"55th NAACP Image Awards" Presenters and Performer Announced

CBS Returns as Esteemed Broadcast Simulcast Partner

The NAACP and BET revealed their cavalcade of 55TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS A-list presenters, including Delroy Lindo, Deon Cole, Diarra Kilpatrick, Donnie Wahlberg, Erika Alexander, Idris Elba, Jeffrey Wright, Keke Palmer, Kenya Barris, Kerry Washington, Leslie Jones, Lil Rel Howery, Morris Chestnut, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Sabrina Elba, Sterling K. Brown and Taraji P. Henson. Multi-platinum vocalist, GRAMMY® winner and Academy Award nominee Andra Day will perform. GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist, critically acclaimed Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winning and Academy Award-nominated actor and producer Queen Latifah (series star/executive producer of THE EQUALIZER, CBS) will return to host the prestigious 55TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS airing LIVE on Saturday, March 16, 7:00-9:00 PM,  Central on CBS Lake Charles.

For the first time in BET history, BET and the NAACP will broaden access to this year’s 55TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS by providing audio descriptions for the live telecast. This addition ensures that blind and visually impaired viewers will be able to take in all the action occurring on the screen and provides a much richer experience of the event. Industry leaders VITAC and Audio Eyes will provide the audio description on the Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) channel.

Previously announced 55TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS honorees include poet laureate Amanda Gorman, who will be honored with the prestigious Chairman’s Award, and R&B supergroup New Edition, who will receive the Hall of Fame Award.

The 55TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS is proudly presented by this year’s incredible partners and sponsors, including Wells Fargo, Google, Bank of America, Gushers, FedEx, Airbnb, Amazon, Diageo, Denny’s, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines.

BET Media Group will premiere a special edition of popular digital series “For the Fellas” to celebrate the 55TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS and Women’s History Month. D.C. Young Fly, Malcolm Mays, and Lenny S. will discuss their love for Black women, experiences in Hollywood and how to cope with depression. #ForTheFellas provides a safe space for men to engage in honest dialogue and share their experiences with our viewers. “For The Fellas” premieres Friday, March 15 on BET’s Official Facebook and YouTube channels.

BET Jams and BET Soul join the celebration with 55TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS themed music video blocks and additional music content; check local listings.

Globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural award shows, the 55TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS will continue its tradition of excellence, uplifting values that inspire equality, justice and progressive change, and highlighting artists committed to these values.

The NAACP will also recognize winners in non-televised Image Awards categories from March 11-13 on www.naacpimageawards.net, during the awards dinner on March 14 and fashion show on March 15. For information and updates, please follow NAACP Image Awards on Instagram @NAACPImageAwards.

One of the most iconic annual celebrations of Black excellence, the NAACP Image Awards draws the biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood. Previous years’ attendees and winners include Angela Bassett, Zendaya, Will Smith, Viola Davis, Beyoncé, Nicco Annan, Ruth E. Carter, Glynn Turman, Quinta Brunson, Nia Long, Keith David, Jennifer Hudson, Stacey Abrams, Tabitha Brown, Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union, Tems, Erica Campbell, Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak, Silk Sonic, Rihanna, Quavo, Takeoff, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Zendaya, Yara Shahidi, Issa Rae, Janelle Monáe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Serena Williams, Kerry Washington, Method Man, Dominique Thorne, Austin Scott, Tyler James Williams, Kyla Pratt, Jabari Banks and many more.