DuVernay, ‘Black-ish’ win at Image Awards
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 writers and directors such as Shonda Rhimes, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Kenya Barris and 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 at the Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif., on what would have been Martin Luther King Jr.’s 89th birthday. While Anderson’s 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.
Kerry Washington, Tracee Ellis Ross, Laverne Cox, Jurnee Smollet-Bell, Lena Waithe and Angela Robinson set the tone when they emerged onstage holding hands to dramatically issue a get-out-the-vote call.
Barris’ show “Black-ish” was the night’s big winner. The ABC hit was named best comedy series and took acting honors for stars Ross and Anderson. “Power” was named best drama series, and star Omari Hardwick won for dramatic actor. Other winners included “Gifted” actress Octavia Spencer, “Empire” star Taraji P. Henson and “Get Out” lead Daniel Kaluuya.