NAACP Hosts 50th NAACP Image Awards Nominees Luncheon

The NAACP hosted its 50th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS Nominees Luncheon today at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles celebrating the achievements of the 50th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS nominees.

Guests included Adele Lim (Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture - Crazy Rich Asians), Alex Thomas (Outstanding Children's Program - Motown Magic), Amberia Allen (Outstanding Writing In A Comedy Series - The Daily Show), Angela Rye (Outstanding News Information, Series or Special - Angela Rye's State of the Union), Avia Fields (Outstanding Children's Program - Motown Magic), Clay Newbill (Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition Or Game Show - Shark Tank), Courtney Robinson, Daisy Lightfoot (Outstanding Children's Program - Marvel's Avengers: Black Panther's Quest), Dave Roberts, Essence Atkins (Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Marlon), Gabrielle Dennis (Outstanding Actress In A Television Movie, Limited-Series Or Dramatic Special - The Bobby Brown Story), Isaiah Washington (Actor), James Mathis III (Outstanding Children's Program - Marvel's Avengers: Black Panther's Quest), Jesse James Holland (Outstanding Literary Work - Fiction - Black Panther: Who Is The Black Panther? Prose Novel), Katrina M O'Gilvie (Outstanding Writing In A Motion Picture Television - Behind the Movement), Ken Whittingham (Outstanding Directing In A Comedy Series - Atypical), Laya DeLeon Hayes (Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television Or Film) - Doc McStuffins), Logan Browning (Outstanding Actress In A Comedy Series - Dear White People), Loretta Devine (Outstanding Guest Performance In A Comedy Or Drama Series - Love Is), Lydia Nicole (Actress), Lynn Whitfield (Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Greenleaf) Lyric Ross (Outstanding Performance By A Youth - This Is Us), MAJOR. (Outstanding Male Artist), Marcus Scribner (Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - blackish), Marques Miles (Outstanding News/Information Series or Special - Unsung), Max Paul (Producer - NBC NIGHTLY NEWS with Lester Holt), Meta Golding (Outstanding Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special - Behind the Movement), Michael Batchelder, Millicent Shelton (Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series - Insecure), Niles Fitch (This Is Us), Omar Wilson (Outstanding New Artist), Patrick Joseph Charles (Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series - Black Lightning), Rhonda Morman (Outstanding Children's Program - Motown Magic), Roger Guenveur Smith (Actor), Salli Richardson-Whitfield (Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series - Marvel's Luke Cage), Shaun Redick (Outstanding Motion Picture - BlaKkKlansman), Tracey Bing (Outstanding Independent Motion Picture - Nappily Ever After), and Yun Lingner (Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show - Shark Tank).

Highlights from the event included:

Luncheon hosts Sheryl Lee Ralph and MAJOR. kicked off the event with remarks applauding the 110 years of the NAACP fighting for equality. "As artists, we know that Hollywood shapes what we see. That's why inclusion in the entertainment industry is so important," said MAJOR. Ralph added, "If we don't realize we are the people we have been waiting for, then what are we waiting for? Now is the time for us to care about everything concerning people of color."

NAACP President Derrick Johnson took to the stage to congratulate the nominees and praise them for telling the authentic stories of people of color, emphasizing the importance of representation across Hollywood, politics, and the CORPORATE landscape. "How people see us on the big screen is how they treat us in the streets," he said. "The Image Awards Nominees Luncheon is an occasion to celebrate the nominees of the prestigious Image Award. The best and brightest in film, television, music, literature and social justice. We are here today because each one of you has been integral to furthering equity, quality, and inclusion."

Singer Emi Secrest brought the house down with a special musical performance for the nominees and guests in attendance.

50th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS nominees in attendance participated in the annual class picture before being presented with certificates by President Johnson.

Winners of the 50th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS will be revealed during the two-hour LIVE TV special airing on TV One on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 9 p.m./8 p.m. CT from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, hosted by Anthony Anderson.

Voting is now open to the public for all general categories of the 50th NAACP Image Awards. Individuals do NOT need to be members of the NAACP in order to cast their votes and are welcome to participate at vote.naacpimageawards.net/ All votes must be submitted no later than March 13.