If you know, you know: the red carpet is not a warm-up. It’s the main event before the main event.

On February 28 at 8/7c, BET is bringing you front-row access to the NAACP Image Awards red carpet live — streaming on BET.com, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. That means wherever you are, however you scroll, you’re covered.

And let’s be honest — the carpet at the NAACP Image Awards always delivers. This is where Black Hollywood shows up polished, powerful, and intentional. It’s couture and custom tailoring. It’s stylists earning their invoices. It’s viral moments before Twitter (sorry, X) decides what we’re arguing about that night.

But it’s also bigger than fashion.

The NAACP Image Awards red carpet is where culture checks in with itself. Actors talk legacy. Musicians talk ownership. Athletes talk impact. Filmmakers talk representation. And sometimes? You get that unscripted, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment that reminds you why live TV still matters.

Expect:

• Bold looks that will dominate timelines by 8:15.
• Real conversations about what this moment means for Black creatives.
• Surprise pairings and unexpected reunions.
• Behind-the-scenes access you won’t get from a still photo.

If you care about who’s shaping the culture — not just entertaining it — this is where you start your night.

The NAACP Image Awards have always celebrated the full spectrum of Black achievement: film, television, music, literature, activism, and more. The red carpet sets the tone. It’s where nominees pause before history gets made. It’s where honorees reflect on the work. It’s where we see the next generation step confidently into rooms they were once shut out of.

And here’s the best part: you don’t need a cable login. You don’t need a plus-one. You don’t need to be in the building. Just pull up.

When: February 28
Time: 8/7c
Where: BET.com, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok

Set a reminder. Text the group chat. Open the apps early. Because once the carpet starts, the internet moves fast — and you’ll want to be in on the moment as it happens.

The celebration begins before the awards are handed out. Be there when it does.