The nominees for the 47th NAACP Image Awards have been announced. The event was live streamed and special commentary was provided by Nischelle Turner of Entertainment Tonight.
The NAACP Image Awards celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors.
Winners will be announced during the two-hour star-studded event, which will broadcast LIVE on TV ONE on Friday, February 5, 2016 at 9pm/8c as a two-hour special. A one-hour pre-show will air live from the red carpet at 8pm/7c.
“The Image Awards celebrates individuals who model principles of hard work, perseverance, and community empowerment and with the announcement of this year’s nominees the NAACP continues to spotlight the achievements of those in our community,” stated Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors. “We have enjoyed a great collaboration with TV One and look forward to working with them again this year to create a memorable evening of entertainment.”
“The NAACP Image Awards has become more than just a ceremony, but an institution for artists and social justice warriors of color to be recognized and celebrated,” stated Cornell William Brooks, President and CEO, NAACP. “As the Image Awards continues to grow and evolve, the principles of social justice will remain at its core.”
ABC and BET lead the nominees in the TV categories with 28 and 13 nominations respectively, followed by FOX with 12. In the recording category, Columbia Records leads with 10 nominations, followed by RCA with 9 nominations and BMG with 6 nominations. Warner Brothers leads with 6 nominations, while Universal Pictures and Netflix both received 5 nominations in the motion picture categories.
Some nominees for this year award ceremony are as follows:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Michael B. Jordan
- Misty Copeland
- Pharrell Williams
- Shonda Rhimes
- Viola Davis
Outstanding Comedy Series
- “black-ish” (ABC)
- “House of Lies” (Showtime)
- “Key & Peele” (Comedy Central)
- “Orange is the New Black” (Netflix)
- “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
- Gina Rodriguez – “Jane The Virgin” (The CW)
- Loretta Devine – “The Carmichael Show” (NBC)
- Tracee Ellis Ross – “black-ish” (ABC)
- Uzo Aduba – “Orange is the New Black” (Netflix)
- Wendy Raquel Robinson – “The Game” (BET)
Outstanding Drama Series
- “Being Mary Jane” (BET)
- “Empire” (FOX)
- “How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC)
- “Power” (Starz)
- “Scandal” (ABC)
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
- LL Cool J – “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS)
- Morris Chestnut – “Rosewood” (FOX)
- Omari Hardwick – “Power” (Starz)
- Terrence Howard – “Empire” (FOX)
- Wesley Snipes – “The Player” (NBC)
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
- Gabrielle Union – “Being Mary Jane” (BET)
- Kerry Washington – “Scandal” (ABC)
- Nicole Beharie – “Sleepy Hollow” (FOX)
- Taraji P. Henson – “Empire” (FOX)
- Viola Davis – “How to Get Away With Murder” (ABC)
Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
- “American Crime” (ABC)
- “Bessie” (HBO)
- “Luther” (BBC America)
- “The Book of Negroes” (BET)
- “The Wiz Live!” (NBC)
Outstanding Motion Picture
- “Beasts of No Nation” (Netflix)
- “Concussion” (Sony Pictures Entertainment)
- “Creed” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)
- “Dope” (Open Road Films)
- “Straight Outta Compton” (Universal Pictures)
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
- Abraham Attah – “Beasts of No Nation” (Netflix)
- Chiwetel Ejiofor – “Secret in Their Eyes” (STX Entertainment)
- Michael B. Jordan – “Creed” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)
- Michael Ealy – “The Perfect Guy” (Screen Gems)
- Will Smith – “Concussion” (Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
- Lauren ‘Keke’ Palmer – “Brotherly Love” (Flavor Unit)
- Sanaa Lathan – “The Perfect Guy” (Screen Gems)
- Teyonah Parris – “Chi-Raq” (Amazon Studios and Roadside Attractions)
The 47th NAACP Image Awards is sponsored by AT&T, Bank of America, Chrysler-UAW, FedEx, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Hyundai Motors of America, Southwest
