The awards season continues to heat up, with the 56th NAACP Image Awards next in line. Tune in for the live broadcast from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) on BET and simulcasted on CBS.

On Feb. 21, the NAACP Image Awards will also livestream the winners in non-televised Image Awards categories during the 56th NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors Ceremonies on their Website (naacpimageawards.net).

For more information and updates, follow NAACP Image Awards on Instagram @NAACPImageAwards.

The NAACP Image Awards honors outstanding performances in film, television, theatre, music and literature. This year's theme is, "Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Excellence."

N2Entertainment.net was honored to be selected once again, alongside other entertainment journalists, as an NAACP Nominating Committee Member to cast votes for this year's outstanding nominees in film and television.

"We look forward to celebrating the brilliance of Black talent and creativity whose stories shape culture, ignite change, and inspire generations, said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. "Through film, music, literature, and more, their voices weave a rich tapestry that honors our heritage, celebrates our identity, and proves that storytelling is a powerful force for driving true progress."

"The NAACP Image Awards stand as a testament to the brilliance, resilience, and impact of Black creatives, innovators, and changemakers," added Scott Mills, President and CEO of BET Media Group. "BET is proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the NAACP to celebrate Black excellence in all forms. Together, we shine a light on the stories, voices, and artistry that shape culture and drive progress."

One of the standout moments of this year's show will be the induction of the legendary Wayans family--Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans Sr., Kim Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Damon Wayans Jr.--into the prestigious "NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame." The comedic family will join the likes of past inductees that include: New Edition, Eddie Murphy, Oprah Winfrey, Little Richard, Sidney Poitier, Spike Lee, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Earth Wind and Fire, among others.

In addition, comedian and cultural icon Dave Chappelle will receive the prestigious President's Award. "The President's Award" is presented in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service. Previous recipients include Usher, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Dwyane Wade, Rihanna, LeBron James, Kerry Washington, Spike Lee, Muhammad Ali, Jesse Jackson, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, and Ms. Lauryn Hill.

"The President's Award honors an unwavering dedication to community, and throughout his distinguished career, Dave Chappelle has consistently been recognized as a powerful voice of social consciousness," said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. "Through his unique ability to transform complex political issues into thought-provoking humor, Dave (Chappelle) has solidified his place as one of the most impactful voices of our time. His work sparks conversations that compel people to examine their own beliefs, proving that in an age where open dialogue is increasingly rare, comedy can be both a powerful truth-teller and a driver of progress."

Chappelle is recognized as one of the greatest comedians of all time. He is the 2019 recipient of the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Chappelle's work has earned him more than 30 nominations and awards in television and film for projects that include his groundbreaking sketch comedy television series "Chappelle's Show," comedy specials, and guest appearances on "Saturday Night Live." Chappelle has received five Emmy awards, including three for his Netflix comedy specials "Sticks & Stones" (2020) and "Equanimity & The Bird Revelation" (2018), and two for hosting "Saturday Night Live" (2017 and 2021). Chappelle has also won six Grammy Awards for "Best Comedy Album," winning most recently this year with "The Dreamer."

The 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards promises to be another unforgettable evening of entertainment. Below, you'll find this year's nominees, along with N2Entertainment.net's picks for who we voted for in the film categories and those we'd love to see in television, take home the coveted award. With so many outstanding performances, it was a challenging voting process. So, congratulations to all the nominees.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:
Cynthia Erivo:
Keke Palmer
Kendrick Lamar
Kevin Hart
Shannon Sharpe

MOTION PICTURE CATEGORIES:
Outstanding Motion Picture:
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (Sony Pictures)
Bob Marley: One Love (Paramount Pictures)
The Piano Lesson (Netflix)
"The Six Triple Eight" (Netflix)
Wicked (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Actor In A Motion Picture:
Andre Holland--"Exhibiting Forgiveness" (Roadside Attractions)
Colman Domingo-- "Sing Sing" (A24)
John David Washington--"The Piano Lesson" (Netflix)
Kingsley Ben-Adir--"Bob Marley: One Love" (Paramount Pictures)
Martin Lawrence--"Bad Boys: Ride or Die" (Sony Pictures)

