NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR THE “57TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS”

Today, the NAACP announced the full list of “57^th NAACP Image Awards” nominees, with Cynthia Erivo, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, Michael B. Jordan, and Teyana Taylor nominated for Entertainer of the Year.  Select categories will be revealed during the two-hour LIVE TV special, airing Saturday, February 28, 2026, from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, at 8 PM ET/ 8 PM PT on BET and will simulcast on the CBS Television Network. This year’s theme is “We See You.”

Sinners leads in motion picture categories with 18 nods, followed by Highest 2 Lowest with nine nominations. Bel-Air leads across the television categories with seven nominations, followed by Abbott Elementary, Reasonable Doubt, and Ruth & Boaz with six nominations each, and Forever with five nominations. Netflix also leads with an impressive 47 nominations.

Teyana Taylor leads nominations in multiple categories with a total six nominations – including Entertainer of the Year, her roles in One Battle After Another and Tyler Perry’s Straw, and for her album Escape Room. Cynthia Erivo earned four nominations, including Entertainer of the Year and recognition for her role in Wicked: For Good.

Kendrick Lamar received the most nominations in the music recording categories, earning six nominations, while Cardi B. and Leon Thomas received four nominations each, followed closely by Doechii andTeyana Taylor, both earning three nods. RCA Records received eight nominations, the most across record labels. HarperCollins leads nominations across literary categories with eight nominations, followed by Penguin Random House with six nominations.

This year, NAACP is introducing two new categories: Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism, recognizing excellence in nationally distributed journalism that informs, uplifts, and authentically reflects on experiences, issues, or perspectives significantly affecting the Black community, or U.S. national affairs through a lens of racial equity, social justice, or community impact; and Outstanding Editing in a Motion Picture or Television Series, Movie, or Special,honoring excellence in post-production editing that enhances storytelling, strengthens narrative flow, and amplifies emotional impact.

Nominations were announced today live on CBS Mornings by the “57th NAACP Image Awards” host Deon Cole and NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnsonand on YouTube/NAACPPlus by Gail Bean and Marcel Spears. 

“The NAACP Image Awards is our declaration to our community that “We See You,” affirming Black creativity, excellence, and humanity across every space where our stories are told,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “From film, television, and music to literature and beyond, the voices of all of our nominees tell stories that honor our past, celebrate our identity, and remind us that storytelling has the power to move culture forward.”

“The NAACP Image Award nominations underscore what we’ve always known to be true—our people are the heartbeat of culture,” said Louis Carr, President of BET. “Their creativity, excellence, and commitment to telling our stories with authenticity and purpose continue to set the standard. We’re honored to stand alongside the NAACP in celebrating the voices and visionaries who move our culture forward.”

The full list of nominees can be found below:

Entertainer of the Year

• Cynthia Erivo
• Doechii
• Kendrick Lamar
• Michael B. Jordan
• Teyana Taylor                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Outstanding Comedy Series

• Abbott Elementary (ABC)
• Harlem (Prime Video)
• Survival of the Thickest (Netflix)                                                                                    
• The Residence (Netflix)                                                                                                 
• The Upshaws (Netflix)                                                                          

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

• Cedric The Entertainer – “The Neighborhood” (CBS)
• David Alan Grier – “St. Denis Medical” (NBC)     
• David Oyelowo – “Government Cheese” (Apple TV)
• Mike Epps – “The Upshaws” (Netflix)
• Vince Staples – “The Vince Staples Show” (Netflix)                                                                                                                                 

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

• Ayo Edebiri – “The Bear” (FX/Hulu)
• Maya Rudolph – “Loot” (Apple TV)
• Michelle Buteau – “Survival of the Thickest” (Netflix)
• Quinta Brunson – “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
• Uzo Aduba – “The Residence” (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

• Colman Domingo – “The Four Seasons” (Netflix)
• Giancarlo Esposito – “The Residence” (Netflix)
• Josh Johnson – “The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)
• Wendell Pierce – “Elsbeth” (CBS)
• William Stanford Davis – “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

• Edwina Finley – “The Residence” (Netflix)
• Ego Nwodim –  “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
• Janelle James – “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
• Jerrie Johnson – “Harlem” (Prime Video)
• Wanda Sykes – “The Upshaws” (Netflix)

Outstanding Drama Series

• Bel-Air (Peacock)
• Beyond The Gates (CBS)
• Forever (Netflix)
• Paradise (Hulu)
• Reasonable Doubt (Hulu)                                                                      

