Terrence J, Naturi Naughton and Novi Brown Tapped as This Year’s Pre-Show Hosts Kicking Off the Night Live at 7:00 PM, ET on BET, BET Her and VH1 and 4:00 PM, PT on BET.com

Amanda Gorman and New Edition Will Be Honored for Their Continuous Contributions to Black Culture

BET Media Group to Offer Audio Description Capabilities at “55^th NAACP Image Awards” for the Visually Impaired

Hosted by Queen Latifah, “55^TH NAACP Image Awards” Will Premiere Live on Saturday, March 16 at 8:00 PM, ET/PT Across 14 Paramount Networks

CBS Returns as Esteemed Broadcast Simulcast Partner

LOS ANGELES (March 14, 2024) – Today, the NAACP and BET reveal their cavalcade of 55^TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS A-list presenters, including Delroy Lindo, Deon Cole, Diarra Kilpatrick, Donnie Wahlberg, Erika Alexander, Idris Elba, Jeffrey Wright, Keke Palmer, Kenya Barris, Kerry Washington, Leslie Jones, Lil Rel Howery, Morris Chestnut, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Sabrina Elba, Sterling K. Brown and Taraji P. Henson. Multi-platinum vocalist, GRAMMY® winner and Academy Award nominee Andra Day will perform. GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist, critically acclaimed Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winning and Academy Award-nominated actor and producer Queen Latifah (series star/executive producer of THE EQUALIZER, CBS) will return to host the prestigious 55^TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS airing LIVE on Saturday, March 16, (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on BET, the CBS Television Network, BET Her, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Paramount Network, Pop, Smithsonian Channel™, TV Land and streaming live on the CBS network feed available on Paramount+.*

The night kicks off LIVE at 7:00 PM, ET on BET, BET Her and VH1, with the 55^TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS Red Carpet Live! hosted by Terrence J, Naturi Naughton and Novi Brown.

For the first time in BET history, BET and the NAACP will broaden access to this year’s 55^TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS by providing audio descriptions for the live telecast. This addition ensures that blind and visually impaired viewers will be able to take in all the action occurring on the screen and provides a much richer experience of the event. Industry leaders VITAC and Audio Eyes will provide the audio description on the Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) channel.

Previously announced 55^TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS honorees include poet laureate Amanda Gorman, who will be honored with the prestigious Chairman’s Award, and R&B supergroup New Edition, who will receive the Hall of Fame Award.

The 55^TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS is proudly presented by this year’s incredible partners and sponsors, including Wells Fargo, Google, Bank of America, Gushers, FedEx, Airbnb, Amazon, Diageo, Denny’s, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines.

BET Media Group will premiere a special edition of popular digital series “For the Fellas” to celebrate the 55^TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS and Women’s History Month. D.C. Young Fly, Malcolm Mays, and Lenny S. will discuss their love for Black women, experiences in Hollywood and how to cope with depression. #ForTheFellas provides a safe space for men to engage in honest dialogue and share their experiences with our viewers. “For The Fellas” premieres Friday, March 15 on BET’s Official Facebook and YouTube channels.

BET Jams and BET Soul join the celebration with 55^TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS themed music video blocks and additional music content; check local listings.

Globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural award shows, the 55^TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS will continue its tradition of excellence, uplifting values that inspire equality, justice and progressive change, and highlighting artists committed to these values.

The NAACP will also recognize winners in non-televised Image Awards categories from March 11-13 on www.naacpimageawards.net, during the awards dinner on March 14 and fashion show on March 15. For information and updates, please follow NAACP Image Awards on Instagram @NAACPImageAwards.

One of the most iconic annual celebrations of Black excellence, the NAACP Image Awards draws the biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood. Previous years’ attendees and winners include Angela Bassett, Zendaya, Will Smith, Viola Davis, Beyoncé, Nicco Annan, Ruth E. Carter, Glynn Turman, Quinta Brunson, Nia Long, Keith David, Jennifer Hudson, Stacey Abrams, Tabitha Brown, Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union, Tems, Erica Campbell, Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak, Silk Sonic, Rihanna, Quavo, Takeoff, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Zendaya, Yara Shahidi, Issa Rae, Janelle Monáe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Serena Williams, Kerry Washington, Method Man, Dominique Thorne, Austin Scott, Tyler James Williams, Kyla Pratt, Jabari Banks and many more.

Instagram: @naacpimageawards @BET |X: @naacpimageaward @BET

Facebook: /naacpimageaward /BET | Tik Tok: @BET

#NAACPImageAwards

*55^TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS will not be available with live AD on Paramount+.

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race–based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP–LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.

About BET Media Group

The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA; PARAP), is the world’s largest media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture. Connecting Black audiences through a portfolio of brands including BET, BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, the BET Media Group is a thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international.

For more information about BET, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For more BET news announcements, visit betpressroom.com.

*55^TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS will not be available with live AD on Paramount+.

CBS Press Contacts:

Kate Fisher | khfisher@cbs.com

Victoria Saavedra | victoria.saavedra@paramount.com

NAACP Image Awards Media Contacts:

Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis | NAACPImageAwards@ssmandl.com

Luis Defrank | luis.defrank@bet.net

Ariana Drummond | ImagePublicist@naacpnet.org