The nominees for the 52nd NAACP Image Awards were announced on Feb. 2 at a special virtual event on the NAACP Image Awards’ Instagram channel.

The event was hosted by Tony-award winning actress and singer Anika Noni-Rose, actress and singer Chloe Bailey, actress Erika Alexander, actor/dancer, and choreographer Nicco Annan, and actor/singer TC Carson.

Now it’s time to find out who will take home the coveted NAACP Image Awards when the show airs March 27 at 8/7c on BET and simulcast across ViacomCBS Networks including CBS, BET Her, VH1, MTV, MTV2, and LOGO.

N2Entertainment.net was honored again to serve as an NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committee Member along with other distinguished members of the press.
Despite the pandemic challenged year, filmmakers, musicians and actors delivered their artistry in major fashion. There was so much talent on display which made voting tough. Congratulations to all the nominees.

The NAACP Image Awards honors the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature, and film and also recognizes individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors.

The nominees for the Special Awards categories include: Entertainer of the Year and Social Justice Impact. Nominees for the Entertainer of the Year award include" D-Nice, Regina King, Trevor Noah, Tyler Perry and Viola Davis. Nominees for the Social Justice Impact award include: April Ryan, Debbie Allen, Lebron James, Stacey Abrams and Tamika Mallory.

“We are excited to recognize and celebrate this year’s nominees, who at times throughout this unprecedented year have provided moments of levity, brought our communities together, and lifted our spirits through culture when we needed it the most,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson.

“BET shares the NAACP’s commitment to engage and empower our community, and we are proud to serve as partners on the 52nd Annual Image Awards,” said BET President Scott Mills. “The NAACP Image Awards uniquely honors our culture and community, recognizing those who help tell our stories through music, TV, movies, and literature. It is a distinct privilege for us to amplify the incredible work of the NAACP—and the best and brightest creative minds in the entertainment industry—across our ViacomCBS properties.

Here are the nominees for the 52nd NAACP Image Awards for movies and TV. N2Entertainment.net’s picks are bolded.

For a complete list of the nominees including the music and literary categories log on to naacpimageawards.net

SPECIAL AWARD CATEGORIES

Social Justice Impact:
April Ryan
Debbie Allen
Lebron James
Stacey Abrams
Tamika Mallory

Entertainer Of The Year:
D-Nice
Regina King
Viola Davis
Trevor Noah
Tyler Perry

MOTION PICTURE CATEGORIES:

Outstanding Motion Picture
“Bad Boys For Life” (Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Entertainment)
“Da 5 Bloods” (Netflix)
“Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” (Netflix)
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (Netflix)
“One Night In Miami…” (Amazon Studios)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Anthony Mackie – “The Banker” (Apple TV Plus)
Chadwick Boseman – “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (Netflix)
Delroy Lindo – “Da 5 Bloods” (Netflix)
Forest Whitaker – “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” (Netflix)
Will Smith – “Bad Boys For Life” (Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Entertainment)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Issa Rae – “The Photograph” (Universal Pictures)
Janelle Monáe – “Antebellum” (Lionsgate)
Madalen Mills – “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” (Netflix)
Tracee Ellis Ross – “The High Note” (Focus Features)
Viola Davis – “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Aldis Hodge, “One Night In Miami…” (Amazon Studios)
Chadwick Boseman, “Da 5 Bloods” (Netflix)
Clarke Peters, “Da 5 Bloods” (Netflix)
Colman Domingo, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (Netflix)
Glynn Turman – “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture:
Anika Noni Rose – “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” (Netflix)
Gabourey Sidibe – “Antebellum” (Lionsgate)
Nia Long – “The Banker” (Apple TV Plus)
Phylicia Rashad – “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” (Netflix)
Taylour Paige – “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (Netflix)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
“Emperor” (Universal Home Video)
“Farewell Amor” (IFC Films)
“Miss Juneteenth” (Vertical Entertainment)
“The 24th” (Vertical Entertainment)
“The Banker” (Apple TV Plus)

Outstanding International Motion Picture
“Ainu Mosir” (ARRAY)
“His House” (Netflix)
“Night of the Kings” (Neon)
“The Last Tree” (ArtMattan Productions)
“The Life Ahead” (La vita davanti a se) (Netflix)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture
Dayo Okeniyi “Emperor” (Universal Home Video)
Dominique Fishback “Project Power” (Netflix)
Jahi Di’Allo Winston “Charm City Kings” (HBO Max)
Jahzir Bruno “The Witches” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Madalen Mills “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” (Netflix)

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
“Da 5 Bloods” (Netflix)
“Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” (Netflix)
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (Netflix)
“Soul” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
“The Banker” (Apple TV Plus)

