NAACP Image Awards: Shocking Snubs & HUGE Wins! Did YOUR Fave Make the Cut?!

Michelle Obama, Will Packer, and Kendrick Lamar all snagged wins on the first night of the 2026 NAACP Image Awards, a testament to their enduring influence and contributions to Black culture. Talk about a powerhouse trio! It's always inspiring to see such impactful figures recognized for their achievements.

NAACP Image Awards: Shocking Snubs & HUGE Wins! Di...

The initial winners, announced Monday via streaming presentation, covered literary works, short-form content, and digital creators. These awards are part of a lead-up to the main event, showcasing the sheer volume of talent and creativity within the Black community. Honestly, with 93 categories, you could probably find an Image Award for just about anything amazing that happened this year. It's a seriously comprehensive celebration.

The pre-ceremonies continue Wednesday with a focus on music and podcasts, followed by Thursday's unveiling of winners in film, television, and writing. These segments represent the lion’s share of the Image Awards, and you can bet there will be some serious buzz around those categories. I'm particularly eager to see who takes home the honors in the film and TV categories; it's been a phenomenal year for Black storytelling on screen.

But the big night, of course, is Saturday, February 28th. Tune in at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on BET and CBS to catch the 57th NAACP Image Awards live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Viola Davis is set to receive the Chairman's Award, and Colman Domingo will be honored with the President's Award. Two incredibly deserving individuals!

Kendrick Lamar isn't just resting on his Super Bowl laurels; he's also nominated for the Entertainer of the Year award! He’s tied with Teyana Taylor for the most individual nominations this year, with a whopping six nods each. Hot on their heels is Warner Bros.' *Sinners*, which leads all nominees with a staggering 18 nominations. Michael B. Jordan, the star of *Sinners*, is also in the running for Entertainer of the Year, along with Cynthia Erivo and Doechii. It's a stacked category, that's for sure.

Here's a glimpse at some of the winners already announced:

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography: “Who Better Than You?” – Will Packer (Penguin Random House). Other nominees included Juanita Tolliver, Charles B. Fancher, Nnedi Okorafor, Patricia Smith, Allen R. Wells, Angie Thomas, and Octavia E. Butler.

Outstanding Short-Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction/Documentary: The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Starring Kendrick Lamar (Fox). A well deserved win in my opinion, that Halftime show was iconic.

We'll be updating this story as more winners are announced, so check back for the latest!