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

• Forest Whitaker – “Godfather of Harlem” (MGM+)        
• Jabari Banks – “Bel-Air” (Peacock)
• Michael Cooper Jr. – “Forever” (Netflix)
• Morris Chestnut – “Watson” (CBS)
• Sterling K. Brown – “Paradise” (ABC)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

• Angela Bassett – “9-1-1” (ABC)
• Emayatzy Corinealdi – “Reasonable Doubt” (Hulu)
• Lovie Simone – “Forever” (Netflix)
• Patina Miller – “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” (STARZ) 
• Queen Latifah – “The Equalizer” (CBS)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

• Adrian Holmes – “Bel-Air” (Peacock)
• Ato Essandoh – “The Diplomat” (Netflix)
• Caleb McLaughlin – “Stranger Things” (Netflix)
• Jacob Latimore – “The Chi” (Showtime)
• Wood Harris – “Forever” (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

• Aisha Hinds – “9-1-1” (ABC)
• Audra McDonald – “The Gilded Age” (HBO Max)
• Karen Pittman   – “Forever” (Netflix)
• Karen Pittman   – “The Morning Show” (Apple TV)
• Nicole Beharie  – “The Morning Show” (Apple TV)

Outstanding Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie)

• G20 (Prime Video)
• Ironheart (Disney+)
• Ruth & Boaz (Netflix)
• Straw (Netflix)
• Washington Black (Hulu)

Outstanding Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie)

• Brian Tyree Henry – “Dope Thief” (Apple TV)
• Giancarlo Esposito – “Please Don’t Feed The Children”( Tubi)
• Idris Elba – “Heads of State” (Prime Video)
• Taye Diggs – “Terry McMillan Presents: His, Hers & Ours” (Lifetime)
• Tyler Lepley – “Ruth & Boaz” (Netflix)
  

Outstanding Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie)

• Brandy Norwood – “Christmas Everyday” (Lifetime)
• Dominique Thorne – “Ironheart” (Disney+)
• Serayah – “Ruth & Boaz” (Netflix)
• Taraji P. Henson – “Straw” (Netflix)       
• Viola Davis – “G20” (Prime Video)

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special) 

• CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip (CNN)
• Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (PBS)
• Hurricane Katrina: 20 Years After the Storm With Robin Roberts (ABC)
• Michelle Obama: The Style, The Power, The Look:  A Conversation with Robin Roberts (ABC)
• The Don Lemon Show (YouTube)

Outstanding Talk Series

• House Guest (YouTube TV)
• Sherri (Syndicated)
• Tamron Hall Show (ABC)
• The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)
• The View (ABC)

Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Services/Game Show

• Celebrity Family Feud (ABC)
• Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
• Full Court Press (ESPN, ESPN+)
• Love & Marriage: Huntsville (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
• Ready to Love (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)                                                                                                             

Outstanding Variety (Series or Special)

• Tiny Desk Concerts Celebrates Black Music Month 2025 (NPR)
• HBCU Honors (BET Networks)
• BET Awards 2025 (BET Networks)
• Wicked: One Wonderful Night (NBC)
• Ali Siddiq: My Two Sons (YouTube/Moment PPV)                                                                      

Outstanding Children’s Program

• Eyes of Wakanda (Disney+)       
• Gracie’s Corner (YouTube TV)
• Iyanu (Cartoon Network)
• Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney+)
• Reading Rainbow (KidZuko)                                                                              

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited–Series)

• Amanda Christine – IT: Welcome to Derry (HBO Max)
• Blake Cameron James – IT: Welcome to Derry (HBO Max)
• Jeremiah Felder – The Residence (Netflix)
• Leah Sava Jeffries – Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney+) 
• Percy Daggs IV – Paradise (Hulu)

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

• Abby Phillip  – CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip (CNN)
• Don Lemon – The Don Lemon Show (YouTube)
• Henry Louis Gates, Jr. – Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates. Jr. (PBS)
• Scott Evans – House Guest (YouTube TV)
• Sherri Shepherd — Sherri (Syndicated)                                                                                      

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble 

• Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough – Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
• Barbara Corcoran, Lorie Grenier, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, Daniel Lubetzky, Kevin O’Leary – Shark Tank (ABC)
• Bozoma St. John and Jimmy Fallon – On Brand with Jimmy Fallon (NBC)
• Kevin Hart – BET Awards 2025 (BET Networks)
• Steve Harvey – Celebrity Family Feud (ABC)