Outstanding Actress In A Motion Picture:
Cynthia Erivo-- "Wicked" (Universal Pictures)
Kerry Washington--"The Six Triple Eight" (Netflix)
Lashana Lynch--"Bob Marley: One Love" (Paramount Pictures)
Lupita Nyong'o-- "A Quiet Place: Day One" (Paramount Pictures)
Regina King --"Shirley" (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Motion Picture:
Brian Tyree Henry--"The Fire Inside" (Amazon MGM Studios)
Corey Hawkins--"The Piano Lesson" (Netflix)
David Alan Grier--"The American Society of Magical Negroes" (Focus Features)
Denzel Washington--"Gladiator II" (Paramount Pictures)
Samuel L. Jackson--"The Piano Lesson" (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Motion Picture:
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor--"Exhibiting Forgiveness" (Roadside Attractions)
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor--"Nickel Boys" (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
Danielle Deadwyler--"The Piano Lesson" (Netflix)
Ebony Obsidian--"The Six Triple Eight" (Netflix)
Lynn Whitfield--"Albany Road" (Faith Filmworks)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture:
"Albany Road" (Faith Filmworks)
"Exhibiting Forgiveness" (Roadside Attractions)
"Rob Peace" (Republic Pictures)
"Sing Sing" (A24)
"We Grown Now" (Sony Pictures Classics)

Outstanding International Motion Picture:
"El lugar de la otra" (Netflix)
"Emilia Perez" (Netflix)
"Memoir of a Snail" (IFC Films)
"The Seed of the Sacred Fig" (NEON)
"The Wall Street Boy," Kipkemboi (ArtMattan Films)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance In A Motion Picture:
Brandon Wilson--"Nickel Boys" (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
Clarence Maclin--"Sing Sing" (A24)
Danielle Deadwyler--"The Piano Lesson" (Netflix)
Ebony Obsidian--"The Six Triple Eight" (Netflix)
Ryan Destiny--"The Fire Inside" (Amazon MGM Studios)

Outstanding Ensemble Cast In A Motion Picture:
"Bob Marley: One Love" (Paramount Pictures)
"The Book of Clarence" (Sony Pictures)
"The Piano Lesson" (Netflix)
"The Six Triple Eight" (Netflix)
"Wicked" (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture:
"Inside Out 2" (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
"Kung Fu Panda 4" (DreamWorks Animation)
"Moana 2" (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
"Piece by Piece" (Focus Features)
"The Wild Robot" (DreamWorks Animation)

Outstanding Character Voice--Over Performance--Motion Picture:
Aaron Pierre--"Mufasa: The Lion King" (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Anika Noni Rose--"Mufasa: The Lion King" (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Ayo Edebiri--"Inside Out 2" (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Blue Ivy Carter--"Mufasa: The Lion King" (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Lupita Nyong'o--"The Wild Robot" (DreamWorks Animation)

Outstanding Short Form (Live Action) :
"Chocolate with Sprinkles" (AFI)
"Definitely Not a Monster"
"If They Took Us Back"
"My Brother & Me" (MeowBark Films)
"Superman Doesn't Steal"

Outstanding Short Form (Animated):
if(fy) (OTB/The Hidden Hand Studios)
Nate & John (Unity Animation Project, LLC)
Peanut Headz: Black History Toonz "Jackie Robinson" (Exhibit Treal Studios)
Self (Pixar Animation Studios)
Walk in the Light (419 Studios)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture) :
David Fortune--"Color Book" (Tribeca Studios)
Malcolm Washington--"The Piano Lesson" (Netflix)
RaMell Ross--"Nickel Boys" (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
Titus Kaphar--"Exhibiting Forgiveness" (Roadside Attractions)
Zoe Kravitz--"Blink Twice" (Amazon MGM Studios)

Outstanding Youth Performance In A Motion Picture:
Anthony B. Jenkins--"The Deliverance" (Netflix)
Blake Cameron James--"We Grown Now" (Sony Pictures Classics)
Jeremiah Daniels--"Color Book" (Tribeca Studios)
Percy Daggs IV--"Never Let Go" (Lionsgate)
Skylar Aleece Smith --"The Piano Lesson" (Netflix)

Outstanding Cinematography In A Motion Picture:
Andres Arochi--"Longlegs" (NEON)
Jomo Fray--"Nickel Boys" (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
Justin Derry--"She Taught Love" (Andscape)
Lachlan Milne--"Exhibiting Forgiveness" (Roadside Attractions)
Rob Hardy--"The Book of Clarence" (Sony Pictures)

TELEVISION AND STREAMING CATEGORIES:
"Outstanding Comedy Series:
"Abbott Elementary" (ABC)
"How to Die Alone" (Hulu)
"Poppa's House" (CBS)
"The Neighborhood" (CBS)
"The Upshaws" (Netflix)

Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series:
Cedric The Entertainer--"The Neighborhood" (CBS)
Damon Wayans--"Poppa's House" (CBS)
David Alan Grier--"St. Denis Medical" (NBC)
Delroy Lindo--"UnPrisoned" (Hulu)
Mike Epps--"The Upshaws" (Netflix)

Outstanding Actress In A Comedy Series:
Ayo Edebiri--"The Bear" (FX/Hulu)
Kerry Washington--"UnPrisoned" (Hulu)
Natasha Rothwell--"How to Die Alone" (Hulu)
Quinta Brunson--"Abbott Elementary" (ABC)
Tichina Arnold--"The Neighborhood" (CBS)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:
Damon Wayans Jr--"Poppa's House" (CBS)
Giancarlo Esposito--"The Gentlemen" (Netflix)
Kenan Thompson--"Saturday Night Live" (NBC)
Tyler James Williams--"Abbott Elementary" (ABC)
William Stanford Davis--"Abbott Elementary" (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series:
Danielle Pinnock--"Ghosts" (CBS)
Ego Nwodim--"Saturday Night Live" (NBC)
Janelle James--"Abbott Elementary" (ABC)
Sheryl Lee Ralph--"Abbott Elementary" (ABC)
Wanda Sykes--"The Upshaws" (Netflix)

Outstanding Drama Series:
"9-1-1" (ABC)
"Bel-Air" (Peacock)
"Cross" (Amazon Prime Video)
"Found" (NBC)
"Reasonable Doubt" (Hulu)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series:
Aldis Hodge--"Cross" (Amazon Prime Video)
Donald Glover--"Mr. & Mrs. Smith" (Amazon Prime Video)
Harold Perrineau--"FROM" (MGM+)
Jabari Banks--"Bel-Air" (Peacock)
Michael Rainey Jr.--"Power Book II: Ghost" (Starz)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series:
Angela Bassett--"9-1-1" (ABC)
Emayatzy Corinealdi--"Reasonable Doubt" (Hulu)
Queen Latifah--"The Equalizer" (CBS)
Shanola Hampton--"Found" (NBC)
Zoe Saldana--"Lioness" (Paramount+)

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series:
Adrian Holmes--"Bel-Air" (Peacock)
Cliff "Method Man" Smith--"Power Book II: Ghost" (Starz)
Isaiah Mustafa--"Cross" (Amazon Prime Video)
Jacob Latimore--"The Chi" (Paramount+)
Morris Chestnut--"Reasonable Doubt" (Hulu)

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series:
Adjoa Andoh--"Bridgerton" (Netflix)
Coco Jones--"Bel-Air" (Peacock)
Golda Rosheuvel--"Bridgerton" (Netflix)
Lorraine Toussaint--"The Equalizer" (CBS)
Lynn Whitfield--"The Chi" (Paramount+)

Outstanding Limited Television (Series, Special Or Movie):
"Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist" (Peacock)
"Genius: MLK/X" (National Geographic)
"Griselda" (Netflix)
"Rebel Ridge" (Netflix)
"The Madness" (Netflix)

Outstanding Actor In A Limited Television (Series, Special Or Movie) :
Aaron Pierre--"Rebel Ridge" (Netflix)
Colman Domingo--"The Madness" (Netflix)
Kelvin Harrison Jr.--"Genius: MLK/X" (National Geographic)
Kevin Hart--"Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist" (Peacock)
Laurence Fishburne "Clipped" (FX/Hulu)

Outstanding Actress In A Limited Television (Series, Special Or Movie) :
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor--"The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat" (Hulu/Searchlight Pictures)
Naturi Naughton--"Abducted at an HBCU: A Black Girl Missing Movie" (Lifetime)
Sanaa Lathan--"The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat" (Hulu/Searchlight Pictures)
Sofia Vergara--"Griselda" (Netflix)
Uzo Aduba--"The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat" (Hulu/Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Television (Series, Special Or Movie)
Don Cheadle--"Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist" (Peacock)
Luke James--"Them: The Scare" (Amazon Prime Video)
Ron Cephas Jones--"Genius: MLK/X" (National Geographic)
Samuel L. Jackson--"Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist" (Peacock)
Terrence Howard--"Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist" (Peacock)

