LEGENDARY ARTIST, ACTRESS, PRODUCER, AUTHOR, AND ENTREPRENEUR QUEEN LATIFAH TO HOST "54TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS" PREMIERING LIVE SATURDAY, FEB. 25 AT 8:00 PM ET/PT, ON BET

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CBS RETURNS AS A SIMULCAST PARTNER OF THE LIVE SHOW ALONG WITH BET HER, CMT, COMEDY CENTRAL, LOGO, MTV, MTV2, PARAMOUNT NETWORK, POP TV, SMITHSONIAN, TV LAND, AND VH1

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A-LIST LINE-UP OF PRESENTERS FOR "54TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS" INCLUDES BRIAN WHITE, CLIFF "METHOD MAN" SMITH, DAMSON IDRIS, TAYE DIGGS, HAROLD PERRINEAU, ISSA RAE, JANELLE MONÁE, JANELLE JAMES, JONATHAN MAJORS, KERRY WASHINGTON, LETITIA WRIGHT, MORRIS CHESTNUT, MS. PAT, SHERYL LEE RALPH, TERRENCE HOWARD, TRACEE ELLIS ROSS, ZENDAYA AND MORE

New York, NY - (February 21, 2023) - Today, BET and the NAACP announced that GRAMMY(R) award-winning musician, critically acclaimed Emmy and Golden Globe(R)-winning and Academy Award(R)-nominated actress and producer Queen Latifah will host the "54th NAACP Image Awards" airing LIVE on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET. The live show will also simulcast across Paramount Global networks including BET HER, CBS, CMT, Comedy Central, LOGO, MTV, MTV2, Paramount Network, POP TV, Smithsonian, TV Land and VH1.

"It's an honor to host the "54th NAACP Image Awards," especially in the year we are celebrating 50 years of hip hop," said Queen Latifah. "This is a night to celebrate Black excellence and Black contributions to our industry and beyond. Celebrating one another, lifting each other up and you know we'll have fun doing it!"

"Queen Latifah is one of our generation's most influential and iconic voices. We are excited to collaborate with the groundbreaking megastar as she hosts the NAACP Image Awards," said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. "As always, we look forward to partnering with the NAACP to celebrate Black creativity and ingenuity for an unforgettable night of Black excellence that will inspire, entertain and empower viewers worldwide."

"This year's NAACP Image Awards will be an amazing celebration, highlighting the major accomplishments of political leaders, entertainers, activists and other changemakers. It will also be a night that shows how our community can come together and impact each other and the world in a positive way," said Derrick Johnson, NAACP president and CEO.

The star-studded evening will also feature A-list presenters taking the stage, including Brian White, Cliff "Method Man" Smith, Damson Idris, Taye Diggs, Harold Perrineau, Issa Rae, Janelle Monáe, Janelle James, Jonathan Majors, Kerry Washington, Letitia Wright, Morris Chestnut, Ms. Pat, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, NAACP Chairman Leon W. Russell, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Terrence Howard, Tracee Ellis Ross and Zendaya.

The Activist of the Year Award will be presented to Dr. Derrick Lee Foward, president of the Dayton Unit of the NAACP and a vice president of the Ohio NAACP. Dr. Foward has been a strong advocate for civil and human rights for nearly two decades through his work with the NAACP. The Youth Activist of the Year Award will be presented to Bloomington-Normal NAACP Youth Council president Bradley Ross Jackson. Jackson helped organize a peaceful protest of 1,000 people to demand justice for the murder of George Floyd, one of the largest demonstrations held in Bloomington, Ind.

Previously announced "54th NAACP Image Awards" honorees include U.S. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.) who will be honored with the prestigious Chairman's Award, civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who will receive the Social Justice Impact Award, and Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade, who will receive the President's Award.

