Ap photo gallery: See photos from the NAACP Image Awards, a celebration of Black excellence ap

Stars gathered in Pasadena for the final night of the 57th NAACP Image Awards, where Ryan Coogler’s Sinners led nominations and wins. This photo gallery was curated by photo editors and matters because the four‑night event wrapped with Sinners dominating the Saturday night ceremony.

Sinners dominated the fourth and final night and led with 18 nominations

Director Ryan Coogler’s Oscar‑nominated blockbuster Sinners came into the fourth and final night of the 2026 NAACP Image Awards as the leading film nominee, having earned 18 nominations across the four‑night event. The film won 13 NAACP Image Awards total, including Outstanding Motion Picture, Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for Michael B. Jordan and Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture for Miles Caton on Saturday night.

Sinners had already taken eight of its 13 awards during the NAACP Creative ceremonies held earlier in the week, including wins for Coogler for Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture. The film’s key actors won the Outstanding Ensemble in a Motion Picture award.

Michael B. Jordan named Entertainer of the Year and won best actor

Michael B. Jordan capped the night as Entertainer of the Year and also won best actor for his dual performance as twin brothers in Sinners. Jordan beat out nominees Cynthia Erivo, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar and Teyana Taylor for the top honor. During his acceptance speech he became emotional while acknowledging late actor Chadwick Boseman, saying, “My best friend, Chad … I miss you every day. ”

Jordan thanked his family and community and encouraged those watching from his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, to pursue their goals with humility and compassion. Last year’s entertainer of the year winner was Keke Palmer.

Viola Davis received the Chairman’s Award at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium

Viola Davis accepted the Chairman’s Award on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium near Los Angeles and delivered a speech about self‑worth, resilience and collective progress. Davis, 60, said that personal and national growth require confronting truth and hardship and that “There is no becoming without healing and without a radical acceptance of one’s truth, ” adding, “We either move forward together or not at all. ”

Davis reflected on her journey from childhood poverty in Rhode Island to international success, saying, “I just wanted to be somebody. I wanted success because I thought it was significance. ” She noted that “No one can describe the journey of going from the little chocolate girl searching for hope, to the girl living a transcendent life. ” The Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Grammy winner has performances in films including The Help, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Doubt and captivated television audiences in the legal drama How to Get Away With Murder. She achieved EGOT status after winning a Grammy for the audiobook version of her memoir, Finding Me, adding to two Tonys, an Emmy and an Academy Award for the film adaptation of Fences.

Salt‑N‑Pepa inducted into the Image Awards Hall of Fame

Hip‑hop trailblazers Salt‑N‑Pepa were inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame in recognition of their impact on music, culture and representation of women in rap. The Grammy‑winning group — Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandra “Pepa” Denton and DJ Spinderella — rose to prominence in the late 1980s and 1990s with hits including “Push It, ” “Shoop” and “Whatta Man. ”

Accepting the honor, the trio reflected on their legacy and influence across generations of artists. “We didn’t know we were building a movement, ” said Spinderella, the stage name of Deidra Muriel Roper. “We were just being ourselves. ”

Deon Cole opened with sharp jokes, a BAFTA nod, and a loud crowd reaction

Comedy star Deon Cole hosted the ceremony at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and opened with a monologue that blended sharp political humor and cultural commentary, including a censored jab referencing immigration enforcement and a nod to the recent disruption involving Jordan and Delroy Lindo at the British Academy Film Awards. Cole joked about removing anything associated with “ICE” from the guest list before moving into a comedic prayer segment; his monologue drew loud reactions from the crowd.

Also on display in this curated set of images: Viola Davis accepting the Chairman’s Award in Pasadena with a photo by Chris Pizzello, Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes, Megan Keller and Hilary Knight continuing a post‑Olympic victory lap at 30 Rock, and Arman Tsarukyan bringing a little too much MMA to a wrestling event on Saturday.

Saturday’s wider headlines and sports notes captured alongside the awards

Photographs and short items gathered for the same Saturday included wrestling and pro wrestling developments: after big wins by Randy Orton and Rhea Ripley and big reveals from Seth Rollins and Danhausen, there was plenty to digest from the WWE Elimination Chamber event in Chicago, a card some described by image captions as playing out like a show written with one sole goal in mind — and not in a good way.

Other weekend sports snapshots: the Red Raiders won their third straight game since losing star JT Toppin for the season; the Jets will leave the combine in a great place with five first‑round picks in 2026 and 2027; a stretch of brilliance from Darryn Peterson helped the Jayhawks cut a deficit to two points in the second half before the Wildcats staged another run; Brandon Miller scored 26 for Charlotte, which has won 16 of its past 20 games; and a short caption noted that no one ever said you needed a hit to win a softball game. A brief consumer note in the gallery asked, Does today's Wordle have you stumped? Here are some hints and the answer.

Additional winners and nominated films and performances

The event’s list of winners and nominees highlighted a range of films and performers: One of Them Days was listed with Sony Pictures Releasing; Sinners was listed with Warner Bros. Pictures and marked as a winner; André Holland was listed for Love, Brooklyn with Greenwich Entertainment; Denzel Washington was listed for Highest 2 Lowest with A24; Michael B. Jordan was listed for Sinners with Warner Bros. Pictures and marked as a winner; Nnamdi Asomugha was listed for The Knife with Relatively Media; Tyriq Withers was listed for HIM with Monkeypaw Productions; Cynthia Erivo was listed for Wicked: For Good with Universal Pictures and marked as a winner; Danielle Deadwyler was listed for 40 Acres with Magnolia Pictures; and Keke Palmer was listed for One of Them Days with Sony Pictures Releasing.