In 1967, a NAACP committee of entertainment professionals conceptualized an awards show that would celebrate the achievements of African-American artists and professionals, who were largely overlooked by mainstream Hollywood. The show would also honor people who work to change African-American images in Hollywood. They called it The Image Awards, and their first honoree was Sidney Poitier.
Now grown to 76 categories, including awards for social media personalities, podcasts, literary works and social justice impact, the Image Awards start with a weeklong list of events, live and virtual, and culminate in the televised awards show on BET at 8 p.m. Feb. 26.
This year, nominees for Outstanding Instrumental Jazz Album include harpist Brandee Younger's Somewhere Different, saxophonist Kenny Garrett's Sounds from the Ancestors, and pianist Orrin Evans' The Magic of Now.
Outstanding Vocal Jazz Album nominees include Jazzmeia Horn's Dear Love, The Baylor Project's Be A Light, and Freda Payne's Let There Be Love.
Nominations for Outstanding Motion Picture include "Respect," the Aretha Franklin biopic, and "The United States vs. Billie Holiday." Actresses Jennifer Hudson and Andra Day are both nominated for Outstanding Actress awards for those films, and Hudson is nominated for Entertainer of the Year.
"Respect" is also nominated for Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture. "The United States vs. Billie Holiday" is nominated for Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album.
Questlove's "Summer of Soul" documentary is nominated for Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture).
Not all Image Award categories are open for public voting, but you can see them here.
Congratulations to all of this year's Image Award nominees!