Outstanding Guest Performance

• Brandee Evans – Reasonable Doubt (Hulu)
• Dave Chappelle – Saturday Night Live (NBC)
• Janet Hubert – Bel-Air (Peacock)
• Malcolm-Jamal Warner – Murder in a Small Town (FOX)
• Morris Chestnut – Reasonable Doubt (Hulu)

Outstanding Animated Series

• Disney Jr.’s Ariel (Disney Jr.)
• Gracie’s Corner (YouTube TV)
• Iyanu (Cartoon Network)
• Lil Kev (BET+)
• Weather Hunters (PBS KIDS)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)

• Anika Noni Rose – The Mighty Nein (Prime Video)
• Ayo Edebiri – Big Mouth (Netflix)
• Cedric the Entertainer – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney+)          
• Graceyn Hollingsworth – Gracie’s Corner (YouTube TV)
• Kyla Pratt – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney+)

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

• College Gameday: Michael Vick (ESPN)
• Glam Through The Ages (KeyTV Network)
• Noochie’s Live From The Front Porch (YouTube TV)
• The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show starring Kendrick Lamar (FOX)
• The Daily Show: After The Cut (Comedy Central)            

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

• Chinaka Hodge – Ironheart (Disney+)
• Daniel Lawrence Taylor – Boarders (Tubi)
• Haolu Wang – Black Mirror (Netflix)
• Jas Summers – Stay (Hulu)
• Tearrance Averelle Chisolm – Demascus (Tubi)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special, Movie)

• Glynn Turman – Straw (Netflix)
• Jay Ellis – All Her Fault (Peacock)
• Rockmond Dunbar – Straw (Netflix)
• Sterling K. Brown – Washington Black (Hulu)
• Ving Rhames – Dope Thief (Apple TV)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie)

• Angela Bassett – Zero Day (Netflix)
• Lyric Ross – Ironheart (Disney+)
• Marsai Martin – G20 (Prime Video)
• Sherri Shepherd            – Straw (Netflix)
• Teyana Taylor – Straw (Netflix)

Outstanding New Artist 

• Elmiene – Useless Without You (Def Jam Recordings)
• Lee Vasi – Love Me To Life (Capitol CMG/Leeda Music Group)
• Madison McFerrin – Scorpio (MadMcFerrin Music LLC)  
• Monaleo – Who Did the Body? (Columbia Records)
• Ravyn Lenae – Bicycle Race (Atlantic Records)

Outstanding Male Artist

• Bryson Tiller – Solace & The Vices (RCA Records/TrapSoul)
• Chris Brown – It Depends feat. Byrson Tiller (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
• GIVĒON – Beloved (Epic Records)
• Kendrick Lamar – luther (pgLang under exclusive license to Interscope Records)
• Leon Thomas – MUTT Deluxe: Heel (EZMNY Records/Motown Records)

Outstanding Female Artist

• Alex Isley – Hands (Warner Records)
• Cardi B – Am I the Drama? (Atlantic Records)
• Doechii – Anxiety (Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records)
• SZA – SOS Deluxe: LANA (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)
• Teyana Taylor – Escape Room (Def Jam Recordings)

Outstanding Jazz Album

• For Dinah – Ledisi (Candid Records)
• We Insist! 2025 – Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell (Candid Records)      
• Beneath the Skin – Nnenna Freelon (Origin Records)
• Live-Action – Nate Smith – Nate Smith (Naive)
• Griot Songs – Omar Thomas Large Ensemble (Omar Thomas Music)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album

• Jekalyn X The Legends – Jekalyn Carr (Waynorth Music)
• Live at Maverick City – Maverick City Music (Tribl Records, LLC)
• Only On The Road (Live) – Tye Tribbett (Freligious Music)          
• Tasha – Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Motown Gospel)
• The Live Reunion: Washington D.C. – JJ Hairson and Youthful Praise (James Town Music)

Outstanding International Song

• In Our Sight – Skip Marley (Def Jam Recordings)
• Is It – Tyla (Epic Records)
• Love – Burna Boy (Spaceship/Bad Habit/Atlantic Records)
• With You – Davido feat. Omah Lay (RCA Records/Sony Music UK)
• You4Me – Tiwa Savage (Everything Savage/EMPIRE)

Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album

• Anxiety – Doechii (Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records)
• Boots on the Ground – 803Fresh (Snake Eyez Music Group/APG)
• Escape Room – Teyana Taylor (Def Jam Recordings)
• Folded – Kehlani (Atlantic Records)       
• luther – Kendrick Lamar & SZA (pgLang under exclusive license to Interscope Records)                           

