Keke Palmer took home the prestigious Entertainer of the Year award at the 56th NAACP Image Awards, held in Los Angeles. Palmer was recognized for her outstanding performance in the 2025 tragicomedy film One of Them Days, where she starred alongside R&B singer SZA and actor Katt Williams. The film has been widely praised, boasting a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics highlighting Palmer’s standout role. In her acceptance speech, Palmer emphasized the importance of community support, saying, “It’s so important that we come here together and celebrate one another. Nobody has uplifted me more than you, all the people in this room.” Known for her breakthrough role in the 2006 film Akeelah and the Bee, Palmer’s success continued with her leading role in the Nickelodeon series True Jackson, VP in 2008.
The NAACP Image Awards, organized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, are among the most prestigious honors celebrating the achievements of Black artists and entertainers. The event also recognized Kamala Harris, who received the Chairman’s Award for her exceptional contributions to public service and her efforts to drive meaningful change. Harris delivered a powerful speech, acknowledging the challenges the nation faces. Reflecting on her recent defeat in the presidential election to Donald Trump, she stated, “While we have no illusions about what we are up against in this chapter of our American story, this chapter will be written not simply by whoever occupies the Oval Office nor by the wealthiest among us. The American story will be written by you, written by us, by we the people.”
Another significant moment of the evening was the induction of the Wayans family into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame. The legendary comedy family, including Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans Sr., Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Kim Wayans, and Damon Wayans Jr., was honored for their contributions to Hollywood and their impact on comedy. Keenen Ivory Wayans, known for creating and starring in In Living Color during the 1990s, played a pivotal role in opening doors for Black comedians and helping launch the careers of stars such as Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Lopez, and Jim Carrey. Previous Hall of Fame inductees include entertainment icons such as Eddie Murphy, Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Spike Lee, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
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