2023 NAACP Image Awards: 5 Memorable Acceptance Speech Moments from This Year’s Ceremony
The 2023 NAACP Image Awards featured many trophy presentations and even more powerful speech acceptance moments from this year’s winners, including legendary actress Angela Bassett, civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, show creator and star Quinta Brunson, and many more. In honor of another successful ceremony hosted by actress and producer Queen Latifah, we’re looking back at some of our favorite moments, including powerful speeches from winners that not only called out for community support but promised to continue fighting for the Black community.
Ryan Coogler / Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Director Ryan Coogler accepted the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion picture for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and did not miss the opportunity to honor King T’Challa, better known as the late Chadwick Boseman, sharing “We lost a giant, and he left a giant void in our hearts, but we gained an ancestor.”
Angela Bassett / 9-1-1
Renowned thespian Angela Bassett has won over a dozen NAACP Image Award trophies. She added one more during this year’s ceremony after winning “Outstanding Actress In A Drama Series” at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards for her role as Athena Grant in 9-1-1.
She reflected on the earlier years of her career, stating, “Some of you may recall that when I first came to LA, I did a lot of episodic TV. When Ryan Murphy (the show’s writer) shared his vision and idea that he wanted me to be a part of 9-1-1, I was excited to see what it was we could do. It’s been six years, and we’re still standing strong.”
Quinta Brunson / Abbott Elementary
ABC’s hit series Abbott Elementary won the “Outstanding Comedy Series” award. Show creator and star Quinta Brunson accepted the award alongside her castmates Tyler James Williams, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, and William Standford Davis. During her acceptance speech, the rising Hollywood star expressed how “grateful” she was to be receiving the prestigious award. She added, “We were blessed to have a wonderful experience this award season, but it’s nothing like w an NAACP [Image] award. We’re happy that we’re able to make this show that is accessible to everyone but for and by us.” ”
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Benjamin Crump
Civil Rights attorney Benjamin Crump received this year’s NAACP Social Justice Impact Award for his efforts in protecting the rights of people on the federal, state, and local levels.
During his acceptance speech, Crump promised to “use this Social Justice Award as greater incentive to fight against the legalized genocide of colored people and vow never to stop fighting racism and discrimination when it rears its ugly head.”
He also addressed recent attempts made by politicians to erase African American history teachings from classrooms. “I will continue to fight in the court of law, in the court of public opinion,” Crump said. “And now that they’re trying to ban our most celebrated Black authors in AP African American studies, we must advocate for our children and our culture in the classrooms and demand that they acknowledge that the teaching of Black history matters!”
Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Union / President’s Awards
Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union-Wade were honored with the Presidential Award at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards. The prestigious award is given to those who are not only changemakers but those who believe in community service and advocating for others.
The couple gave a powerful speech about the community embracing LGBTQ rights, with Union posing the question: “Will we fight for some, or will we fight for all of our people?”
