BET and the NAACP Image Awards have announced presenters and performances for its 2022 ceremony, according to a press release. Nine-time Grammy Award winner Mary J. Blige is set to perform at the 53rd annual award show, while Zendaya and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson are among the presenters.
Joining the Emmy Award-winning actress and the newly Oscar-nominated director as presenters for the NAACP Image Awards’ live show are a slew of A-list celebrities, including actors Issa Rae, Kerry Washington, Morgan Freeman, Paula Patton, Simu Liu, Tiffany Haddish, LL Cool J, and Michael Strahan.
Seven-time Image Award winner Anthony Anderson hosts the event, airing on Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. on BET.
Leading the nominations this year are the HBO series Insecure and the Netflix film The Harder They Fall, each earning 12 nods. Singer/songwriter H.E.R. leads all musicians with six nominations.
In addition, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, and NAACP Board Chairman Leon W. Russell be on hand as presenters. Samuel L. Jackson will receive the NAACP Chairman’s Award. Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of the 1619 Project, Nikole Hannah-Jones, will receive the Social Justice Impact Award.
Members of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, Texas House Democratic Caucus, and Texas Legislative Black Caucus will be the recipients of the Roy Wilkins Civil Rights Award. Scot X. Esdaile, President of the Connecticut State Conference of NAACP Branches and a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors, will be presented with the Activist of the Year award.
Leading up to the Feb. 26 telecast, a five-night virtual show announcing non-televised awards including film, TV, writing, directing, music, and media categories will be available on the NAACP Image Awards’ YouTube channel, as well as its official website Feb. 21 – 25.
Comedian Affion Crockett will host the nightly virtual show. Presenters include Aida Rodriquez, Asiahn Bryant, Clint Coley, Cory Hardrict, Courtney Nichole, Demetrius Shipp Jr., Derrick Johnson, Karen Boykin-Towns, Khleo Thomas, Lauren Wesley Wilson, Leon W. Russell, Lori Harvey, Luke Lawal, Jr., Marcel Spears, Matt Cedeno, Melissa L. Williams, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and Wisdom Cole.
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