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture
“Onward” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
“Over the Moon” (Netflix)
“Scoob!” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
“Soul” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
“Trolls World Tour” (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture
Ahmir-Khalib Thompson aka Questlove – “Soul” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Angela Bassett – “Soul” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Chris Rock – “The Witches” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Jamie Foxx – “Soul” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Phylicia Rashad – “Soul” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)
“Baldwin Beauty” (Powderkeg Media)
“Black Boy Joy” (Film Independent Project Involve )
“Gets Good Light”
“Home”
“Mr. & Mrs. Ellis” (AMB Productions)

Outstanding Short Form (Animated)
“Canvas” (Netflix)
“Cops and Robbers” (Netflix)
“Loop” (Pixar Animation Studios)
“The Power of Hope” (The Power Of Hope)
“Windup” (Unity Technologies)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)
Loira Limbal – “Through the Night” (Third Shift Media, Inc.)
Melissa Haizlip – “Mr. Soul!” (Shoes In The Bed Productions)
Nadia Hallgren – “Becoming” (A Higher Ground Productions and Big Mouth Productions Film for Netflix)
Radha Blank – “The Forty-Year-Old Version” (Netflix)
Remi Weekes – “His House” (Netflix)

DOCUMENTARY CATEGORIES
Outstanding Documentary (Film)
“All In: The Fight For Democracy” (Amazon Studios)
“Coded Bias” (7th Empire Media)
“John Lewis: Good Trouble” (Magnolia Pictures/Participant)
“Soul!” (Shoes in the Bed Productions)
“On the Record” (HBO Max)

Outstanding Documentary (Television)
“And She Could Be Next” (PBS)
“Black Love” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
“Enslaved: The Lost History of the Transatlantic Slave Trade” (EPIX)
“The Last Dance” (ESPN / Netflix)
“Unsung” (TV One)

TELEVISION + STREAMING CATEGORIES:

Outstanding Comedy Series
“#blackAF” (Netflix)
“Black-ish” (ABC)
“grown-ish” (Freeform)
“Insecure” (HBO)
“The Last O.G.” (TBS)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson – “Black-ish” (ABC)
Cedric The Entertainer – “The Neighborhood” (CBS)
Don Cheadle – “Black Monday” (Showtime)
Idris Elba – “In the Long Run” (Starz)
Tracy Morgan – “The Last O.G.” (TBS)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Issa Rae – “Insecure” (HBO)
Folake Olowofoyeku – “Bob Hearts Abishola” (CBS)
Regina Hall – “Black Monday” (Showtime)
Tracee Ellis Ross – “Black-ish” (ABC)
Yara Shahidi – “Grown-ish” (Freeform)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher – “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (NBC)
Deon Cole – “Black-ish” (ABC)
Jay Ellis – “Insecure” (HBO)
Kenan Thompson – “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Laurence Fishburne – “Black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Jenifer Lewis – “Black-ish” (ABC)
Marsai Martin – “Black-ish” (ABC)
Natasha Rothwell – “Insecure” (HBO)
Tichina Arnold – “The Neighborhood” (CBS)
Yvonne Orji – “Insecure” (HBO)

Outstanding Drama Series
“All Rise” (CBS)
“Bridgerton” (Netflix)
“Lovecraft Country” (HBO)
“Power Book II: Ghost” (Starz)
“This Is Us” (NBC)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Jonathan Majors – “Lovecraft Country” (HBO)
Keith David – “Greenleaf” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
Nicco Annan – “P-Valley” (Starz)
Regé-Jean Page – “Bridgerton” (Netflix)
Sterling K. Brown – “This Is Us” (NBC)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Angela Bassett – “9-1-1” (FOX)
Brandee Evans – “P-Valley” (Starz)
Jurnee Smollett – “Lovecraft Country” (HBO)
Simone Missick – “All Rise” (CBS)
Viola Davis – “How To Get Away With Murder” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Clifford “Method Man” Smith – “Power Book II: Ghost” (Starz)
Delroy Lindo – “The Good Fight” (CBS All Access)
Alphonse Nicholson – “P-Valley” (Starz)
Jeffrey Wright – “Westworld” (HBO)
Michael Kenneth Williams – “Lovecraft Country” (HBO)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Adjoa Andoh – “Bridgerton” (Netflix)
Aunjanue Ellis – “Lovecraft Country” (HBO)
Lynn Whitfield – “Greenleaf” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
Mary J. Blige – “Power Book II: Ghost” (Starz)
Susan Kelechi Watson – “This Is Us” (NBC)

