Queen Latifah is set to return as the host for this year’s NAACP Image Awards. The star-studded event, airing live on March 16 at 8 p.m. ET on BET and CBS, will not only celebrate outstanding achievements in the entertainment industry but also honor influential figures such as poet Amanda Gorman and fashion icon June Ambrose.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with groundbreaking megastar Queen Latifah and are elated to welcome her again as this year’s host,” stated Connie Orlando, evp of specials, music programming & music strategy at BET. “We also look forward to honoring changemaker and poet Amanda Gorman and fashion icon June Ambrose for their tremendous impact on culture.”
Queen Latifah previously hosted the ceremony in 2023, a year that saw Angela Bassett crowned Entertainer of the Year. This year’s ceremony promises to be equally memorable, with Amanda Gorman receiving the prestigious Chairman’s Award. This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exemplary public service and use their platforms to effect positive change. Past recipients include notable figures like U.S. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, Samuel L. Jackson, and the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis.
“Amanda Gorman stands as one of the brightest young voices in our nation and has emerged as a formidable force inspiring a new generation of leaders towards transformative change through her advocacy efforts and poetic brilliance,” praised Leon W. Russell, chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors.
June Ambrose, renowned for her contributions to fashion and design, will be honored with the Vanguard Award during the Image Awards Fashion Show on Friday, March 15. Ambrose, currently known as the creative director of Puma, has played a pivotal role in shaping the visual landscape of pop culture and advocating for diversity and inclusion in the world of fashion and entertainment.
“The NAACP Image Awards is an important celebration for our community and industry every year,” said Derrick Johnson, the President and CEO of the NAACP. “We get the opportunity to highlight the major accomplishments of artists, writers, entertainers, activists, and other change makers that push Black excellence forward in a powerful way.”
The Color Purple leads the nominations this year, competing for 16 awards, followed by A Thousand and One and Creed III, each up for seven, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, up for six. As the anticipation builds, the 55th NAACP Image Awards promises to be a night filled with recognition, celebration, and a tribute to the outstanding contributions of Black talent in Hollywood.