996), Bill Cosby (2007), and family friend Eddie Murphy, the latest in 2021.
Keenen Ivory Wayans kicked off the comedy revolution first, beginning his stand-up career in the late 70s. He quickly befriended other young black comics at that time including Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall and Robert Townsend. Keenen and Townsend would work on and create classics like Hollywood Shuffle, Eddie Murphy Raw, The Five Heartbeats, and the comedy special Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime, a precursor to In Living Color. More on that later … Damon Wayans followed big brother quickly and became one of the hottest young stand-up comics in the country and even performed on Saturday Night Live for a short stint. Sister Kim had a supporting role on the NBC sitcom A Different World early on in the series. Youngest brothers Shawn and Marlon worked as a duo on many projects like The Wayans Bros TV show and the Scary Movie franchise. But the project they all worked on together is the groundbreaking sketch show on Fox, created and led by Keenen, In Living Color. Besides the family, the series is also responsible for Jim Carrey, Jennifer Lopez, Tommy Davidson, David Alan Grier, and Jamie Foxx becoming stars in Hollywood.
The second generation of the Wayans family is keeping the legacy alive for years to come. Damon Jr currently stars with his father on what else, Poppa’s House. Damien Dante Wayans directed the family comedy, Dance Flick, and along with Craig Wayans starred in the BET series Second Generation Wayans. Other members acting and writing include Michael Wayans, Chaunte Wayans, and Gregg Wayans.
Like the Wayans, Dave Chappelle also made his mark in the world of comedy, first doing stand-up and later on sketch comedy. Chappelle’s Show, like In Living Color, was the show to watch. Pop culture skits and thought-provoking sketches dominated both comedy series. After a hiatus from the public eye, Dave came back with a vengeance releasing multiple Netflix stand-up comedy specials in the past decade. Dave will be honored with the President’s Award. Recipients in previous years include Muhammad Ali, Jay-Z, Spike Lee, Jesse Jackson, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Rihanna, LeBron James, Kerry Washington, Lauryn Hill, and the husband/wife duo Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade.
Speaking of presidents, former Vice President Kamala Harris will be awarded the Chairman Award. Harris had an extraordinaire 2024, running for president of the United States of America. These persons are selected as individuals who excel in public service. Barack Obama, Cathy Hughes, Forest Whitaker, and Janet Jackson are just a few of the winners over the years.
The Vanguard Award for Fashion will be awarded to Essence Communication, Inc. Essence began as a magazine publication in 1970, and branched off into awards shows and the top-rated Essence Festival.
Rounding out the honorees is the founder of #WinWithBlackWomen, JoTaka Eaddy. She will take home the Mildred Bond Roxborough Social Justice Impact Award. Quincy Jones, Maxine Waters, John Lewis, and Stacey Abrams are a few of the previous winners.
This 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards will be filled with entertainment as always and hosted by Novi Brown and Trevor Jackson. Kendrick Lamar, fresh off the Super Bowl halftime show is up for Entertainer of the Year along with Keke Palmer, Kevin Hart, Shannon Sharpe, and Cynthia Erivo.
Kendrick along with Ayo Edebiri, Doechii, GloRilla, Keke Palmer, Usher, and the film The Piano Lesson top the nominees for awards.
The 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards is set to air on CBS and BET, live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California. The show kicks off at 8 PM EST.
