LOS ANGELES (February 21, 2025) - BET and the NAACP have unveiled the star-studded lineup of presenters for the “56th NAACP Image Awards,” featuring Aldis Hodge & Edwin Hodge, Chlöe, Clifton Davis & Karla Mosley, Danielle Deadwyler, David Alan Grier, Don Cheadle, Ego Nwodim, Gabrielle Union, George Wallace, Harold Perrineau, Janelle James, Jay Ellis, Jurnee Smollett, Keke Palmer, Laverne Cox, LL COOL J, Morris Chestnut, Shannon Sharpe, and Taraji P. Henson.

GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Ledisi, accompanied by the Adam Blackstone Band, is set to deliver a special performance. The evening will be hosted by acclaimed comedian, actor, and writer Deon Cole and will air live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Saturday, February 22, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET and will simulcast on CBS, BET Her, VH1, MTV, MTV2, Pop, TV Land, Logo, Comedy Central, Smithsonian. MC Lyte will return as in show announcer.

The broadcast will be extended to 2.5 hours, delivering an unforgettable tribute to Black excellence in entertainment, culture, and activism.

The celebration kicks off LIVE at 7 PM ET on BET, BET Her, and VH1 with the “56th NAACP Image Awards” Red Carpet Live, hosted by Terrence J, Chlöe, Novi Brown, and Jessie Woo. Matasa Williams will return as Red Carpet Live executive producer.

This year’s distinguished honorees include Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who is receiving the Chairman’s Award; Dave Chappelle, who will be honored with the President’s Award; The Wayans Family, NAACP Hall of Fame inductees, and BET Media Group, recipient of the prestigious Founders Award.

The NAACP and BET will honor Altadena residents impacted by the recent wildfires with a special tribute, and DJ D-Nice will honor music legend the late Quincy Jones.

BET and the NAACP remain committed to celebrating Black excellence and resilience through the “56th NAACP Image Awards.” Their support extends to the Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Pasadena communities affected by the recent wildfires. As part of these efforts, BET Media Group, NAACP, JSSK, and WME have partnered with LA County and in collaboration with local community organizations such as Community Aid Dena, Altadena Heritage, and WalkGood LA, to launch the Altadena Community Preservation Fund, aimed at protecting homeowners from displacement and preserving the community’s cultural heritage.

Globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural award shows, the “56th NAACP Image Awards” will continue a tradition of excellence, uplifting values that inspire equality, justice, and progressive change, and highlighting artists committed to that purpose.

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 Ava DuVernay, Gabrielle Union, Dwayne Wade, Courtney B. Vance, Sherri Shepherd, Colman Domingo, Mike Epps, Keke Palmer, Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia, Danielle Brooks, Usher, Tyler Perry, Angela Bassett, Damson Idris, Michelle Buteau, Victoria Monét, Viola Davis, Beyoncé, Nicco Annan, Ruth E. Carter, Glynn Turman, Quinta Brunson, Nia Long, Keith David, Jennifer Hudson, Stacey Abrams, Tabitha Brown, Erica Campbell, Chris Brown, 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.

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

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