Outstanding Album

• Am I The Drama? – Cardi B (Atlantic Records)
• Beloved – GIVĒON (Epic Records)
• Let God Sort Em Out – Clipse, Pusha T, Malice (Roc Nation Distribution)
• Mutt Deluxe: Heel – Leon Thomas (EZMNY Records/Motown Records)
• SOS Deluxe: LANA – SZA (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)                      

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album

• Godfather of Harlem: Season 4 (Original Series Soundtrack) (Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment)
• Highest 2 Lowest (Original Soundtrack) (A24)
• Sinners (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Proximity Media LLC, under exclusive license to Masterworks, a label of Sony Music Entertainment)
• The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder: Season 3 (Music from the Series) (Walt Disney Records)
• Wicked: For Good (The Soundtrack) (Republic Records) 

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song

• Church – Tasha Cobbs Leonard feat John Legend (Motown Gospel)         
• Constant – Live – Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore, Anthony Gargiula (Tribl Records)
• Do it Again – Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul Recordings/Tribl Records)
• Don’t Faint – Jekalyn Carr (Waynorth Music)
• Jesus I Do – Mariah Carey feat. The Clark Sisters (gamma.)                                 

Outstanding Song – Soul/R&B

• Folded – Kehlani (Atlantic Records)       
• Burning Blue – Mariah the Scientist (Epic Records)
• It Depends – Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
• Yes It Is – Leon Thomas (EZMNY Records/Motown Records)
• Bed of Roses – Teyana Taylor (Def Jam Recordings)                                                                   

Outstanding Song – Hip-Hop/Rap Song

• Anxiety — Doechii (Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records)
• Chains & Whips – Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, Malice (Roc Nation Distribution)     
• ErrTime – Cardi B (Atlantic Records)
• Ride (Remix) – Chance the Rapper feat. Do or Die & Twista (CTR LLC)
• Typa – GloRilla (CMG/Interscope Records)                                                                                                                                                                                

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)

• 803Fresh feat. Fantasia – Boots on the Ground Remix (Snake Eyez Music Group/Artist Partner Group)    
• Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, Malice – Chains & Whips (Roc Nation Distribution)
• Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande – For Good (Republic Records)
• Mariah Carey, The Clark Sisters – Jesus I Do (gamma.)
• Travis Greene & Andra Day – Let Freedom Ring (Greenelight Music/TRIBL Records)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)

• Cardi B, Kehlani – Safe (Atlantic Records)          
• Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller & Usher – It Depends (Remix) (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
• kwn feat. Kehlani – Worst Behavior (RCA Records)
• FLO – The Mood (Remixes) (Uptown Records/Republic Records)
• Leon Thomas & Chris Brown –   MUTT (Remix) (EZMNY Records/Motown Records)

Outstanding Original Score for Television/Film

• Boots (Madison Gate Records)
• Eyes of Wakanda Original Soundtrack (Hollywood Records)
• Marvel’s Ironheart: Vol. 1 (Original Soundtrack) (Hollywood Records)
• One of Them Days (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Madison Gate Records, TriStar Productions)
• Sinners (Original Motion Picture Score) (Proximity Media LLC, under exclusive license to Sony Classical, a label of Sony Music Entertainment)                                                                            

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction

• Can’t Get Enough – Kennedy Ryan (Forever/Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group)      
• Chronicles of Ori: An African Epic – Harmonia Rosales (W. W. Norton & Company)
• Death of the Author – Nnedi Okorafor (William Morrow)
• Happy Land – Dolen Perkins-Valdez (Berkley, Penguin Random House)
• Harlem Rhapsody – Victoria Christopher Murray (Berkley, Penguin Random House)                    

Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction 

• A More Perfect Party: The Night Shirley Chisholm & Diahann Carroll Reshaped Politics – Juanita Tolliver   (Legacy Lit/Hachette Book Group)
• Born in Flames – Bench Ansfield (W. W. Norton & Company)
• From These Roots – Tamara Lanier (Penguin Random House, Crown)     
• Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Black Hotel, Motel, and Resort Owners from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era – Calvin Stovall Jr. (Brown Books Publishing Group)
• I Am Nobody’s Slave – Lee Hawkins (HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author

• Anela Malik – American Soul: The Black History of Food in the United States (National Geographic Partners, LLC)
• Charles B. Fancher – Red Clay (Blackstone Publishing)
• Dr. Judith Joseph – High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy (Little, Brown Spark)
• Lorna Lewis – A Sky Full of Love (Lake Union)
• Zoe B. Wallbrook – History Lessons (Soho Crime)           

