HALLE BERRY, LL COOL J, VANESSA WILLIAMS, KERRY WASHINGTON, KIMBERLY ELISE and AFFION CROCKETT AMONG CELEBRITIES SCHEDULED TO APPEAR at THE "42ND NAACP IMAGE AWARDS" AIRING LIVE FRIDAY, MARCH 4, ON FOX

Star-Studded Special to Feature Performances by MARY MARY AND MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD

Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry, Grammy Award-winning rapper and actor LL Cool J, Grammy-nominated singer and Emmy-nominated actress Vanessa Williams, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington and rising comedy star Affion Crockett are scheduled to appear at the 42ND NAACP IMAGE AWARDS, broadcast live from Los Angeles' historic Shrine Auditorium, Friday, March 4 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Celebrated recording artists Mary Mary and Michael Franti & Spearhead are set to perform at the special which will be hosted by Holly Robinson Peete and Wayne Brady and executive-produced by Vicangelo Bulluck. The special celebrates the accomplishments of people of color working in literature, music, television and film. Previously announced honorees include Chairman's Award recipient Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin and Chairman's Award recipient General Colin L. Powell.

Event sponsors for the 42nd NAACP Image Awards include UAW/Chrysler, Walgreens, Wells Fargo, FedEx, Hyundai, Southwest Airlines, Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Bank of America, Ford Motor Company, Pepsi and American Airlines.

Founded on Feb. 12, 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (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, and monitor equal opportunity in the public and private sectors. For more information on the NAACP IMAGE AWARDS, please visit www.naacpimageawards.net.