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
“Hamilton” (Disney Plus)
“Little Fires Everywhere” (Hulu)
“Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker” (Netflix)
“Sylvie’s Love” (Amazon Studios)
“The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel” (Lifetime)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
Blair Underwood – “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker” (Netflix)
Chris Rock – “Fargo” (FX)
Daveed Diggs – “Hamilton” (Disney Plus)
Leslie Odom, Jr. – “Hamilton” (Disney Plus)
Nnamdi Asomugha – “Sylvie’s Love” (Amazon Studios)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
Aunjanue Ellis – “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel” (Lifetime)
Kerry Washington – “Little Fires Everywhere” (Hulu)
Michaela Coel – “I May Destroy You” (HBO)
Octavia Spencer – “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker” (Netflix)
Tessa Thompson – “Sylvie’s Love” (Amazon Studios)

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)
“AM Joy: Remembering John Lewis Special” (MSNBC)
“Desus & Mero: The Obama Interview” (Showtime)
“The Color of Covid” (CNN)
“The New York Times Presents The Killing of Breonna Taylor” (FX)
“The Reidout” (NBC)

Outstanding Talk Series
“Red Table Talk” (Facebook Watch)
“Tamron Hall” (Syndicated )
“The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central)
“The Oprah Conversation” (Apple TV Plus)
“The Shop: Uninterrupted” (HBO)

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series)
“Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC)
“Iyanla: Fix My Life” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
“Shark Tank” (ABC)
“United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell” (CNN)
“Voices of Fire” (Netflix)

Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)
“8:46” (Netflix)
“Black Is King” (Disney+)
“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion” (HBO Max)
“VERZUZ” (APPLE TV Plus)
“Yvonne Orji: Momma I Made It!” (HBO)

Outstanding Children’s Program
“Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices” (Netflix)
“Craig of the Creek” (Cartoon Network)
“Family Reunion” (Netflix)
“Raven’s Home” (Disney Channel)
“We Are the Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical” (HBO)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited–Series)
Alex R. Hibbert – “The Chi” (Showtime)
Lexi Underwood – “Little Fires Everywhere” (Hulu)
Lyric Ross – “This Is Us” (NBC)
Marsai Martin – “Black-ish” (ABC)
Miles Brown – “Black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
Don Lemon – “CNN Tonight with Don Lemon” (CNN)
Jada Pinkett Smith – “Red Table Talk” (Facebook Watch)
Joy Reid – “The Reidout” (NBC)
LeBron James – “The Shop: Uninterrupted” (HBO)
Trevor Noah – “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
Alfonso Ribeiro – “America’s Funniest Home Videos” (ABC)
Iyanla Vanzant – “Iyanla: Fix My Life” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
Steve Harvey – “Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC)
Kamau Bell – “United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell” (CNN)
RuPaul – “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (VH1)

Outstanding Guest Performance – Comedy or Drama Series
Chris Rock – “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Courtney B. Vance – “Lovecraft Country” (HBO)
Dave Chappelle – “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Issa Rae – “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Loretta Devine – “P-Valley” (Starz)

Outstanding Animated Series
“Big Mouth” (Netflix)
“Central Park” (Apple TV Plus)
“Doc McStuffins” (Disney Junior)
“She-Ra and the Princesses of Power” (Netflix)
“Star Trek: Lower Decks” (CBS All Access)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)
Aisha Tyler – “Archer” (FX)
Courtney B. Vance – “Hollywood’s Architect: The Paul R. Williams Story” (PBS)
Dawnn Lewis – “Star Trek: Lower Decks” (CBS All Access)
Deon Cole – “Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts” (Netflix)
Laya DeLeon Hayes – “Doc McStuffins” (Disney Junior)

Outstanding Short Form Series – Comedy or Drama
“#FreeRayshawn” (Quibi)
“CripTales” (BBC America)
“Lazor Wulf” (Adult Swim)
“Mapleworth Murders” (Quibi)
“Sincerely, Camille” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

Outstanding Performance in a Short Form Series
Giancarlo Esposito – “The Broken and the Bad” (AMC.com )
B. Smoove – “Mapleworth Murders” (Quibi)
Jasmine Cephas Jones – “#FreeRayshawn” (Quibi)
Laurence Fishburne – “#FreeRayshawn” (Quibi)
Stephan James – “#FreeRayshawn” (Quibi)

Outstanding Short Form Series – Reality/Nonfiction
“American Masters” – Unladylike2020 (PBS)
“Benedict Men” (Quibi)
“Between The Scenes – The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)
“In The Making” (PBS)
“Inspire Change Series” (NFL Network)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)
Katori Hall – P-Valley (Starz)
Keith Knight – Woke (Hulu)
Ramy Youssef – Ramy (Hulu)
Raynelle Swilling – Cherish the Day (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
Teri Schaffer – Cherish the Day (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

Editor's Note: Be sure to watch the 52nd NAACP Image Awards on March 27 at 8/7c on BET. Information for this report obtained from The NAACP Image Awards publicity department.