NAACP AND BET MEDIA GROUP DELIVERED AN UNFORGETTABLE CELEBRATION OF BLACK EXCELLENCE AT THE “56TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS”

THE INDUSTRY’S PREMIERE CELEBRATION OF BLACK EXCELLENCE HONORED FORMER VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS, THE WAYANS FAMILY,  DAVE CHAPPELLE, BET MEDIA GROUP FOR 45 YEARS OF ENTERTAINMENT & COMMUNITY IMPACT AND KEKE PALMER AS ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

NEARLY THREE MILLION P2+ TOTAL VIEWERS ACROSS BET MEDIA GROUP

THE “56TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS” WAS THE #1 MOST SOCIAL PROGRAM OF THE NIGHT WITH OVER 2 MILLION INTERACTIONS

(“56TH NAACP Image Awards” host Deon Cole at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

Los Angeles (February 27, 2025) – NAACP and BET Media Group delivered an unforgettable celebration of Black excellence at the “56th NAACP Image Awards”, honoring individuals whose contributions continue to uplift and empower the Black community. From Former Vice President Kamala Harris’ rallying call for civic engagement to the Wayans family’s multigenerational influence on comedy, the night was a testament to the legacy and future of Black excellence. Dave Chappelle’s fearless artistry and BET Media Group’s 45-year mission to champion Black stories reinforced a well-known truth: Black voices matter, Black talent is unstoppable, and Black culture drives the world forward. The live event dominated the evening with a turnout of nearly three million P2+ Total Viewers*, underscoring the commitment of NAACP and BET to celebrate and uplift Black voices.

President & CEO Scott Mills of BET Media Group remarked, “The NAACP Image Awards continues to be a vital platform for celebrating the depth and breadth of Black excellence. This year’s show reinforced the importance of representation in media and the power of storytelling to uplift and empower our community. BET Media Group is proud to partner with the NAACP in this legacy of amplifying Black voices, and we remain committed to telling the stories that shape culture and inspire future generations.”

• The Awards drew nearly three MM Total Viewers P2+ (EDAC),* as it was simulcast LIVE across 11 Paramount networks, including CBS, BET Her, VH1, MTV, MTV2, Pop, TV Land, LOGO, Comedy Central, and Smithsonian, along with the pre-show and next-day encore.
• The show captivated audiences across all TV, and cable, securing its position as the #1 most social program of the night, excluding sports (2/25/25).** 
• On social, the show generated more than 2 million social interactions across Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube**, a testament to the enduring relevance and resonance of the NAACP Image Awards. 
• The NAACP Red Carpet Live was the #2 most social special program on TV across BET, VH1, and BET Her.**

From the heartfelt humor of Damon and Marlon Wayans’ reflections on their family’s journey from humble beginnings to a multigenerational comedic dynasty to Kerry Washington’s emphatic and timely speech for her Outstanding Actress win for “The Six Triple Eight” to Former Vice President Kamala Harris’ resounding speech that uplifted and challenged the audience ”to stay alert, to seek the truth, and to actively participate in the fight for America’s future,” the evening’s program left an indelible impression on all who were able to witness.  

The awards ceremony concluded with a rousing finale speech from Keke Palmer, who was honored with the prestigious Entertainer of the Year award nearly 18 years after her first NAACP Image Award win in 2007.

The winners, clips, and photos for the “56th NAACP Image Awards” can be found here.

Instagram: @naacpimageawards |X: @naacpimageaward | Facebook: /naacpimageaward

*Source: Nielsen (Live + Same Day)
**Source: Talkwalker SCR, excludes sports, 2.25.25. 

About NAACP
The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st-century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP–LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.

 About BET Media Group
The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA), is the world’s largest media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture. Connecting Black audiences through a portfolio of brands including BET, BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, the BET Media Group is a thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international. For more information about BET, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For more BET news announcements, visit betpressroom.com.

NAACP Image Awards Media Contacts:
Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis | NAACPImageAwards@ssmandl.com
Chloe Duverge | chloe.duverge@bet.net
Aaron Bastian |  aaron.bastian@bet.net
Ariana Drummond | ImagePublicist@naacpnet.org