LOS ANGELES (February 23, 2026) – Tonight, the NAACP kicked-off night one of the “57th NAACP Image Awards” virtual show announcing the first round of winners in the non-televised literary, short-form, and creator award categories.

Press Release

Press Releases

February 23, 2026

NAACP IMAGE AWARDS ANNOUNCES FIRST ROUND OF WINNERS DURING THE “57TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS” VIRTUAL SHOW

NIGHT ONE WINNERS INCLUDE MICHELLE OBAMA, WILL PACKER, ANGIE THOMAS, THE APPLE MUSIC SUPER BOWL LIX HALFTIME SHOW STARRING KENDRICK LAMAR, KEITH LEE AND MORE

HOSTED BY ANGEL “ThatChickAngel” LAKETA MOORE AND KHLEO THOMAS

LOS ANGELES (February 23, 2026) – Tonight, the NAACP kicked-off night one of the “57th NAACP Image Awards” virtual show announcing the first round of winners in the non-televised literary, short-form, and creator award categories. The three-night virtual event, hosted by Angel “ThatChickAngel” Laketa Moore and Khleo Thomas aired exclusively on YouTube/NAACPPlus inviting NAACP Image Awards fans to experience three nights of culture, comedy, and celebrating Black achievement and excellence.

Tonight’s winners included Michelle Obama for Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography; Juanita Tolliver for Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction; Will Packer for Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional; Anissa Durham for Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism; Angie Thomas for Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens; “The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Starring Kendrick Lamar” for Outstanding Short-Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction/Documentary; Keith Lee for Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Fitness/Wellness/Food, and more.

The “57th NAACP Image Awards” will air LIVE on Saturday, February 28th at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET and CBS.

The full list of winners from night one can be found below:

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography

“The Look” – Michelle Obama (Crown)

Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction

“A More Perfect Party: The Night Shirley Chisholm & Diahann Carroll Reshaped Politics” – Juanita Tolliver (Legacy Lit/Hachette Book Group)

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional

“Who Better Than You?” – Will Packer (Penguin Random House)

Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism

“On Borrowed Time” – Anissa Durham (Online)

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
Charles B. Fancher – “Red Clay” (Blackstone Publishing)

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction

“Death of the Author” – Nnedi Okorafor (William Morrow)

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry

“The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems” – Patricia Smith (Scribner)

Outstanding Literary Work – Children

“Yvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark” – Allen R. Wells; Illustrated by DeAndra Hodge (Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers/Macmillan)

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens

“Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi” – Angie Thomas (HarperCollins/Clarion Books)

Outstanding Literary Work – Graphic Novel

“Parable of the Talents: A Graphic Novel Adaptation” – Octavia E. Butler, adapted by Damien Duffy, Illustrated by John Jennings and David Brame (Abrams ComicArts)

Outstanding Short-Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction/Documentary

The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Starring Kendrick Lamar – (FOX)

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Gaming/Tech

Berlin Edmond Jr. – @Berleezy

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Fitness/Wellness/Food

Keith Lee – @keith_lee125

Instagram: @naacpimageawards
Twitter/X: @naacpimageaward
Facebook: /naacpimageawards
TikTok: #NAACPImageAwards

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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; PARAP), is the world’s largest media company rooted in community, culture, and connection for the Black community. For over four decades, BET has served as a trusted home for Black audiences, amplifying authentic stories, elevating Black voices, and creating spaces where culture thrives and community comes together.

Through a powerful portfolio of brands including BET, BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, BET connects audiences across cable, streaming, digital, live events, studios, and global platforms, delivering culturally resonant content that reflects the depth, creativity, and impact of the Black experience. For more information about BET, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For more BET announcements, visit paramountpressexpress.com/bet/.

NAACP Image Awards Media Contacts:

Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis | NAACPImageAwards@ssmandl.com

Ariana Drummond | ImagePublicist@naacpnet.org

Mercedes Smith | Mercedes.Smith@bet.net

Erica Knox | Erica.Knox@bet.net

Autumn Griffin | Autumn.Griffin@bet.net

Kate Fisher | KHFisher@cbs.com

Victoria Saavedra | Victoria.Saavedra@paramount.com