‘Live the dream. We’re the dream’
DuVernay, Power win at NAACP Image Awards
LOS ANGELES — A jubilant Ava DuVernay was named entertainer of the year at an NAACP Image Awards ceremony that focused on the black community’s power to create change.
DuVernay lauded other black artists from the stage as she accepted her award Monday night, naming such writers and directors as Shonda Rhimes, Kenya Barris and Black Panther’s Ryan Coogler.
“This is our time,” DuVernay said. “We can say we were here when all this gorgeous art was happening, and that we supported it — that we lifted each other up, that we did as Dr. King said we would do: Live the dream. We’re the dream.”
Anthony Anderson hosted the ceremony on what would have been Martin Luther King Jr.’s 89th birthday. While his politically tinged monologue poked fun at the presidential administration and Omarosa Manigault, others used their time onstage to encourage more civic involvement and the fight for social justice.
Producer Will Packer took a dig at U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments about immigration as the producer accepted an award for Girls Trip, which won for outstanding film.
“Sisters, especially the ones from Haiti and Africa, we love you as your brothers,” he said.
Kerry Washington, Tracee Ellis Ross, Laverne Cox, Jurnee Smollet-Bell, Lena Waithe and Angela Robinson set the tone for the evening when they emerged onstage holding hands to dramatically issue a get-out-the-vote call.
They declared support for the #TimesUp initiative to stop sexual harassment and gender discrimination and urged viewers to speak up at the polls as well.
“It’s an extraordinary thing to be able to show what a beautiful black family looks like on television,” Ross said as the cast accepted the comedy series honour.
Power was named best drama series, and star Omari Hardwick won for dramatic actor.
Other winners included Gifted actress Octavia Spencer and Empire star Taraji P. Henson, who were both absent, and Daniel Kaluuya, who won for his leading role in Get Out.