Los Angeles – On Saturday night, former Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage at the 56th annual NAACP Image Awards with a powerful message for the Black community. She called the civil rights organization a pillar of strength and urged people to stay resilient and hold onto their faith during the presidency of Donald Trump.
Harris, who was defeated by Trump in last year’s presidential election, was the first woman and person of color to serve as vice president. She has previously served as a U.S. senator from California and the state’s attorney general.
Speaking at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in the Los Angeles area, Harris did not mention her election loss or Trump’s actions since taking office. Instead, she focused on the American people and their power to shape the future of the nation.
“The American story will be written by you. Written by us. By we the people,” Harris said after receiving the NAACP’s Chairman’s Award. “We have no illusions about what we are up against, but our power does not come from the oval office or the wealthiest among us. It comes from our collective voice and actions.”
Harris spoke about the importance of eternal vigilance, the price of liberty, staying alert, seeking the truth, and the future of America. She acknowledged the challenges facing the country, but expressed confidence in the ability of the people to overcome them.
“Some see the flames on our horizons, the rising waters in our cities, the shadows gathering over our democracy and ask ‘What do we do now?'” Harris said. “But we know exactly what to do, because we have done it before. And we will do it again. We use our power. We organize, mobilize. We educate. We advocate. Our power has never come from having an easy path.”
Harris’s inspiring words were met with a standing ovation from the audience, showing their support and appreciation for her message.
The NAACP Image Awards also honored the Wayans family, inducting them into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame for their pioneering contributions to film, TV, sketch, and stand-up comedy. The family, consisting of Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans Sr., Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Kim Wayans, and Damon Wayans Jr., has made a significant impact on Hollywood for decades.
Marlon Wayans, who was nominated for an NAACP award for his guest appearance on Peacock’s “Bel-Air,” shared how his brother Keenen Ivory Wayans was the driving force behind their success. “He raised us all like Jedis,” Marlon said. “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for our big brother.”
The Wayans family has an impressive list of credits, including creating the sketch comedy series “In Living Color” and directing the hit movie “Scary Movie.” They have also starred in numerous successful films and TV shows, showcasing their talent and comedic genius.
Keke Palmer was another highlight of the night, winning the coveted Entertainer of the Year award. Expressing her shock and gratitude, Palmer paid tribute to her fellow nominee Cynthia Erivo’s Oscar-nominated performance in “Wicked.”
“I didn’t think I was going to win,” Palmer said. “It’s such an amazing category to be in with all these people. It’s a beautiful night. It’s Black History Month, y’all. It’s so important we all come here together and celebrate one another with one another.”
The evening also acknowledged the impact of the devastating wildfires in the nearby Altadena neighborhood. Actor Morris Chestnut honored the residents who were affected and paid tribute to the resilience of the community. “Homes were lost, stores destroyed, countless lives shattered and over two dozen souls gone forever,” Chestnut said. “But what was not lost is the spirit of our community.”
Comedian and host Deon Cole lightened the mood with a comedic prayer for Kanye West’s wife to find more clothes after her barely-there Grammys look and for Shannon Sharpe to finally size up his T-shirts. The evening also included a heartfelt tribute to Dave Chappelle, who received the President’s Award for his thought-provoking humor.
Accepting the award, Chappelle spoke about the importance of representation and the NAACP’s efforts to combat negative portrayals of Black people in media. “Every opportunity we get, we just keep chipping away at this monster of a machine,” he
