NAACP ANNOUNCES "55TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS" TO AIR LIVE IN LOS ANGELES SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2024, ON BET

CBS Returns as the Esteemed Broadcast Simulcast Partner

8 New Submission Categories Added in Motion Picture, Recording, Podcast, Literature and Stunt

Nominees to Be Announced Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024

LOS ANGELES - Sept. 29, 2023 - Today, the NAACP and BET announced that the 55TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS will broadcast live in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 16 (8:00 PM, ET/PT) on BET and CBS. Nominees will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024.

The NAACP will also recognize winners in non-televised Image Awards categories March 12-14, which will stream on www.naacpimageawards.net and during the NAACP Image Awards dinner, which will be held on Friday, March 15 in Los Angeles.

Recognized as the nation's preeminent multicultural awards show from an African American perspective, the 55TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color across more than 80 competitive categories spanning film, television and streaming, music, literature and podcasts. The 55TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS will also include eight new submission categories including:

Motion Picture: Outstanding Youth Performance; Outstanding Cinematography in a Motion Picture; Outstanding Short Form Documentary

Recording: Outstanding Original Score for TV/Film

Podcast: Outstanding Scripted Series Podcast; Outstanding Limited Series/Short Form Podcast

Literature: Outstanding Graphic Novel

Stunt: Outstanding Stunt Ensemble

"We are thrilled to bring back the Image Awards along with our partners BET and CBS once again," said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP. "With such a significant year in achievement among African Americans in all areas in 2023, we know the show will celebrate and inspire our community once again."

"BET Media Group is honored to continue our long-standing partnership with the NAACP to celebrate Black Excellence and the countless contributions made by the Black community," said BET president and CEO Scott Mills. "We are thrilled CBS is joining us to bring viewers this powerful awards program, honoring the many talented individuals and our diverse stories of humanity and resilience."

Only submitted work will be reviewed for consideration. All entries are evaluated and narrowed to the top five in each category by members of the NAACP Image Awards nominating committees, which are comprised of individuals within the entertainment industry (studio/network executives, actors, artists, managers, agents, publicists, journalists, literary agents and others) and NAACP board members, NAACP Foundation trustees, staff, partners and others. The submission deadline is Nov. 3.

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 Beyoncé, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Jamie Foxx, Chloe x Halle, Regé-Jean Page, Michaela Coel, Cliff "Method Man" Smith, Blair Underwood, Will Smith, Taraji P. Henson, Marsai Martin, Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Anthony Anderson, Sterling K. Brown, Loni Love, Sheryl Underwood, Mandy Moore, Halle Berry, Common, Dwayne Johnson, Audra Day, John Legend, Lena Waithe, Tracee Ellis Ross, David Oyelowo, Laverne Cox, Octavia Spencer, Issa Rae, Trevor Noah, Yara Shahidi, Danai Gurira, Jacob Latimore, Jill Scott, H.E.R., Jay Pharoah, Jemele Hill, Josh Gad, Loretta Devine, Sylvester Stallone, Meta Golding, Michael Smith, Tyler James Williams, Ava DuVernay, the late Chadwick Boseman and many more.

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

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About the NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the 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 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, follow us on social @BET_PR.