10 New African Categories for NAACP Image Awards 2027
The NAACP Image Awards are taking a bold step to celebrate the vast and growing influence of African artists, announcing the addition of ten brand-new categories dedicated solely to recognizing Black excellence across the continent.
This expansion fundamentally shifts the awards’ mission, aiming to build a vital cultural bridge between Africa and the global Black diaspora. By establishing these dedicated categories, the NAACP Image Awards solidify its role as a global standard-bearer for Black creative achievement, celebrating the continent’s dynamic influence across film, television, and music.
The newly introduced categories focus on recognizing outstanding achievements in various media formats, including motion pictures, television series, and music. These include recognition for Outstanding African album, Outstanding African new artist, Outstanding African song, Outstanding African motion picture, Outstanding actor or actress in an African motion picture, Outstanding directing in an African motion picture, Outstanding African television series, Outstanding actor or actress in an African television series, and Outstanding African television series.
The scope of recognition is extensive, spanning motion picture, television and streaming, recording, literature, and podcasts, with nominations now open across 108 categories. This comprehensive approach ensures that the groundbreaking work happening across the continent is brought into the spotlight.
Adding to the celebratory theme, the 58th NAACP Image Awards will also feature the return of four highly anticipated daytime drama categories: outstanding daytime drama series, outstanding actor in a daytime drama series, outstanding actress in a daytime drama series, and outstanding supporting actor in a daytime drama series.
Submissions for consideration in these new and existing categories are currently open on the NAACP Image Awards website. Works that occur between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026, are eligible for submission. Public voting for nominees will open on January 7, 2017, and close on February 1.
The ceremony for the 2026 awards, hosted by Deon Cole, is scheduled for February 28 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California. It’s a powerful moment that recognizes not just individual talent, but the continent’s immense, ongoing creative wave.
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