By Victoria Mejicanos
AFRO Staff Writer
vmejicanos@afro.com
The NAACP closed out Black History month with their 57th Image Awards weekend crowning winners in music, film, books and television.
The vampire-thriller “Sinners” dominated the weekend, where Micheal B. Jordan won for best actor in a motion picture and closed out the night winning the award for entertainer of the year.
In his acceptance speech for best actor in a motion picture, he dedicated his award to the late Chadwick Boseman. He also thanked the NAACP for their constant support and encouragement. While accepting his entertainer of the year award, he spread a message of community.
“Keep working hard, be a good person, lead with love and kindness. The world needs more humility, more grace, more empathy and it starts with us. We are an empathetic group of people. We love first, so just keep leading with love and we will get to where we need to get to”
Before the ceremony Saturday, Ryan Coogler won for writing and directing, while Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo won the supporting actress and actor awards, respectively.
Viola Davis delivered an empowering speech about personal and national growth through radical acceptance of truth as she received the Chairman’s Award for Excellence, Impact & Advocacy.
“There is no becoming without healing and without a radical acceptance of one’s truth,” Davis said. “There is no soul of a nation without the soul of its people.”
The NAACP Hall of Fame award was also presented to Hip Hop legends Salt & Peppa and DJ Spinderella. The all female rap group conquered the male dominated rap industry in the 1980s and are the best selling female rap group.
The night also included a tribute to the late Rev, Jesse Jackson and his decades of activism.
President of the NAACP Derrick Johnson praised the work of Jackson.
“Day in and day out, he worked tirelessly to open the eyes of those who could not see, to give hope to those who had lost hope, to change the culture of our land,” said Johnson. “He was a powerful voice. But he didn’t just talk the talk. He walked the walk. And now he walks with angels.”
Actor Samuel L. Jackson said the reverend changed his life.
“We will continue his mission and carry the torch he lit and keep hope alive,” said Jackson. “We will not be erased from this country’s history because we are somebody.”