Emotions ran high at the 56th NAACP Image Awards as Ebony Obsidian, best known for her role as Karen on “Tyler Perry’s Sistas,” took home not one, but two prestigious awards. The rising star was honored as Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture and Best Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture — both for her role in The Six Triple Eight, a powerful historical drama directed by Tyler Perry and Kerry Washington.
The event, held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 22, was a grand celebration of Black excellence in entertainment, music, and media. Airing on BET and simulcast across VH1, MTV, CBS, BET Pop, TV Land, Logo, Comedy Central, and Smithsonian, the night was filled with unforgettable moments and historic wins.
Taraji P. Henson’s Winning Streak Continues
Of course, Taraji P. Henson remained unstoppable, securing yet another win as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Television Series, Special, or Movie for her riveting performance in Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist. But the Empire star didn’t stop there — she also made waves in the literary world, winning an NAACP Image Award for her children’s book, You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!): A Lil TJ Book.
A Night of Black Excellence
The 2025 NAACP Image Awards honored some of the biggest names in the industry, celebrating the power of storytelling and representation. With trailblazing wins, emotional speeches, and a star-studded guest list, this year’s ceremony proved once again why the NAACP Image Awards remain one of the most important nights in entertainment.
Big wins in film and television
The film The Six Triple Eight won Outstanding Motion Picture, joining past winners like For Colored Girls (2011). Hollywood powerhouses Denzel Washington, Ryan Coogler, and Taylor Hackford have now each directed two NAACP Image Award-winning films.
Blue Ivy Carter won Outstanding Character Voice Performance (Motion Picture) for her role in Mufasa: The Lion King, while Malcolm Washington, son of Denzel Washington, won Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture) for The Piano Lesson. Denzel himself won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for Gladiator II.
The BET Media Group was honored with the NAACP Founders Award.
Jamie Foxx’s Emotional Return
Jamie Foxx’s Netflix special “What Had Happened Was…” won Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special). The special revealed details about his April 2023 health emergency, where he suffered a brain bleed that led to a stroke and hospitalization. His resilience and storytelling in the special deeply resonated with audiences and voters alike.
Who were your favorite winners of the night? Let us know in the comments!
