While accepting the award for “Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series” for her performance in HBO’s Insecure, the producer and director shouted out fellow castmates Jay Ellis and Yvonne Orji. They portray Lawrence and Molly, respectively, on the NAACP Image Award-winning series. Issa and Larry Wilmore created comedy in 2106.  It was inspired by the actress 2010’s web series Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl.

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Award-winning actor Samuel L. Jackson received NAACP’s prestigious “Chairman’s Award”, which spotlights individuals who’ve demonstrated impactful acts of public service while using their platform to encourage change. During his acceptance speech, the renowned actor quoted children’s rights activist Marian Wright Edelman, stating, “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time.”

Elsewhere he added, “Right now, we still have things we need to do. The most important thing being the Voting Rights Act. I know we can’t change that, but we can put our legs, our bodies, and voices to work to make sure that people do get out and vote no matter what they do to keep us from doing that.”

Hudson took home two huge awards that night, including “Oustanding Actress in a Motion Picture” and “Entertainer of the Year”. The Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter beat out some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Regina King, Lil Nas X, Tiffany Haddish, and Megan Thee Stallion.  The prestigious honor was introduced in a recorded message by actor Morgan Freeman.

The multi-talented star thanked the NAACP and those who inspired her, saying, “Now, I’m standing here holding an award like this. It’s because of seeing the Arethas, the Patti LaBelles, the Halle Berrys, all these legends right here on this stand that inspired me.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were presented with this “President’s Award” for their outstanding work in public service. During their acceptance speech, the Duchess called for voting rights. “It’s inspiring to think about the legacies surrounding the Image Awards, which began shortly after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. And today, we can continue that legacy by reestablishing voting protections in our country and fulfilling the work of civil rights giants like the late John Lewis,” she said.

She also noted how she “couldn’t be prouder that we’re doing this work together.” Harry thanked the Black community for welcoming him and saying, “I think it’s safe to say that I come from a very different background than my incredible wife, yet our lives have been brought together for a reason.”

Writer, scholar, activist, and author of the critically acclaimed The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, Nikole Hannah Jones was honored with the award for Social Justice Award, presented by award-winning actress Kerry Washington.

During her acceptance speech, the honoree expressed that “As a student of history, I know that the work that I do and the life I live would not be possible without the decades-long efforts of the NAACP to force this country to live up to its highest ideals.”