The 53rd NAACP Image Awards, presented by the NAACP, honored outstanding representations and achievements of people of color in motion pictures, television, music, and literature during the 2021 calendar year. The ceremony aired on February 26, 2022, on BET and simulcast on several of its sister Paramount Global Networks. The ceremony was hosted for the ninth time by actor Anthony Anderson. Presentations of untelevised categories were livestreamed on January 18, 2022, on the ceremony's website.
The nominations were announced on January 18, 2022, with the film The Harder They Fall and the comedy series Insecure leading the nominations with twelve each. In the recording categories, H.E.R. received the most nominations with six, followed by Chlöe, Drake, Silk Sonic and Jazmine Sullivan with four each. For the first time in the history of the awards ceremony, it have been included five categories to reward podcasts and social media influencer.
American journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones was honored with the Social Justice Impact Award at the ceremony for her "social efforts in reporting for The New York Times Magazine about the police injustices and crimes against black people in the United States". American actor and producer Samuel L. Jackson was also honored with the Chairman's Award, for his "social activism in the 1960s, even serving as an usher at Martin Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral. His continued public service and advocacy for social change".
For the first time since 1993 ceremony, members of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, Texas House Democratic Caucus and Texas Legislative Black Caucus were recognized with the Roy Wilkins Civil Rights Award to "exemplify the spirit of the NAACP".
The ceremony honored the President of the Connecticut State Conference of NAACP Branches, Scot X. Esdaile, with the first ever Activist of the Year Award. NAACP Youth-Council founder Chinning Hill was recognized with the first ever Youth Activist of the Year Award.
All nominees are listed below, and the winners are listed in bold.
Special awards
President's Award Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex Meghan, Duchess of SussexChairman's Award Samuel L. JacksonVanguard Award Ruth E. CarterRoy Wilkins Civil Rights Award Mexican American Legislative Caucus Texas House Democratic Caucus Texas Legislative Black CaucusEntertainer of the Year Jennifer Hudson Lil Nas X Megan Thee Stallion Regina King Tiffany HaddishSocial Justice Impact Award Nikole Hannah-JonesYouth Activist of the Year Channing HillActivist of the Year Scot X. EsdaileNAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award Safiya Noble
Motion Picture Outstanding Motion PictureOutstanding Directing in a Motion Picture The Harder They Fall Judas and the Black Messiah King Richard Respect The United States vs. Billie Holiday Shaka King – Judas and the Black Messiah Denzel Washington – A Journal for Jordan Jeymes Samuel – The Harder They Fall Lin-Manuel Miranda – Tick, Tick... Boom! Reinaldo Marcus Green – King RichardOutstanding Actor in a Motion PictureOutstanding Actress in a Motion Picture Will Smith – King Richard Denzel Washington – The Tragedy of Macbeth Jonathan Majors – The Harder They Fall Lakeith Stanfield – Judas and the Black Messiah Mahershala Ali – Swan Song Jennifer Hudson – Respect Andra Day – The United States vs. Billie Holiday Halle Berry – Bruised Tessa Thompson – Passing Zendaya – Malcolm & MarieOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion PictureOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Daniel Kaluuya – Judas and the Black Messiah Algee Smith – Judas and the Black Messiah Delroy Lindo – The Harder They Fall Idris Elba – The Harder They Fall Lakeith Stanfield – The Harder They Fall Regina King – The Harder They Fall Aunjanue Ellis – King Richard Audra McDonald – Respect Danielle Deadwyler – The Harder They Fall Dominique Fishback – Judas and the Black MessiahOutstanding