The NAACP will also recognize winners in non-televised Image Awards categories virtually from Feb. 20-23 on www.naacpimageawards.net, and at an awards dinner and program on Feb. 24. The awards dinner will be hosted by actress Bresha Webb. Awards dinner presenters include Coco Jones, Dominique Thorne, Tichina Arnold, Amber Riley, Paula Newsome, April Ryan, Skai Jackson, Alaya "That Girl Lay Lay" High, Angie Martinez, Niecy Nash-Betts, Tobe Nwigwe, Tye Tribbett, Armani White, Wendell Pierce, "Harlem" cast members Meagan Good, Tyler Lepley, Jerrie Johnson and Shoniqua Shandai, writer/director Tracy Oliver ("Harlem", "First Wives Club") and more.

The "54th NAACP Image Awards" is presented by Wells Fargo and sponsored by Bank of America, Gushers, Google, Airbnb, Amazon, FedEx, Lowe's, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Audible, Bacardi and Mielle.

Monday, February 20

Awards Night One (Virtual)

Outstanding International Song

Outstanding Jazz Album - Instrumental

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)

Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album

Outstanding Male Artist

Outstanding Female Artist

Outstanding Soul/R&B Song

Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song

Outstanding Album

Tuesday, February 21

Awards Night Two (Virtual)

Outstanding Literary Work - Fiction

Outstanding Literary Work - Non-Fiction

Outstanding Literary Work - Debut Author

Outstanding Literary Work - Biography/ Autobiography

Outstanding Literary Work - Instructional

Outstanding Literary Work - Poetry

Outstanding Literary Work - Children

Outstanding Literary Work - Youth/Teens

Outstanding Variety or Game Show (Series or Special)

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) - Individual or Ensemble

Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) - Individual or Ensemble

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)

Outstanding Talk Series

Wednesday, February 22

Awards Night Three (Virtual)

Outstanding Short-Form Series - Comedy or Drama

Outstanding Short-Form Series or Special - Reality/Nonfiction

Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action)

Outstanding Short-Form (Animated)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance - Motion Picture

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series)

Outstanding Children's Program

Outstanding Animated Series

Outstanding Guest Performance

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture

Thursday, February 23

Reception & Fashion Show (In-person)

Outstanding Hairstyling (Television or Film)

Outstanding Make-up (Television or Film)

Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Film)

Awards Night Four (Virtual)

Outstanding Podcast - News and Information

Outstanding Podcast - Society and Culture

Outstanding Podcast - Lifestyle / Self-Help

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special

Outstanding Directing in a Documentary

Friday, February 24

Awards Night Five (In-person dinner)

Activist of the Year

Youth Activist of the Year

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture

Outstanding Documentary (Film)

Outstanding Documentary (Television)

Outstanding Drama Series

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

Outstanding International Motion Picture

Outstanding Jazz Album - Vocal

Outstanding New Artist

Outstanding Podcast - Arts and Entertainment

Outstanding Social Media Personality

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture

NOTE: Schedule and category announcements subject to change. If a category is not listed above, it has not been determined which day it will be presented.

Globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural award shows, the "54th NAACP Image Awards" will continue a tradition of excellence, uplifting values that inspire equality, justice, and progressive change, and highlighting artists committed to these values.

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 Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Hudson, Rihanna, Wizkid, Lizzo, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry & Meghan Markle, Jamie Foxx, Chloe x Halle, Regé-Jean Page, Daniel Kaluuya, Michaela Coel, Cliff "Method Man" Smith, Blair Underwood, Will Smith, Taraji P. Henson, Marsai Martin, Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Kerry Washington, Anthony Anderson, Sterling K. Brown, Loni Love, Sheryl Underwood, Halle Berry, Common, Dwayne Johnson, Audra Day, John Legend, Lena Waithe, Tracee Ellis Ross, David Oyelowo, Laverne Cox, Octavia Spencer, Issa Rae, Trevor Noah, Yara Shahidi, Danai Gurira, Jacob Latimore, Jill Scott, H.E.R., Jay Pharoah, Jemele Hill, Loretta Devine, Sylvester Stallone, Meta Golding, Michael Smith, Tyler James Williams, Ava DuVernay, the late Chadwick Boseman and many more.

