NAACP Image Awards: Cree Summer’s Best Voice Animation Moments
Few performers have shaped the soundtrack of generations quite like Cree Summer. With a career spanning decades, she’s become one of the most recognizable and influential voice actors in animation, breathing life into characters across iconic series and beloved childhood classics.
This year, Summer earned a well-deserved NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Animated Series for "Lil Kev," where she showcases her formidable range by voicing multiple characters including Gerald, Shaquilla, and D-Train. It’s a testament to her versatility and enduring relevance in a medium she’s helped elevate for years.
What makes her craft so remarkable is her ability to infuse each role with distinctive personality, depth, and emotional nuance, whether it’s the fearless best friend, the sharp-tongued antagonist, or the steadfast voice of reason.
Her contributions have defined the childhoods of countless fans while inspiring new generations to see the power of animated storytelling.
Susie Carmichael — "Rugrats"
As Susie Carmichael, Cree Summer delivered one of the most important voices in ‘90s animation.
Susie wasn’t just confident, but she was compassionate, musically gifted, and unapologetically self-assured, often serving as the moral compass among her friends.
Summer infused the character with warmth and vibrancy, making Susie both aspirational and relatable.
For many viewers, she was one of the earliest examples of positive Black girl representation in mainstream animation.
Multiple Voices — "Lil Kev"
In "Lil Kev," Summer showcases her signature versatility by voicing multiple characters, including Gerald, Shaquilla, and D-Train.
Each performance feels distinct, proving her unmatched ability to shift tone, cadence, and personality seamlessly.
Whether leaning into humor or grounding a scene with emotional weight, she anchors the series with dynamic range.
Numbuh 5 & Cree Lincoln — "Codename: Kids Next Door"
Voicing both Numbuh 5 and Cree Lincoln(and a few other characters), Summer created two characters with entirely different energies within the same universe.
Numbuh 5 was cool, composed, and sharp-witted, which was the steady force within the team.
Cree Lincoln, on the other hand, brought edge and rebellion, adding complexity to the show’s sibling dynamic. Summer’s ability to differentiate the two so distinctly highlighted her technical precision and storytelling instincts.
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Valerie Gray — "Danny Phantom"
As Valerie Gray, Summer portrayed a character whose evolution became one of the series’ most compelling arcs.
Starting as a determined ghost hunter with a chip on her shoulder, Valerie gradually revealed layers of vulnerability and growth.
Summer’s delivery balanced strength with emotional nuance, making Valerie’s transformation feel authentic.
Miranda Killgallen — "As Told by Ginger"
Miranda Killgallen could have easily been a one-note antagonist, but Summer brought dimension and comedic sharpness to the role.
Her voice carried just the right amount of sass and social superiority, elevating every interaction. Beneath the attitude, there was subtle humor that made Miranda entertaining rather than flat.
It’s a performance that proves Summer can make even the “mean girl” archetype memorable.
