The NAACP Image Awards have long been a beacon of excellence, honoring the achievements of Black artists, creators, and changemakers. While the star-studded televised ceremony highlights some of the biggest wins of the night, many powerful moments unfold off-camera. This year, in partnership with Vicks, we’re shining a light on the unaired winners whose contributions deserve just as much recognition.

One of the most significant honors of the weekend, the Mildred Bond Roxborough Social Justice Impact Award, was presented to Jotaka Eaddy for her unwavering advocacy and leadership in social justice. Additionally, the Vanguard Award went to Essence, recognizing its longstanding influence in amplifying Black voices and culture.

Young talent took center stage with Skylar Aleece Smith winning Outstanding Youth Performance in a Motion Picture for her role in The Piano Lesson. Meanwhile, Leah Sava Jeffries was celebrated for her role in Percy Jackson and the Olympians in the television category. Gracie’s Corner was a double winner, earning accolades for Outstanding Children’s Program and Outstanding Animated Series, continuing its reign as a cultural favorite among families.

This year’s winners in television and film showcased the depth of Black talent across genres.

• Naturi Naughton (Abducted at an HBCU: A Black Girl Missing Movie) and Aaron Pierre (Rebel Ridge) took home the top acting honors in the limited series category.
• Abbott Elementary continued its winning streak with Outstanding Comedy Series, while Cross claimed the title of Outstanding Drama Series.
• Legendary talents like Lynn Whitfield (The Chi) and Method Man (Power Book II: Ghost) were recognized for their outstanding supporting performances.
• Denzel Washington (Gladiator II) and Ebony Obsidian (The Six Triple Eight) received well-deserved honors for their supporting roles in film.
• Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist dominated, winning Outstanding Limited Television Series and securing additional wins for Taraji P. Henson, Samuel L. Jackson, and Lawrence Davis for hairstyling.

The NAACP Image Awards also honored impactful storytelling through digital media and literature:

• Club Shay Shay (hosted by Shannon Sharpe) won Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast.
• Two Funny Mamas earned Outstanding Sports, Arts and Entertainment Podcast.
• In literature, Medgar and Myrlie by Joy-Ann Reid won for Outstanding Biography/Autobiography, and One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole claimed Outstanding Literary Work - Fiction.
• Fawn Weaver’s Love & Whiskey took home the award for Outstanding Literary Work - Non-Fiction, shedding light on an untold history of American spirits.

Music remains at the heart of Black culture, and this year’s winners reflected the diversity and excellence of the industry.

• Beyoncé secured Outstanding Female Artist and Outstanding Album for Cowboy Carter, while Chris Brown won Outstanding Male Artist.
• Doechii was crowned Outstanding New Artist, and Kendrick Lamar’s viral anthem Not Like Us took home Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song.
• Gospel legend Tamela Mann earned two awards for Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song (Working for Me) and Outstanding Album (Live Breathe Fight).
• Wizkid and Brent Faiyaz were honored for Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary) with Piece of My Heart.
• Samara Joy’s Portrait was named Outstanding Jazz Album.

Behind-the-scenes creative excellence was also recognized:

• RaMell Ross took home both Outstanding Writing and Directing in a Motion Picture for Nickel Boys.
• Crystal Jenkins (No Good Deed - Letters of Intent) and Ben Watkins (Cross - Hero Complex) won for writing in comedy and drama, respectively.
• Tiffany Johnson (How to Die Alone - Trust No One) and Rapman (Supacell) earned directing honors in comedy and drama.
• Dawn Porter’s Luther: Never Too Much won Outstanding Documentary (Motion Picture), while Black Barbie won for Outstanding Documentary (Television).
• Paul Tazewell’s costume work in Wicked won Outstanding Costume Design.
• Blue Ivy Carter made history with her win for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture) in Mufasa: The Lion King.

While these wins may not have been broadcast, their impact is undeniable. From trailblazing actors to powerful storytellers and creative innovators, the honorees at the 56th NAACP Image Awards continue to shape the future of Black excellence. Thanks to Vicks, we celebrate these voices, ensuring that every contribution to Black culture and achievement gets the recognition it deserves.

Take a look at the full list of unaired winners below:

The Mildred Bond Roxborough Social Justice Impact Award

Jotaka Eaddy

Vanguard Award

Essence

Outstanding Youth Performance in a Motion Picture

Skylar Aleece Smith — “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture

Inside Out 2 (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

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

Jennifer Hudson — “The Jennifer Hudson” (Syndicated)

Outstanding Talk Series

The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)

Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast

Club Shay Shay (Shay Shay Media & The Volume)

Outstanding Sports, Arts and Entertainment Podcast

Two Funny Mamas (Mocha Podcasts Network)

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

Naturi Naughton — “Abducted at an HBCU: A Black Girl Missing Movie” (Lifetime)

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

Aaron Pierre — “Rebel Ridge” (Netflix)

Outstanding Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist (Peacock)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Danielle Pinnock — “Ghosts” (CBS)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Damon Wayans Jr. — “Poppa’s House” (CBS)

Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Lynn Whitfield — “The Chi” (Paramount+)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Cliff “Method Man” Smith — “Power Book II: Ghost” (Starz)

Outstanding Drama Series

Cross (Amazon Prime Video)

Outstanding Documentary (Television)

Black Barbie: A Documentary (Netflix)

Outstanding Documentary (Motion Picture)

Luther: Never Too Much (Sony Music Entertainment/Sony Music Publishing/CNN Films)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

Sing Sing (A24)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture

RaMell Ross, Joslyn Barnes — Nickel Boys (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture

RaMell Ross — Nickel Boys (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Ebony Obsidian — “The Six Triple Eight” (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Denzel Washington — “Gladiator II” (Paramount Pictures)

Outstanding Social Media Personality of the Year Nominees

Shirley Raines

Outstanding Children's Program

“Gracie’s Corner” - YouTube TV

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

Leah Sava Jeffries - “Percy Jackson and the Olympics”  (Disney+)

 Outstanding Animated Series

“Gracie’s Corner” - YouTube TV

 Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)

Cree Summer - “Rugrats” (Nickelodeon)

 Outstanding Literary Work - Fiction

“One of Us Knows: A Thriller” - Alyssa Cole (William Morrow - HarperCollins Publishers)

 Outstanding Literary Work - Non-Fiction

“Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest” - Fawn Weaver (Melcher Media Inc.)

