54th NAACP Image Awards: Angela Bassett, Will Smith & More Win Top Honors

The NAACP and BET honored Black excellence in music, television, film, and more at the “54th NAACP Image Awards” Saturday night.

Hosted by Queen Latifah, the show aired live at on BET from the Pasadena Civic Center Auditorium in Pasadena.

Some 70 awards were handed out between the live show and non-televised awards ceremony held Friday night at L.A. Live. Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade, Serena Williams, Benjamin Crump and Angela Bassett also received special awards and delivered moving speeches. Here’s a look at who took him top honors.

ANGELA BASSETT NAMED ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Angela Bassett attends the 54th NAACP Image Awards (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for BET)

The TV and film icon received a standing ovation as she accepted her award for Entertainer of the year. While she was onstage to collect the trophy, she referenced a line from Ariana DeBose’s viral rap from the 2023 BAFTA Awards in her acceptance speech. “I guess Angela Bassett did the thing,” she joked.

Bassett also received the award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her work on 9-1-1.

WILL SMITH WINS OUTSTANDING ACTOR

(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Will Smith won Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in Emancipation. Smith was not in attendance, so Janelle Monae accepted on his behalf.

GABRIELLE UNION- WADE & DWYANE WADE HONORED WITH PRESIDENT’S AWARD

(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade dedicated their award to their daughter Zaya after being honored by NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson.

SERENA WILLIAMS RECIEVES JACKIE ROBINSON AWARD

(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams was honored with the prestigious Jackie Robinson Sports Award by actress Kerry Washington.

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY WINS OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES

(L-R) Chris Perfetti, Tyler James Williams, Quinta Brunson, Janelle James, Sheryl Lee Ralph, William Stanford Davis, and Lisa Ann Walter. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Abbott Elementary cast took home the award for Outstanding Comedy Series. The Best Man: The Final Chapters cast (Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau, Terrence Howard) presented them with the honor.

(L-R) Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau, Taye Diggs, and Terrence Howard (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

The Best Man: The Final Chapters also took home the award for Outstanding Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special.

 VIOLA DAVIS WIN OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN MOTION PICTURE

(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Viola Davis took the stage to accept her award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, presented by Issa Rae and Jonathan Majors. “The Woman King” Director Gina Prince – Bythewood was also honored for her work.

BRITTNEY GRINER MAKES SPECIAL APPEARANCE WITH WIFE CHERELLE

(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Brittney Griner and her wife Cherelle made an appearance at the NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, following the WNBA star’s December release from a Russian prison. The couple walked out on stage to a standing ovation.

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER 

(L-R) Ryan Coogler, Tenoch Huerta, and Dominique Thorne  (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever cast graced the stage to accept their award for Outstanding Motion Picture, presented by Zendaya.

Click HERE for a complete list of winners.