NAACP Image Awards

The 54th annual NAACP Image Awards brought out the biggest stars of Black culture last night, as the ceremony hosted by Queen Latifah honored the past year ...

In The red carpet did not disappoint, with several style stars—including Zendaya (in her first appearance of awards season), Serena Williams, Gabrielle Union, Tracee Ellis Ross, and more—bringing their finest couture looks. In Fendi. In Tony Ward Couture. In custom Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Abbott Elementary were the standouts among award winners, as Angela Bassett did the thing, taking home Entertainer of the Year.

Zendaya pulled out all the stops for the 2023 NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles Saturday, rocking two sexy vintage looks from Prada and Versace.

[wore a re-created version](https://www.instagram.com/p/CpHC-4RLbN3/) of Prada’s white star-accented bralette with matching bottoms from the brand’s spring/summer 1993 collection. ❤️,” Selma Blair gushed, with Shay Mitchell calling the whole ensemble “UNREAL.” “Sttttoppppp! 😍.” [captioned an Instagram video](https://www.instagram.com/p/CpG6uH9jA6p/) of the actress modeling the chic look, set to Beyoncé’s “I’m That Girl.” [SERVING SERVING SERVING](https://www.instagram.com/p/CpHNCA4D887/)” at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards in Pasadena, Calif.

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade advocated for the Black LGBTQ+ community and praised their transgender daughter, Zaya, during the NAACP Image Awards.

So we are humbled, and we are hopeful for the future. ... We are hopeful that we may witness a real shift in the fight for justice: the moment the movement makes room for everyone — everyone. And now stands with us again at the foot of a very new era of activism — a new era that demands our collective answer to one simple question: Will we fight for some or will we fight for all of our people? We honestly don’t approach this work as activists or leaders as much as we do this as parents — parents who love our children and will do whatever the hell we can to keep them seen and secure and safe. That don’t enable lawmakers or justice systems to look the other way when Black trans people are under attack. [Black trans people](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-03-23/disney-dont-say-gay-bill-raven-symone-kerry-washington) are being targeted, terrorized and hunted in this country. It’s humbling to stand here surrounded by friends and heroes, OGs and icons, all working to advance the lives of Black people and pay respect to an organization that has led us through over a century of relentless challenge, pain, triumph and change. Even as we demand equality at the top of our lungs, we consistently fail to extend our advocacy to protect some of our most vulnerable among us. My role is to be a facilitator to your hopes, your wishes, your dreams. To say that your village is proud of you is an understatement. We stand up here today as two people who have worked tirelessly to have resources and access. Thank you for showing me that there’s more than just one way to communicate effectively.

Angela Bassett wins entertainer of the year, best drama actress awards.

Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities. [ Angela Bassett](https://www.nexttv.com/tag/angela-bassett), who won the Entertainer of the Year Award, as well as awards for outstanding actress in a drama series for her starring role in [9-1-1 ](https://www.nexttv.com/tag/9-1-1)and outstanding supporting actress in a motion picture for her appearance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series [Will Smith](https://www.nexttv.com/tag/will-smith) won Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his role as a runaway slave in Apple TV's Emancipation. Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Abbott Elementary stars Tyler James Williams and Janelle James also swept the best supporting comedy actor and actress categories, respectively. Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

In one of her first public appearances since being released from Russian prison, WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner spoke at the 54th NAACP Image Awards ...

[traveled ](https://www.npr.org/2022/05/04/1096545749/russia-is-wrongfully-detaining-wnba-star-brittney-griner-u-s-officials-say)to Moscow to play offseason in a Russian basketball league. In exchange for Griner's release, the U.S. After almost 10 months of tense negotiations between the U.S. Griner was detained on [drug charges](https://www.npr.org/2022/07/27/1113970880/brittney-griner-testifies-drug-trial) upon arrival after customs officials found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. Foley Legacy Foundation, a group that advocates for the release of Americans who are held hostage or wrongfully detained. A majority of those detained are in Iran, China, Venezuela, Syria and Russia.

Serena Williams, 41, won the Jackie Robinson Sports Award and Brittney Griner, 32, was honored on stage after a 10-month imprisonment in Russia.

[10-month imprisonment ](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2022/03/05/brittney-griner-arrested-russia-drug-charges/9389748002/)in Russia. Grriner was eventually [sentenced to nine years](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/mercury/2022/08/04/brittney-griner-convicted-russia-sentenced-nine-years-drug-charges/10053711002/) in a penal colony. [retired from tennis](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2022/08/09/serena-williams-retire-tennis-after-us-open-vogue/10274837002/) after the 2022 U.S. Griner, 32, missed the entire 2022 WNBA season after she was [imprisoned in Russia](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2022/03/05/brittney-griner-arrested-russia-drug-charges/9389748002/) for possession of hash oil. On Tuesday, Griner [officially re-signed with the Mercury](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/mercury/2023/02/21/brittney-griner-return-wnba-2023-phoenix-mercury/11313758002/), marking her return for her 10th season in the WNBA. Williams was given the Jackie Robinson Sports Award, which recognizes "high achievement in athletics along with their pursuit of social justice, civil rights and community involvement."