2025 NAACP Image Awards Moments We’re Still Talking About

Source: Gilbert Flores / Getty Keke Palmer at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards

We always show up for our people, so there’s no way we were missing the 2025 NAACP Image Awards. Some of the biggest names in Black Hollywood came together to celebrate outstanding portrayals of Black stories on screens, on stages, and in page-turners.

This year’s ceremony focused on the origins of the organization and the way that it has helped shape depictions of Black excellence throughout its existence.

As the golden age of television gives way to economic austerity and guardrails against systemic exclusion start sinking, it is more important than ever to have dynamic portrayals of Black life in the arts. There was an air of awareness of that as performers, political forces, and producers said their peace at the podium,

Keep scrolling to see some more of the powerful moments we can’t stop yapping about after the ceremony.

Source: Robin L Marshall / Getty

Keke Palmer Reminding Us Our Tables Are Worth Sitting At

Entertainer of the Year award-winner Keke Palmer made her way to the podium with a message on her heart. She turned to the crowd and shared that she owed her career to her community – not to mainstream gatekeepers after a brief song break in celebration of her fellow nominee, Cynthia Ervio.

“I just want to say it’s so important that we come here together and celebrate one another with one another,” said Palmer. “Nobody has uplifted me more than you all, the people in this room.”

She rejected the idea that you have to be “white famous” to be successful.

“It’s important to remember that what we choose and what we deem as important is enough,” Palmer stated. She ended by sharing a quote from a conversation she had with award-winning Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor next. “You don’t always have to ask for a seat at nobody’s table. Just make your own table with your folks.”

Source: Paras Griffin / Getty

Kamala Harris Reminding Us We’ve Been Down Bad Before

We miss precedented times! It is hard to remain hopeful when the news is never ending dumpster fire. Former Vice President Kamala Harris handed out some hope with a beautiful message during her acceptance speech for the Chairman’s Award.

“Some see the flames on our horizons, the rising waters in our cities, the shadows gathering over our democracy, 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. We use our power. We organize, we mobilize, we educate and we advocate,” she said.

Dave Chapelle Reminding Us What The NAACP Is Fighting For

The NAACP Image Awards are about celebrating “outstanding performances in film, television, theatre, music, and literature.” These accomplishments fight a media landscape that is not always inclusive or respectful of the nuances and beauty of what it means to be Black.

Dave Chapelle gave a brief history lesson when accepting the President’s Award.

He mentioned the way that the NAACP works to counter harmful and dangerous stereotypes. “In 1915, the movie Birth of a Nation came out and had a hideous depiction of African-Americans and by 1927, the NAACP had opened its first office here in Hollywood. And from then, 100 years ago to this very night, they have been chipping away at this industry so that people like me can stand up in front of people and tell my story, or our stories,” said Chapelle. “Each and every artist in here every opportunity we get, every time we’re on camera, on stage we just keep chipping away at this monster of a machine.”

Chapelle also took the time out to honor his collaborator director Stan Lathan who has been telling heartfelt Black stories for generations.

Source: Aaron J. Thornton / Getty

Kerry Washington Reminding Us History Is The Greatest Teacher

Kerry Washington began her Outstanding Actress Award acceptance speech with a nod to Beyoncé’s shock at the Grammy Awards. The Six Triple Eight actress reminded us about the true stars of the film, the 855 women who worked to bring comfort to soldiers in extraordinary circumstances.

“I want to most importantly thank the women of the 6888, the 855 women of the 6888, who proved to us how extraordinary Black women are, how extraordinary we have always been,” said Washington.

The producer behind Simpson Street Productions addressed the current political climate in the next phase of her speech.

“At 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. And that’s what tonight is about. It’s about all of us being called into our greatness,” she continued.

“So remember your greatness because that is what the fight is for.”

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