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography

• 107 Days – Kamala Harris (Simon & Schuster)
• The Look – Michelle Obama (Crown)
• Toni at Random – Dana A. Williams (Amistad, HarperCollins)
• Truly – Lionel Richie (HarperOne)
• Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned from All Three – Dawn Staley (Black Privilege Publishing (Atria Books, Simon & Schuster))                                

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional

• American Soul: The Black History of Food in the United States – Anela Malik (National Geographic Partners, LLC)
• Braided Heritage: Recipes and Stories on the Origin of American Cuisine – Dr. Jessica Harris (Penguin Random House/Clarkson Potter)
• We the Pizza: Slangin’ Pies and Savin’ Lives – Muhammad Abdul-Hadi (Penguin Random House/Clarkson Potter)
• Who Better Than You? – Will Packer (Penguin Random House)
• Wine Pairing for the People – Cha McCoy (Harvest, an imprint of WilliamMorrow, HarperCollins)                                                                                             
                   

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry

• Death of the First Idea – Rickey Laurentiis (Alfred A. Knopf)
• Florida Water – Aja Monet (Haymarket Books)
• The Grace of Black Mothers – Martheaus Perkins (Trio House Press)
• The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems – Patricia Smith (Scribner)
• We Look Better Alive – Ali Black (Burnside Review Press)

Outstanding Literary Work – Children

• Black Boy, Rise – Brynne Barnes (Chronicle Books)         
• Black Diamond Kings: Heroes of Negro League Baseball – Charles R. Smith Jr. (Candlewick Press)
• My Quiet Place – Monica Mikai (Chronicle Books            )
• The History of We – Nikkolas Smith (Penguin Young Readers)
• 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

• (S)Kin – Ibi Zoboi (HarperCollins/Versify)
• Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi – Angie Thomas (HarperCollins/Clarion Books)
• The Scammer – Tiffany D. Jackson (HarperCollins – Quill Tree Books)
• The Story of My Anger – Jasminne Mendez (Penguin Young Readers)
• Through Our Teeth – Pamela N. Harris (HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books)

Outstanding Literary Work – Graphic Novel 

• Creaky Acres: A Graphic Novel – Calista Bril (Penguin Young Readers)
• Defiant: The Story of Robert Smalls – Rob Edwards (Stranger Comics)
• One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel – Rita William-Garcia (HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books)
• Parable of the Talents A Graphic Novel Adaptation – Octavia E. Butler, adapted by Damien Duffy, Illustrated by John Jennings and David Brame (Abrams ComicArts)
• They Choose Violence – Sheldon Allen (AWA Studios)                                                                

Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism  

• As Black New Yorkers Move Out, N.Y.C. Politics May Be Reshaped – Maya King (Newspaper)
• Audra McDonald Took The Stage and Rewrote The Rules – Adam Davenport (Online)
• Black joy and boots: How line dancing is fanning cultural connection – Lisa Respers France (News Service)
• HBCUs Reel as Trump Cuts Black-Focused Grants: ‘This Is Our Existence’ – Jasper Smith (Online)
• On Borrowed Time – Anissa Durham (Online)    

Outstanding Motion Picture

• Highest 2 Lowest (A24)
• One of Them Days (Sony Pictures Releasing)
• Sarah’s Oil (Amazon MGM Studios)
• Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
• Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

• André Holland – Love, Brooklyn (Greenwich Entertainment)
• Denzel Washington – Highest 2 Lowest (A24)
• Michael B. Jordan – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
• Nnamdi Asomugha – The Knife (Relatively Media)
• Tyriq Withers – HIM (Monkeypaw Productions)                                                                         

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

• Cynthia Erivo – Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)
• Danielle Deadwyler – 40 Acres (Magnolia Pictures)
• Keke Palmer – One Of Them Days (Sony Pictures Releasing)       
• Kerry Washington – Shadow Force (Lionsgate)
• Tessa Thompson – Hedda (Amazon MGM Studios)                                                                                

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

• A$AP Rocky – Highest 2 Lowest (A24)
• Damson Idris – F1 (Apple Original Films)
• Delroy Lindo – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
• Jeffrey Wright – Highest 2 Lowest (A24)
• Miles Caton – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

• Janelle James – One Of Them Days (Sony)
• Jayme Lawson – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
• Regina Hall – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros. Pictures)
• Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros. Pictures)
• Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

