Black Excellence Celebrated at 49th Annual NAACP Image Awards

Every year, black excellence is celebrated at the NAACP Image Awards and on Monday night’s airing of the 49th annual Image Awards held at the Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif., Ava DuVernay took home the entertainer of the year award.

During DuVernay’s acceptance speech, she mentioned her fellow black creatives such as Ryan Coogler, Kenya Barris and Shonda Rhimes.

“This is our time,” DuVernay said. “We can say we were here when all this gorgeous art was happening, and that we supported it — that we lifted each other up, that we did as Dr. King said we would do: Live the dream. We’re the dream.”

With all eyes on the #MeToo and Time’s Up movement, Laverne Cox, Kerry Washington, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jurnee Smollet-Bell, Lena Waithe and Angela Robinson issued a call to everyone pledging their support for Time’s Up and urged people to head to the polls

“The midterms are a perfect moment for us to use our voices,” Robinson said. “If we can take back a senate seat in Alabama…”

“Then we have the ability to shift the imbalance of power,” Smollet-Bell said.

Of course with Anthony Anderson hosting, his monologue included jokes directed at the White House and he took a stab at Omarosa Manigault. But he wasn’t the only one who expressed contempt. During Will Packer’s acceptance speech for the outstanding film award, that of course went to Girls Trip, the director referenced Donald Trump’s ‘shithole’ comments.

“Sisters, especially the ones from Haiti and Africa, we love you as your brothers,” he said.

Other winners of the night included Get Out which earned Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for star Daniel Kaluuya, and writing and directing awards for Jordan Peele.

“I don’t think you’re allowed to beat Denzel Washington in acting competitions,”said Kaluuya.

“So many people didn’t believe in me, and you did, and you made all of us feel included,” Kaluuya said. “Thank you so much for letting us be seen.”

Among the winners in TV categories were Power, Insecure, Scandal, and …

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