Winners of the "54th NAACP Image Awards" will be revealed via telecast on February 25, 2023, on BET. NAACP will also recognize winners in non-televised Image Awards categories virtually February 20-23 via naacpimageawards.net and at an Awards Dinner and Program on February 24.

For more on the "54th NAACP Image Awards" please visit BET.com.

Instagram: @naacpimageawards |Twitter: @naacpimageaward | Facebook: /naacpimageaward

About Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah is a GRAMMY(R) award-winning musician, critically acclaimed television and Oscar(R)-nominated film actress, producer, record label president, author, and entrepreneur. Queen Latifah has had amazing success since her career began in Hollywood, becoming the first hip-hop artist to be crowned with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006. She received rave reviews, an Academy Award(R) nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe(R)nomination, and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards(R) nomination for her portrayal of Mama Morton in the feature musical "Chicago." She also received an Emmy(R) Award nomination, a Golden Globe(R) win, and a SAG Award(R) win for her role in the cable film "Life Support."

Making her big screen debut in Spike Lee's 1991 film, "Jungle Fever," Queen Latifah then starred in "Set it Off" and co-starred with Holly Hunter and Danny DeVito in the critically acclaimed "Living Out Loud." From 1993-1998, Latifah starred in the network comedy "Living Single." Following "Chicago," she starred in and executive-produced the box office hit "Bringing Down the House." Her additional film credits include "The Secret Life of Bees," alongside Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning; Neil Meron and Craig Zadan's "Hairspray"; "Mad Money," opposite Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes; "Just Wright"; "Joyful Noise"; "The Last Holiday"; and "Beauty Shop." She also starred in and executive-produced the cable movie "Life Support" and the cable movie adaptation of "Steel Magnolias." From 2013-2014, she was the host of "The Queen Latifah Show," which she produced with partner Shakim Compere and Overbrook Entertainment's Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, and James Lassiter.

In May 2015, Queen Latifah made her way back to the small screen, earning an Emmy(R) Award nomination, Golden Globe(R) nomination and a SAG Award(R) for

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for her role in the cable film "Bessie," which she also produced.

In 2017, Queen Latifah co-starred in the hit comedy "Girls Trip" with Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish. She also starred in the 2016 faith-based movie "Miracles from Heaven," opposite Jennifer Garner, and returned as the voice of wooly mammoth "Ellie" in "Ice Age: Collision Course." Additionally, she took to the stage and small screen performing as the title character in the television musical "The Wiz Live!," co-starring Uzo Aduba, Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, Common and David Alan Grier. She can also be seen in the FOX hit series "STAR", which had its series finale in May 2019.

Recognition for Queen Latifah's recording artistry includes six GRAMMY(R) Award nominations, as well as a win for Best Solo Rap Performance in 1994. In 2004, she was nominated for Best Female Rap Solo Performance for "Go Head." In 2005, she was nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album for "The Dana Owens Album," and in 2008, she was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for "Trav'lin Light."

Flavor Unit Entertainment, the production company owned and operated by Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere, released hit feature comedies "Bringing Down the House," "Beauty Shop" and "The Perfect Holiday." Flavor Unit also produced the films "The Cookout" and "Just Wright," as well as cable films "Bessie" and "Life Support." Together, Queen Latifah and Compere produced "The Real MVP: The Wanda Pratt Story," "The Best Place to Be," "Curvy Style with Timothy Snell," "The Perfect Match" and "The Rap Game."

In November of 2019, Queen Latifah starred as Ursula in ABC's live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid." In April 2020, she starred in the Quibi drama "When the Street Lights Go On" and executive produced Lifetime's top-rated original movie "The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel."

Queen Latifah currently stars in and executive produces the CBS series THE EQUALIZER. Currently in its third season, and renewed for a fourth, the show is averaging 10.4 million viewers in live +35 day viewing across linear and streaming platforms.

From Newark, N.J., Queen Latifah currently resides in Los Angeles.

About BET

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, follow us on social @BET_PR.

About NAACP

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2 million activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund - also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation's first civil and human rights law organization and shares our commitment to equal rights.