• 40 Acres (Magnolia Pictures)
• Love, Brooklyn (Greenwich Entertainment)
• Magazine Dreams (Briarcliff Entertainment)      
• Opus (A24)
• Unexpected Christmas (3 Diamonds Entertainment)

Outstanding International Motion Picture

• 40 Acres (Magnolia Pictures)
• My Father’s Shadow (MUBI)
• Souleymane’s Story (Kino Lorber)
• The Fisherman (Luu Vision Media)
• The Secret Agent (NEON)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

• A$AP Rocky – Highest 2 Lowest (A24)
• Chase Infiniti – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros. Pictures)
• Miles Caton – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
• Tabitha Brown – Unexpected Christmas (3 Diamonds Films)
• Tyriq Withers – HIM (Monkeypaw Productions)

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture

• Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Buddy Guy, Delroy Lindo, Peter Dreimanis, Lola Kirke, Li Jun Li, Saul Williams, Yao – “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
• Keke Palmer, SZA, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams – “One Of Them Days” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
• Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Coleman Domingo, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Michelle Yeoh – “Wicked: For Good” (Universal Pictures)
• Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, A$AP Rocky – “Highest 2 Lowest” (A24)
• Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, Tracy Letts, Anthony Ramos, Moses Ingram, Jonah Hauer-King, Greta Lee, Jason Clarke – “A House of Dynamite” (Netflix)

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture

• Elio (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
• KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)
• Sneaks (Briarcliff Entertainment)
• The Bad Guys 2 (DreamWorks Animation)         
• Zootopia 2 (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture

• Anthony Mackie – Sneaks (Briarcliff Entertainment)
• Craig Robinson – The Bad Guys 2 (DreamWorks Animation)
• Danielle Brooks – The Bad Guys 2 (DreamWorks Animation)
• Lil Rel Howery – Dog Man (DreamWorks Animation)
• Quinta Brunson – Zootopia 2 (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)

• ADO (Baylor University)
• Before You Let Go (Find Your People Program)
• Best Eyes (American Film Institute Conservatory)
• Ella (Netflix)
• Food for the Soul (P.A. Works)

Outstanding Short Form (Animated)

• ASALI: Power of The Pollinators (Upenndo! Productions)
• Black Man, Black Man (Chainwheel Productions)
• Captain Zero: Into the Abyss Part II (Cutting Edge Animation)
• Jazzy Bells (Deep C Digital)
• Wednesdays with Gramps (DreamWorks Animation)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

• Cassandra Mann – Unexpected Christmas (3 Diamonds Entertainment LLC)
• Contessa Gayles – Songs from the Hole (Netflix)
• Nnamdi Asomugha – The Knife (Relativity Media)
• R.T. Thorne – 40 Acres (Magnolia Pictures)
• Rachael Abigail Holder – Love, Brooklyn (Greenwich Entertainment)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth in a Motion Picture

• Amari Price – The Knife (Relativity Media)
• Estella K. Kahiha – The Woman in the Yard (Athena Studios)
• Jahleel Kamara – Shadow Force (Lionsgate)
• Naya Desir-Johnson – Sarah’s Oil (Amazon MGM Studios)
• Peyton Jackson – The Woman in the Yard (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Cinematography in a Motion Picture 

• Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC  – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
• Kira Kelly – HIM (Universal Pictures)
• Martim Vian – Love, Brooklyn (Greenwich)
• Sean Bobbitt – Hedda (Amazon MGM Studios)
• Shabier Kirchner – Materialists (A24)

Outstanding Documentary (Film)

• Being Eddie (Netflix)
• Fatherless No More (First Gen Films)
• Left Behind (Corso Films)
• The Perfect Neighbor (Netflix)
• Who in the Hell is Regina Jones? (Weigel Productions)             
       

Outstanding Documentary (Television)

• A Star Without A Star: The Untold Juanita Moore Story (Apple TV)
• Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest 1977-2015 (HBO Max)
• Great Migrations: A People on the Move (PBS)
• High Horse: The Black Cowboy (Peacock)
• Number One On the Call Sheet (Apple TV)

Outstanding Short Form Documentary (Film)

• Black Longevity (Apt. 5f)
• CIRILO, A Legacy Untold (JOCMedia & Entertainment)
• Freeman Vines (Switchboard)
• Masaka Kids, a Rhythm Within (Netflix)
• The Ebony Canal: A Story of Black Infant Health (Ya Momz House)