Outstanding Literary Work - Debut Author

Sarai Johnson - “Grown Women”  (Harper - HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work -  Biography/Autobiography

“Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America” - Joy-Ann Reid (Mariner Books - HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work - Instructional

“Wash Day: Passing on the Legacy, Rituals, and Love of Natural Hair” - Tomesha Faxio (Clarkson Potter - Crown Publishing Group)

 Outstanding Literary Work - Poetry

“This Is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets” - Kwame Alexander (Little, Brown and Company - Hachette Book Group)

 Outstanding Literary Work - Children

“You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!): A Lil TJ Book” - Taraji P. Henson, Paul Kellam (Zonderkidz - HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work -  Youth/Teens

“Brushed Between Cultures: A YA Coming of Age Novel Set in Brooklyn, New York” - Samarra St. Hilaire (Self-Published)

Outstanding Literary Work -  Graphic Novel

“Punk Rock Karaoke” - Bianca Xunise

 Outstanding Variety (Series or Special)

“Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was” (Netflix)

 Outstanding Guest Performance

Marlon Wayans - “Bel-Air” (Peacock)

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

Crystal Jenkins - “No Good Deed - Letters of Intent” Netflix)

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

Ben Watkins - Cross “Hero Complex” (Prime Video)

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special

Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Thembi L. Banks - “Young. Wild. Free.” (BET+)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

Ayo Edebiri - “The Bear” (FX/Hulu)

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

Taraji P. Henson - “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)

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

Samuel L. Jackson - “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special

Tina Mabry - “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” (Hulu)

 Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

Tiffany Johnson - “How to Die Alone - ‘Trust No One’” (Hulu)

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

Rapman - “Supacell - ‘Supacell’” (Netflix)

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)

“The Reidout” - MSNBC

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

Keke Palmer - “Password” (NBC)

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition Services/Game Show 

“Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC)

 Outstanding ShortForm Series or Special - Reality/Nonfiction/Documentary

“The Prince of Death Row Records” (YouTube TV)

 Outstanding Short Form Documentary (Film)

“How to Sue the Klan”

 Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)

“Superman Doesn’t Steal” 

 Outstanding Short Form (Animated)

“Peanut Headz: Black History Toonz “Jackie Robinson” (Exhibit Treal Studios)

 Outstanding New Artist

Doechii - (Capitol Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)

Outstanding Male Artist

Chris Brown - (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)

Outstanding Female Artist

Beyoncé - (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment LLC) 

 Outstanding International Song

“Hmmm” - Chris Brown feat. Davido (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)

Outstanding Jazz Album

“Portrait” - Samara Joy (Verve Records)

 Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song

“Working For Me” - Tamela Mann (Tillymann Music Group)

 Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album

“Live Breathe Fight” - Tamela Mann (Tillymann Music Group)

 Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)

Adam Blackstone & Fantasia - “Summertime” (BASSic Black Entertainment Records/Anderson Music Group/EMPIRE)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)

Wizkid feat. Brent Faiyaz - “Piece of My Heart” (RCA Records/Sony Music International/Starboy Entertainment)

Outstanding Original Score for Television/Film

“Star Wars: The Acolyte (Original Soundtrack)” - (Walt Disney Records)

Outstanding Song - Hip-Hop/Rap Song

“Not Like Us” - Kendrick Lamar (pgLang, under exclusive license to Interscope Records)

Outstanding Album

“Cowboy Carter” - Beyoncé (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment LLC)

Outstanding Podcast - Limited Series/Short Form

“Stranded” - (Broadway Video and Audible)

 Outstanding Podcast - News and Information 

“Native Land Pod” - (iHeartPodcasts, Reasoned Choice Media)

 Outstanding Podcast -  Lifestyle/Self-Help

“We Don’t Always Agree with Ryan & Sterling” - (ABF Creative & Indian Meadows Production)

Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Motion Picture)

“Wicked” - Paul Tazewell (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Hair Styling (Television or Motion Picture)

“Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” - Lawrence Davis (Peacock)

 Outstanding Make-up (Television or Motion Picture)

“Shirley” - Debi Young (Netflix)

 Outstanding Stunt Ensemble

“Rebel Ridge” - Keith Woulard, Nico Woulard (Netflix) 

 Outstanding International Motion Picture

“Emilia Pérez” - (Netflix)

 Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture)

Blue Ivy Carter - “Mufasa: The Lion King” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture)

Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture)

Dawn Porter - “Luther: Never Too Much” (Sony Music Entertainment/Sony Music Publishing/CNN Films)

Outstanding Cinematography in a Motion Picture

Jomo Fray - “Nickel Boys” (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

Malcolm Washington - “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

Ebony Obsidian - “The Six Triple Eight” (Netflix)

 Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture

“The Six Triple Eight” - (Netflix)