International Motion PictureOutstanding Independent Motion Picture 7 Prisoners African America Eyimofe (This is My Desire) Flee The Gravedigger's Wife CODA American Skin Bruised Test Pattern The Killing of Kenneth ChamberlainOutstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion PictureOutstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture Danny Boyd Jr. – Bruised Ariana DeBose – West Side Story Jalon Christian – A Journal for Jordan Lonnie Chavis – The Water Man Sheila Atim – Bruised The Harder They Fall Coming 2 America Judas and the Black Messiah King Richard RespectOutstanding Animated Motion PictureOutstanding Character Voice Performance – Motion Picture Encanto Luca Raya and the Last Dragon Sing 2 Vivo Letitia Wright – Sing 2 Andre Braugher – Spirit Untamed Awkwafina – Raya and the Last Dragon Brian Tyree Henry – Vivo Eric André – Sing 2Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)Outstanding Short Form (Animated) When The Sun Sets (Lakutshon’ Ilanga) Aurinko in Adagio Blackout The Ice Cream Stop These Final Hours Us Again Blush Robin Robin She Dreams at Sunrise Twenty SomethingOutstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture Jeymes Samuel – The Harder They Fall Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson – Summer of Soul Jamila Wignot – Ailey Liesl Tommy – Respect Rebecca Hall – Passing Shaka King, Will Berson, Kenny Lucas, Keith Lucas – Judas and the Black Messiah Janicza Bravo, Jeremy O. Harris – Zola Jeymes Samuel, Boaz Yakin – The Harder They Fall Virgil Williams – A Journal for Jordan Win Rosenfeld, Nia DaCosta, Jordan Peele – Candyman
Television and Streaming
Drama Outstanding Drama Series Queen Sugar 9-1-1 All American Godfather of Harlem Pose Outstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesOutstanding Actress in a Drama Series Sterling K. Brown – This Is Us Damson Idris – Snowfall Billy Porter – Pose Kofi Siriboe – Queen Sugar Forest Whitaker – Godfather of Harlem Angela Bassett – 9-1-1 Dawn-Lyen Gardner – Queen Sugar Octavia Spencer – Truth Be Told Queen Latifah – The Equalizer Rutina Wesley – Queen SugarOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Cliff "Method Man" Smith – Power Book II: Ghost Alex Hibbert – The Chi Daniel Ezra – All American Giancarlo Esposito – Godfather of Harlem Joe Morton – Our Kind of People Mary J. Blige – Power Book II: Ghost Alfre Woodard – SEE Bianca Lawson – Queen Sugar Chandra Wilson – Grey's Anatomy Susan Kelechi Watson – This is UsOutstanding Directing in a Drama SeriesOutstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series Barry Jenkins – The Underground Railroad: "Indiana Winter" Anthony Hemingway – Genius: Aretha: "Respect" Carl Seaton – Snowfall: – "Fight or Flight" Carl Seaton – Godfather of Harlem: – "The Bonanno Split" Hanelle Culpepper – True Story: "Like Cain Did Abel" Davita Scarlett – The Good Fight: "And the Firm Had Two Partners" Aurin Squire – Evil: "C Is for Cop" Malcolm Spellman – The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: "New World Order" Nkechi Okoro Carroll – All American: "Homecoming" Steven Canals, Janet Mock, Our Lady J, Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy – Pose: "Series Finale"
Comedy Outstanding Comedy Series Insecure Black-ish Harlem Run the World The UpshawsOutstanding Actor in a Comedy SeriesOutstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Anthony Anderson – black-ish Cedric the Entertainer – The Neighborhood Don Cheadle – Black Monday Elisha 'EJ' Williams – The Wonder Years Jay Ellis – Insecure Issa Rae – Insecure Loretta Devine – Family Reunion Regina Hall – Black Monday Tracee Ellis Ross – Black-ish Yvonne Orji – InsecureOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Deon Cole – Black-ish Andre Braugher – Brooklyn Nine-Nine Kenan Thompson – Saturday Night Live Kendrick Sampson – Insecure Laurence Fishburne – Black-ish Natasha Rothwell – Insecure Amanda Seales – Insecure Jenifer Lewis – Black-ish Marsai Martin – Black-ish Wanda Sykes – The UpshawsOutstanding Directing in a Comedy SeriesOutstanding Writing in a Comedy Series Bashir Salahuddin, Diallo Riddle – South Side: "Tornado" Melina Matsoukas – Insecure: "Reunited, Okay?!" Neema Barnette – Harlem: "Once Upon A Time in Harlem" Prentice Penny – Insecure: "Everything's Gonna Be, Okay?!" Tiffani Johnson – Black Monday: "Eight!" Issa Rae – Insecure: "Everything's Gonna Be, Okay?!" Ashley Nicole Black – Ted Lasso: "Do the Right-est Thing" Leann Bowen – Ted Lasso: "Lavender" Maya Erskine – PEN15: "Blue in Green" Temi Wilkey – Sex Education: "Episode #3.6"
Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Colin in Black & White Genius: Aretha Love Life Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia The Underground RailroadOutstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic SpecialOutstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Kevin Hart – True Story Anthony Mackie – Solos Jaden Michael – Colin in Black & White Wesley Snipes – True Story William Jackson Harper – Love Life Taraji P. Henson – Annie Live! Betty Gabriel – Clickbait Cynthia Erivo – Genius: Aretha Danielle Brooks – Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Jodie Turner-Smith – Anne BoleynOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic SpecialOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special Courtney B. Vance – Genius: Aretha Keith David – Black as Night Tituss Burgess – Annie Live! Will Catlett – True Story William Jackson Harper – The Underground Railroad Regina Hall – Nine Perfect Strangers Anika Noni Rose – Maid Natasha Rothwell – The White Lotus Pauletta Washington – Genius: Aretha Sheila Atim – The Underground RailroadOutstanding Directing in a Television Movie or SpecialOutstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special Kenny Leon – Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Jaffar Mahmood – Hot Mess Holiday Mario Van Peebles – Salt-N-Pepa Maritte Lee Go – Black As Night Verónica Rodríguez – Let's Get Merried Abdul Williams – Salt-N-Pepa Mario Miscione, Marcella Ochoa – Madres Monique N. Matthew – A Holiday in Harlem Sameer Gardezi – Hot Mess Holiday Sherman Payne – Black as Night
Overall Acting Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-series)Outstanding Guest Actor or Actress in a Television Series Miles Brown – Black-ish Alayah "That Girl Lay Lay" High – That Girl Lay Lay Celina Smith – Annie Live! Elisha 'EJ' Williams – The Wonder Years Eris Baker – This Is Us Maya Rudolph – Saturday Night Live Alani "La La" Anthony – The Chi Christina Elmore – Insecure Daniel Kaluuya – Saturday Night Live Erika Alexander – Run the World
Reality and Variety Outstanding Talk SeriesOutstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition Series or Game Show Red Table Talk Desus & Mero Hart to Heart Tamron Hall The Real Wild 'n Out Celebrity Family Feud Iyanla: Fix My Life Sweet Life: Los Angeles The VoiceOutstanding News / Information – (Series or Special)Outstanding Host in a Talk or News / Information (Series or Special) The ReidOut Blood on Black Wall Street: The Legacy of the Tulsa Massacre NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt Soul of a Nation Unsung Jada Pinkett Smith, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, Willow Smith – Red Table Talk Joy Reid – The Reidout Daniel "Desus Nice" Baker, Joel "The Kid Mero" Martinez – Desus & Mero Garcelle Beauvais, Adrienne Bailon, Loni Love, Jeannie Mai – The Real LeBron James – The Shop: UninterruptedOutstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)Outstanding Host in a Reality, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) The Daily Show with Trevor Noah A Black Lady Sketch Show BET Awards 2021 Dave Chappelle: The Closer Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3 Trevor Noah – The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Alfonso Ribeiro – America's Funniest Home Videos Amber Ruffin – The Amber Ruffin Show Cedric the Entertainer – 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards