2025 NAACP Image Awards: These NAACP Image Awards Speeches Had Us Cheering and Tearing Up!
The 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards was a night filled with powerful words that moved the room.
Hosted by Deon Cole on February 22, 2025, the evening brought laughter, standing ovations, and more than a few tearful moments as winners took the stage to deliver speeches that were raw, inspiring, and deeply personal.
From heartfelt tributes to calls for justice, these moments weren’t just thank-you speeches; they were declarations of resilience, love, and legacy. Whether it was a veteran star reflecting on their journey or a rising talent owning their moment, these speeches left us feeling seen, proud, and ready to keep pushing forward.
Let’s take a look at the standout speeches that had us cheering—and reaching for the tissues.
Keke Palmer’s Entertainer of the Year speech
The multi-hyphenate star, who has been gracing our screens since childhood, dedicated her award to her longtime supporters.
In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Palmer emphasized the importance of community and self-empowerment, recalling advice from actress Aunjanue Ellis: "You always have to ask to see that nobody's table; just make your own table with your folks." Reflecting on her two-decade-long career, Palmer acknowledged the unwavering support from her community, noting, "Nobody has uplifted me more than you all, the people in this room."
Kerry Washington accepts Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Winning Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for “Six Triple Eight,” Kerry Washington used her moment to highlight the importance of telling untold Black stories.
“How Extraordinary we have always been in a time when our history is being ripped from us when people are trying to get us to not tell our stories; we are telling your stories, ladies, because you are calling us forward into our greatness,” she shared, adding, “And that’s what this is about, it's about we all of us being called into our greatness. So remember your greatness because that is what the fight is for.
Kamala Harris accepts the Chairman’s Award with a powerful call to action
In her acceptance speech, Harris expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “As a proud lifetime member of the NAACP, I thank everyone for your tireless advocacy.”
Harris emphasized the urgency of continued activism, quoting W.E.B. Du Bois: “It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year.” She called for vigilance in the pursuit of liberty, stating, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty... to stay alert, to seek the truth, and to actively participate in the fight for America's future.”
The former Vice President also addressed the challenges facing the nation, acknowledging feelings of uncertainty but urging collective action: “Some see the flames on our horizons... and ask, what do we do now? But we know exactly what to do because we have done it before and we will do it again.” She highlighted the power of community and faith, asserting, “Our strength flows from our faith in God, faith in each other, and our refusal to surrender to cynicism and destruction.”
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Dave Chappelle accepts the President’s Award
Honored with the President’s Award for his impact on comedy and culture, comedy icon Dave Chappelle delivered a speech that balanced humor with depth.
In his acceptance speech, Chappelle expressed deep gratitude, stating, “This one tonight is probably the most special one I've ever gotten because it's from this institution that represents these people, us, people of color.”
The actor reflected on the NAACP's enduring efforts to combat negative portrayals of African Americans in media, recalling how the organization established its first Hollywood office in 1927 to challenge such depictions. He emphasized the ongoing struggle for representation, noting, “Each and every artist in here, every opportunity we get... we just keep chipping away at this monster of a machine.”
The Wayans Family Inducted into the Hall of Fame
The Wayans family—pioneers of comedy, film, and television—was inducted into the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame. Memeber of the iconic family, including Damon and Marlon Wayans took the stage to accept the honor. With their signature mix of humor and sincerity, they reflected on their family’s decades-long journey of breaking barriers in Hollywood.