NAACP Image Awards Winners List: Michelle Obama, Kendrick Lamar Halftime

Variety

by Angelique Jackson

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The NAACP Image Awards kicked off their 57th annual ceremony with notable wins for Michelle Obama and Kendrick Lamar. Former first lady Michelle Obama claimed the award for outstanding literary work biography/autobiography for her book *“The Look,”* which chronicles her fashion journey from her time in the White House to her post-political life. Meanwhile, Lamar’s explosive Super Bowl halftime performance earned him the honor of outstanding short-form series or special – reality/nonfiction/documentary. Both artists have previously won awards at the NAACP Image Awards: Obama for her memoir *“Becoming”* in 2019, and Lamar with nine trophies, including two for his 2025 anthem *“Not Like Us.”* The ceremony marked a first for the NAACP Image Awards by introducing a gaming category, which Berlin Edmond Jr., known as Berleezy, won. The event also highlighted literary achievements across various genres, recognizing works like Juanita Tolliver’s *“A More Perfect Party: The Night Shirley Chisholm & Diahann Carroll Reshaped Politics”* for outstanding literary work non-fiction and Charles B. Fancher’s debut novel *“Red Clay.”* In the realm of entertainment, the ceremony emphasized its commitment to celebrating diverse voices in film, television, music, literature, and digital content. The three-night virtual event, hosted by Angel “ThatChickAngel” Laketa Moore and Khleo Thomas, featured a pre-show focusing on literary categories and digital content creators. The main awards show will air live on BET and CBS on February 28, with Deon Cole returning as host. This year’s nominees for Entertainer of the Year include Cynthia Erivo, Doechii, Lamar, Michael B. Jordan, and Teyana Taylor. Special honorees include Viola Davis receiving the Chairman’s Award and Colman Domingo being honored with the President’s Award. The ceremony also recognized groundbreaking works like Ryan Coogler’s *“Sinners”* and the Peacock series *“Bel-Air,”* which led nominations in their respective categories. The NAACP Image Awards’ expansion into gaming and its continued focus on celebrating Black excellence make it a significant platform for highlighting underrepresented voices in entertainment. With its virtual format and new initiatives, the event underscores its role as a key celebration of diversity and achievement in the industry, offering fans a glimpse into the latest trends and

Verticals

entertainmentfilm

Originally published on Variety on 2/24/2026