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

• Aisha Muharrar – Hacks – “Clickable Face” (HBO Max)
• Frida Perez – The Studio – “The War” (Apple TV)
• Lizzy Darrell – Abbott Elementary – “100th Day of School” (ABC)
• Monique D. Hall – Sesame Street – “Tamir’s Art Show” (MAX)
• Naomi Ekperigin – St. Denis Medical – “Buffalo Bruce and the Matty Kid” (NBC)

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

• Ajani Jackson – Law & Order – “Episode 10” (NBC)
• Bryce Ahart, Stephanie McFarlane – FBI – “Episode 12” (CBS)
• C.A. Johnson – The Beast in Me – “Thanatos” (Netflix)
• Cynthia Adarkwa – The Pitt -“12:00 P.M.” (HBO Max)
• Walter Mosley – The Lowdown – “Tulsa Turnaround” (FX/Hulu)  

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie, Documentary or Special

• Aireka Muse – “Friends & Lovers” (Lifetime Movie Network)      
• Jas Summers – “Stay” (Hulu)
• Jerrod Carmichael – “Jerrod Carmichael: Don’t Be Gay” (HBO Max)
• Michael Elliot, Cory Tynan – “Ruth & Boaz” (Netflix)
• Roye Okupe and Brandon Easton – “Iyanu: The Age of Wonders” (Cartoon Network)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture

• Chloé Zhao – “Hamnet” (Focus Features)
• Nora Garrett – “After the Hunt” (Amazon MGM Studios)
• Ryan Coogler – “Sinners”  (Warner Bros. Pictures)
• Syreeta Singleton – “One of Them Days” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
• Walter Mosley, Nadia Latif – “The Man in My Basement” (Andscape)

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

• Amy Aniobi – Survival of the Thickest – “It’s Not A MoMent, It’s A Movement, Bitch!” (Netflix)
• Colman Domingo – The Four Seasons – “Ultimate Frisbee” (Netflix)
• Paul Hunter – Government Cheese – “Father Facts, Figures, and Failures” (Apple TV)
• Theodore Witcher – Demascus – “The Thanksgiving Episode” (Tubi)
• Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary – “The Science Fair” (ABC)

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

• Angela Barnes – Ironheart – “The Past Is the Past” (Disney+)
• Anton Cropper – Reasonable Doubt – “Feelin’ It” (Hulu)
• Jet Wilkinson – The Copenhagen Test –“Copenhagen” (Peacock)
• Mario Van Peebles – Power Book III: Raising Kanan – “Allow Me to Re-Introduce Myself” (STARZ)
• Salli Richardson-Whitfield – The Gilded Age – “My Mind Is Made Up” (HBO Max)                                                                                                             

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie, Documentary or Special

• Alanna Brown – “Ruth & Boaz” (Netflix)
• Nicole G. Leier – “Trapped in the Spotlight” (Lifetime)
• Olatunde Osunsanmi – “Star Trek: Section 31” (Paramount+)
• Tailiah Breon – “Not My Family: The Monique Smith Story” (A&E)
• Troy A. Scott – “I’ll Never Let You Go” (Lifetime)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture

• Elijah Bynum – “Magazine Dreams” (Briarcliff Entertainment)    
• Guillermo del Toro – “Frankenstein” (Netflix)
• Lawrence Lamont – “One of Them Days” (Sony Pictures Releasing)        
• R.T. Thorne – “40 Acres” (Magnolia Pictures)
• Ryan Coogler – “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Film)

• Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson – “Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)” (Hulu)
• Andre Gaines – “Boo-Yah – A Portrait of Stuart Scott” (ESPN)
• Contessa Gayles – “Songs from the Hole” (Netflix)
• Reginald Hudlin, Shola Lynch – “Number One on the Call Sheet” (Apple TV)
• Yemi Oyediran – “King of Them All: The Story of King Records” (PBS)                                                                                                                              

Outstanding Podcast – News and Information

• Accidentally Informed (ComebackTV Presents)
• Native Land Pod (iHeartMedia/Reasoned Choice Media)
• The Assignment with Audie Cornish (CNN)
• The Don Lemon Show (Lemon Media Network)
• The Joy Reid Show (Image Lab Media Group LLC)                                                                                                                                               

Outstanding Podcast – Lifestyle/Self-Help

• Ageless, Fearless, & Unscripted (Williamson Media Group)
• Hot & Bothered with Melyssa Ford (Forged Path Productions)
• IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson (Higher Ground)
• Just Heal with Dr. Jay (Cue & Coda Films)
• Money And Wealth With John Hope Bryant (Black Effect-iHeartPodcasts)                                                           

