SANAA LATHAN AND ANTHONY MACKIE TO HOST "43RD NAACP IMAGE AWARDS" FEBRUARY 17 LIVE ON NBC

Confirmed Talent Includes LL Cool J, Paula Patton, Cuba Gooding Jr., Vanessa Williams, Jordin Sparks, Corey Reynolds, Judge Greg Mathis, Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, Holly Robinson Peete, Regina King, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, Samuel L. Jackson, Cicely Tyson, Diahann Carroll, Archie Panjabi and Hill Harper with Performances by Lenny Kravitz, Jill Scott, Kirk Franklin and Ne-Yo and More

The Founding Members of the Black Stuntmen's Association Will Receive the NAACP President's Award

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- February 15, 2012 - An all-star line-up is set for the "43RD NAACP Image Awards," broadcast live from Los Angeles' historic Shrine Auditorium on Friday, February 17 (8-10 p.m. ET live/PT tape-delayed) on NBC.

The two-hour live special will be hosted by Sanaa Lathan ("Contagion") and Anthony Mackie ("Hurt Locker," "Adjustment Bureau"). Some of the biggest names in film, television and music are schedule to appear including LL Cool J, Paula Patton, Cuba Gooding Jr., Vanessa Williams, Jordin Sparks, Corey Reynolds, Judge Greg Mathis, Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, Holly Robinson Peete, Regina King, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, Samuel L. Jackson, Cicely Tyson, Diahann Carroll, Archie Panjabi and Hill Harper with performances by Lenny Kravitz, Jill Scott, Kirk Franklin, Ne-Yo and more.

In addition, the Founding Members of the Black Stuntmen's Association will receive the NAACP President's Award. The NAACP President's Award, chosen by NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous, is bestowed in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service. Past honorees include President Bill Clinton, Soledad O'Brien, Ruby Dee, Muhammad Ali, and most recently, Van Jones.

"I am proud to honor the men and women of the Black Stuntmen's Association with the NAACP President's Award," said Jealous. "The efforts of these pioneers helped to chip away at the racial barriers that divided not only stuntmen, but the entire entertainment/media industry."

Founded in 1967, the Black Stuntmen's Association was created to combat practices that denied black stuntmen the opportunity to perform in Hollywood productions. Prior to their advocacy and activism, stunts for black actors were done by white performers "painted down" to a darker complexion. The organization filed lawsuits against several major movie studios to help bring an end the discriminatory practice and to ensure equal opportunity and access to the stunt roles for all races.

Members of the Black Stuntmen's Association went on to redefine the profession, performing in iconic films and television programs such as "Dirty Harry," "I Spy," "Uptown Saturday Night" and "Buck and the Preacher." Last year at the NAACP 102nd Annual Convention in Los Angeles, representatives of the Black Stuntmen's Association participated in a panel discussion about the intersection of entertainment professionals and activism. (Watch the panel at http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/300734-2).

The Smithsonian Institute is currently planning to curate an exhibit to honor the Coalition and the Black Stuntmen's Association in Washington, D.C.

As previously announced, The Vanguard Award will be presented to George Lucas and Radio One/TV One Founder Cathy Hughes will receive the NAACP Chairman's Award.

The awards event is a production of Vicangelo Films. The executive producer is Vicangelo Bulluck.

The NAACP Image Awards is the premier multicultural awards show. It 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. Event sponsors include UAW/Chrysler, AARP, FedEx, Hyundai, Wells Fargo, Ford Motor Company, Walgreens, Bank of America, AT&T, American Airlines and Cadillac.

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors. For more information on the NAACP Image Awards, please visit www.naacpimageawards.net.

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