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Television (Series, Special Or Movie)
Brandy Norwood--"Descendants: The Rise of Red" (Disney+)
Jayme Lawson--"Genius: MLK/X" (National Geographic)
Loretta Devine--"Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted By Love" (Lifetime)
Sanaa Lathan--"Young. Wild. Free." (BET+)
Taraji P. Henson--"Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist" (Peacock)

Outstanding News/Information (Series Or Special) :
"Black Men's Summit" (BET Media Group)
"Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr." (PBS)
"Laura Coates Live" (CNN)
"NewsNight with Abby Phillip" (CNN)
"The ReidOut" (MSNBC)

Outstanding Talk Series:
"Hart to Heart" (Peacock)
"Sherri" (Syndicated)
"Tamron Hall Show" (Syndicated)
"The Jennifer Hudson Show" (Syndicated)
"The Shop Season 7" (YouTube)

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition Or Game Show (Series):
"Celebrity Family Feud" (ABC)
"Password" (NBC)
"Rhythm + Flow" (Netflix)
"The Real Housewives of Potomac" (Bravo)
"Tia Mowry: My Next Act" (We TV)

Outstanding Variety Show (Series Or Special) :
"BET Awards 2024" (BET Media Group)
"Deon Cole: Ok, Mister" (Netflix)
"Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was...(Netflix)
"Katt Williams: Woke Foke" (Netflix)
Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Outstanding Children's Program:
"Craig of the Creek" (Cartoon Network)
"Descendants: The Rise of Red" (Disney+)
"Gracie's Corner" (YouTube TV)
"Sesame Street" (MAX)
"Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin" (Apple TV+)

Outstanding Performance By A Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie Or Limited Series) :
Caleb Elijah--"Cross" (Amazon Prime Video)
Graceyn Hollingsworth--"Gracie's Corner" (YouTube TV)
Leah Sava' Jeffries--"Percy Jackson and the Olympians" (Disney+)
Melody Hurd--"Cross" (Amazon Prime Video)
TJ Mixson--"The Madness" (Netflix)

Outstanding Host In A Talk Or News/Information (Series Or Special) --Individual Or Ensemble:
Abby Phillip --"NewsNight with Abby Phillip" (CNN)
Henry Louis Gates Jr.--"Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr." (PBS)
Jennifer Hudson--"The Jennifer Hudson Show" (Syndicated)
Joy Reid--"The Reidout" (MSNBC)
Sherri Shepherd--"Sherri" (Syndicated)

Outstanding Host In A Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show Or Variety (Series or Special) --Individual or Ensemble:
Alfonso Ribeiro--"Dancing with the Stars" (ABC)
Keke Palmer--"Password" (NBC)
Nick Cannon--"The Masked Singer" (FOX)
Steve Harvey--"Celebrity Family Feud" (ABC)
Taraji P. Henson--"BET Awards 2024" (BET Media Group)

Outstanding Guest Performance:
Ayo Edebiri--"Saturday Night Live" (NBC)
Cree Summer--"Abbott Elementary" (ABC)
Keegan-Michael Key--"Abbott Elementary" (ABC)
Marlon Wayans--"Bel-Air" (Peacock)
Maya Rudolph--"Saturday Night Live" (NBC)

Outstanding Animated Series:
"Disney Jr.'s Ariel" (Disney Jr.)
"Everybody Still Hates Chris" (Comedy Central)
"Gracie's Corner" (YouTube TV)
"Iwaju" (Disney+)
"Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur" (Disney Channel)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television):
Angela Bassett--"Orion and the Dark" (Netflix)
Cree Summer--"Rugrats" (Nickelodeon)
Cree Summer--"The Legend of Vox Machina" (Amazon Prime Video)
Dawnn Lewis--"Star Trek: Lower Decks" (Paramount+)
Keke Palmer--"The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy" (Amazon Prime Video)

Outstanding Short Form Series or Special--Reality/Nonfiction /Documentary:
"In the Margins" (PBS)
"NCAA Basketball on CBS Sports" (CBS)
"Roots of Resistance" (PBS)
"SC Featured" (ESPN)
"The Prince of Death Row Records" (YouTube TV)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television):
Ayo Edebiri--"The Bear" (FX/Hulu)
Diarra Kilpatrick--"Diarra From Detroit" (BET+)
Maurice Williams--"The Madness" (Netflix)
Thembi L. Banks--"Young. Wild. Free." (BET+)
Vince Staples--"The Vince Staples Show" (Netflix)

Editor's Note: Don't miss the 56th NAACP Image Awards Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) on BET and CBS.