Outstanding Podcast – Society and Culture

• Baby, This is Keke Palmer (Wondery)
• Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay (The Ringer)
• IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson (Higher Ground)
• The Don Lemon Show (Lemon Media Network)
• What Now? with Trevor Noah (Day Zero Productions)

Outstanding Podcast – Arts, Sports and Entertainment

• IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson (Higher Ground)
• Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe (Hillman Grad & Lemonada Media)
• ReLiving Single with Erika Alexander & Kim Coles (Hartbeat)
• Shawn Stockman’s On That Note (CTG Media)
• SPOLITICS with Jemele Hill (Unbothered Inc)     

Outstanding Podcast – Scripted/Limited Series/Short Form

• Exonerated: The Cost of Wrongful Conviction (WURD Radio)
• Interesting Things with JC (Jim Connors LLC)      
• Kingsland (SBH Productions and Audible)
• Squeezed with Yvette Nicole Brown (Lemonada Media)
• The Prophecy Season 2 (Audible, Simpson Street and Q Code Media)                                         

Outstanding Costume Design (TV or Film)

• “Bel-Air” – Queensylvia Akuchie (Peacock)
• “Highest 2 Lowest” – Francine Jamison-Tanchuck (A24)
• “Love, Brooklyn” – Missy Mickens (Greenwich Entertainment)                           
• “Sinners” – Ruth E. Carter (Warner Bros. Pictures)
• “Wicked: For Good” – Paul Tazewell (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Make-up (TV or Film) 

• “All’s Fair” – Kate Biscoe (Hulu)
• “Bel-Air” – Alyssa Hudson (Peacock)
• “Chief of War” – Christian Tinsley (Apple TV)
• “Highest 2 Lowest” – Ngozi Olandu Young (A24)
• “Sinners” – Ken Diaz (Warner Bros. Pictures)                                                                                                                                                                             

Outstanding Hair Styling (TV or Film)

• “All’s Fair” – Valerie Jackson (Hulu)
• “Bel-Air” – Terry Hunt (Peacock)
• “Beyond the Gates” – Wankala L. Hinkson (CBS)
• “Reasonable Doubt” – Deaundra Metzger (Hulu)
• “Sinners” – Shunika Terry (Warner Bros. Pictures)                                                                                                                                                                                    

Outstanding Editing in a Motion Picture or Television Series, Movie, or Special 

• Deanna Nowell, ACE – “Ironheart” (Disney+)     
• Maysie Hoy, ACE – “Ruth & Boaz” (Netflix)
• Michael P. Shawver – “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
• Ralph Jean-Pierre – “The Beast in Me” (Netflix)
• Shaheed Qaasim – “Poker Face” (Peacock)

Outstanding Stunt Ensemble (TV or Film)

• “Butterfly” – Yeonheon Jung (Prime Video)
• “F1” – Gary Powell (Apple TV)
• “ G20” – Grant Powell (Prime Video)
• “Shadow Force” – Dartenea Bryant (Starz)
• “Sinners” – Andy Gill (Warner Bros. Pictures)                                                                                     

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Art/Comedy

• Darren Watkins Jr. – @IShowSpeed
• Jordan Howlett – @jordan_the_stallion8
• Joshua Neal – @joshuadneal
• Lou Young – @Louuuyoung
• Tee Sanders – @teesanderscomedy                                                                                          

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Political/Culture

• Elizabeth Booker Houston – @bookersquared
• Garrison Hayes – @garrisonh
• George Lee Jr. – @theconsciouslee
• Joshua Doss – @doss.discourse
• Lynae Vanee – @lynaevanee                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Fashion/Beauty

• Allyiah Gainer – @allyiahsface  
• De’arra Taylor – @dearra
• Eni Popoola – @enigivensunday
• Jackie Asamoah – @jackieaina
• Wisdom Kaye – @wisdm

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Gaming/Tech

• Berlin Edmonds – @Berleezy
• Cory Kenshin     – @CoryxKenshin
• Gerard Williams – @Hiphopgamer
• Jay Ann Lopez – @blackgirlgamers
• Khleo Thomas – @khleothomas

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Fitness/Wellness/Food

• Alex Hill – @justaddhotsauce
• Jeanette Jenkins – @msjeanettejenkins
• Keith Lee – @Keith_Lee125
• Kimberly Villalobos – @KimmysKreations.1       
• Massy Arias – @Massy.arias