D.L. HUGHLEY TO HOST "39TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS" LIVE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, ON FOX

America Ferrera, Vanessa L. Williams, Jordin Sparks, Regina Taylor and Richard T. Jones to Make Special Appearances

NAACP Image Award Honorees include Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder

D.L. Hughley will host the 39TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS on Thursday, Feb. 14 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX, it was announced today by Vicangelo Bulluck, executive producer of the telecast. America Ferrera, Vanessa L. Williams, Jordin Sparks, Regina Taylor and Richard T. Jones will make special appearances, joining previously announced honorees Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. Additional performers and artists appearing on the special broadcast live from the historic Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, will be announced closer to the air date.

"I'm very excited that D.L. Hughley will host the 39th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS. He is an everyman's political satirist who brings humor and insight to the issues and concerns that face us as a nation," said Bulluck.

Hughley has earned his reputation as a true king of comedy. He currently stars in his fourth one-hour special for HBO entitled "Unapologetic." Taped before a live audience at the historic Lincoln Theater in Washington, D.C., the special features Hughley's take on humorous topics including: the immigration debate, airplane restrictions, freedom of speech, the price of gasoline, the NRA and more.

Hughley can also be seen as the newest host of HBO's "Def Comedy Jam." He also recently hosted VH1's "Critics Choice Awards," as well as Comedy Central's "Last Laff" and the BET series "S.O.B: Socially Offensive Behavior."

Hughley was the star and producer of "The Hughleys," and is also well known as one of the standout comedians of the hit docu-film "The Original Kings of Comedy." The best-selling comedy tour and film of the same name launched the careers of Hughley, as well as fellow comedians Steve Harvey, Bernie Mac and Cedric the Entertainer. In addition, D.L. has headlined several comedy specials including "D.L. Hughley: Going Home," "D.L. Hughley Live" and "Shocked and Appalled."

The 39TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS is executive-produced by Vicangelo Bulluck.

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its half-million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

For more information on the NAACP Image Awards, please visit www.naacpimageawards.net.