ABOUT THE NAACP IMAGE AWARDS

The resolution maintained that such programs “depicted black people in a stereotypical a nd de ro ga to ry manner, and the practice of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, persons, or firms sponsoring or promoting this show, or other shows of this type are condemned.”

Issues of minority representation in the film and telev ision industries co n tinue, with the dearth of employment opportunities bein g chief, as greater inclusion behind the scenes is c ertain to ar re st th e longstanding problem. Despite the monumental events that had taken place in the movements for equal education, voting rights, women’s rights and employment, th e entertainment industry r emain s deficient in adequately reforming its business practices in ways that will lead to meaningful and progressive change.

History Of The Naacp Image Awards

From its inception in 1909, the NAACP has been at the fo re front of th e struggle to achieve a fair, just, and equitable society. In this tradition, the Beverly Hills/ Hollywood Branch of the NAACP was founded in 1962 and heralded as the first branch of the NAACP to specifically address racism experienced by African Americans in the entertainment industry

Almost immediately, the branch hosted a dinner in the Coconut Grove Ballroom of the Ambassador Hotel, in Los Angeles, on October 22, 1962. The evening was dedicated to honoring Sammy Davis Jr., who had loaned his Beverly Hills home to the branch , which made it possible to establish the Beverly Hills/Hollywood charter. Davis was also fete d for his tireless work to obtain fair employment for African-American ente rtainers in Hollywood, and f or h is financia l support.

Five years later, under the leadership of then-Br anch President Don Lanclos, a co mmittee of en te rtainment pr ofessional s conceptualized an awards show that would celebrate the achievements of Af r ican-American artists and professionals w ho we re lar gely ov erlooked by mainstr eam H ollywo od. Th e sh ow would a lso h onor others wor king to change Af rican-American images in Hollywood.

Toni Vaz made a motion to name the sh ow the I mage Awards. Maggie Hathaway supported the motion, and the NA ACP Image Aw ards wa s officially ratified. On February 4, 1967, 200 guests arrived at the Beverly Hilton Hotel to honor Sidney Poitier and nominees in two categoriesMotion Pictures and Television.

Now spanning 76 cate gories, th e NAAC P Image Awards celeb rate s excellence in t he arts, ac ro ss the spectrum of film, television, music, and literature. The franchise a lso honors individuals and groups who champion the causes of civil rights and social justice. Special honorees, including the Chairman’s Award, the President ’s Award, the Va nguard Award, the Jackie Robinson Sports Award and the NAACP Image Awards H all of F ame ex to l exce ptional individuals a nd organizations fo r distinguished public service.

Prior Hall of Fame inductees include groundbreaking filmmakerphotographer Gordon Parks (1984) and trailblazing talk show host, actress, and OWN network founder Oprah Winfrey (2005). Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder received the Chairman’s Aw ard in 2015 , renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg was hono re d with the Vanguard Award during the 31st ceremony in 2000, and este emed actress and activist Ke rry Wa shington wa s presented with the President’s Award during the 44th ceremony in 2013.

At the 36th NAACP Image Awards in 2005, beloved civil rights icon and former NAACP Chairman Julian Bond presented then-Senator Barack Obama with the Chairman’s Award.

Powerful media institutions distribute persuasive messaging and imagery throughout the world, influencing pe rceptions, shaping beliefs, and inducing consequential behavior Similarly, re adily a cce ssible socia l media platforms empower individuals to amplify polarizing opinions that stoke discord and division. The need has never been greater to spotlight works that foster greater collective empathy and heighten mutual interests and understanding.

Naacp Image Awards Broadcast

T he NA ACP Image Aw ards wa s initially broadcast locally in Lo s Angeles on KHJ-TV (currently known as KCAL-TV).

In an effort to make all of America awa re of the diverse talents and contributions of African Americans in the entertainment industry, Willis Edwar ds, t hen-president of th e Beverly Hills/Hollywood Branch of the NAACP, persuaded then-president of NBC, Brandon Tartikoff, to broadcast the 19th NAACP Image Awards, which was held at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on December 14, 1986. The network initially aired the show in a late-night slot, but in subsequent ye a rs, audiences enjoyed the show during primetime, on both NBC and Fox.

From 2014 – 2018, the NA AC P partnered with TV One to air the Image Awards, marking a five-year collaboration with the Black-owned cable n etwork. This m ulti-laye re d relationship helped to expand the visibility of t he NAAC P and b ring attention to its key message of promoting polititical, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens in this country.

For the fourth straight year, this 54th NAACP Image Awards will broadcast live on BET Networks and will be simulcast on CBS, on Satu rday, February 25, 2023.

The Naacp Hollywood Bureau

W hen the t elevision netw orks unveiled their 1999-2000 fall season lineup of 26 new shows with zero actors of color in starring or leading roles, the NAACP initiated an ongoing campaign not only to address the lack of minority representation on TV, but also the lack of employment opportunities for all people of color behind the scenes.

As a result, in 1999, the networks signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NAACP and its Coalition partners. The purpose of the Coalition is to advance the cause of di ve rsity in the entertainment industry and create milestones by which to measure future progress in Holly wo od Additionally, this historic agreement focused on implementing initiatives ac ro ss all areas of o per a tions Members of the Coalition include the NAACP, Asian Pacific American Media C oalition, National Latino Medi a Coalition and American Indians in Film and Television.

Soon after the signing of the MOU, then-Pr e sident Mfume became convinced it was the right time to create an official NAACP Hollywood entity to better support and pursue a standing diversity initiative Thus, the NA AC P H ollywood Bu re au wa s launched.

Established in 2002, the Bureau is charged with holding the entertainment industry accountable for advancing diversity in front of and behind the lens.

The Bu re au leads the way in th e NA AC P’ s proud tr a dition of monitoring the media as a form of social advocac y. Aside fr om managing the NAACP Image Awards, the Bureau consistently meets with movie studios, networks, guilds, labor unions and others in pursuit of more diverse programming and greater employment opportunities for people of color across the entertainment industry.

And while much progress has been made, there is still much to do. NAACP Image Aw ards r ecipient Ke rr y Wa shington co mmunica te d t his sentiment beautifully as she accepted her President’s Award honor onstage at the 45th gala in 2014, “Just as we must ensure that ‘We, the people’ includes all Americans regardless of ra ce , class, gender and se x ual orientation, we must also work to ensure that the stories we tell, the movies we make, the television we produce, the theatre we stage, the novels we publish are inclusive in all those same ways.”

Considering the diverse roots of the NA AC P’ s f ounders – a grou p of White, Je w ish an d African-American men and women who were inspired to action by the 1908 race riot in President Abraham Lincoln’s hometown of Springfield, Illinois — it is fitting that the NAACP Image Awards continues its work towa r ds greater inclusion fo r all members of the creativ e communities, and better quality news and entertainment programming for the audiences they serve each and every day.