MARY J. BLIGE SET TO PERFORM DURING THE LIVE TELECAST OF THE “53RD NAACP IMAGE AWARDS” ON BET

ISSA RAE, KERRY WASHINGTON, LL COOL J, MORGAN FREEMAN, QUESTLOVE, TIFFANY HADDISH, ZENDAYA, AND MORE TO PRESENT TELEVISED AWARDS PRESENTERS FOR NON-TELEVISED AWARDS WERE ALSO ANNOUNCED BEVERLY HILLS, CA (February 17, 2022) – Today, the NAACP and BET revealed the performers and presenters for the “53rd NAACP Image Awards.” Nine-time Grammy Award-winning singer and two-time Academy Award-nominated actress and producer Mary J. Blige will take the stage to perform at this year’s show. The“53rd NAACP Image Awards,” hosted by seven-time NAACP Image Awards winner Anthony Anderson, airs Saturday, February 26 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET. Presenters for the LIVE show include Issa Rae, Kerry Washington, LL Cool J, Michael Strahan, Morgan Freeman, Paula Patton, Questlove, Simu Liu, Tiffany Haddish, Zendaya, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, and NAACP Board Chairman Leon W. Russell. As previously announced, actor Samuel L. Jackson will be presented with the NAACP Chairman’s Award and Nikole Hannah-Jones, the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of the 1619 Project, will be presented with the Social Justice Impact Award. Non-televised award categories will be announced February 21-25 at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT on naacpimageawards.net and the NAACP Image Awards YouTube channel. The virtual show will be hosted nightly by actor and comedian Affion Crockett and presenters include Aida Rodriquez, Asiahn Bryant, Clint Coley, Cory Hardrict, Courtney Nichole, Demetrius Shipp Jr., Derrick Johnson, Karen Boykin-Towns, Khleo Thomas, Lauren Wesley Wilson, Leon W. Russell, Lori Harvey, Luke Lawal, Jr., Marcel Spears, Matt Cedeno, Melissa L. Williams, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and Wisdom Cole. Members of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, Texas House Democratic Caucus, andTexas Legislative Black Caucus will receive the Roy Wilkins Civil Rights Award. This year’s award is presented to those who individually and collectively exemplify the spirit of Roy Wilkins, who led the NAACP during the pivotal years of the modern civil rights movement, and embrace the organization’s work fighting for justice, protecting voting rights and encouraging full participation in the political process. This year will also mark the first time since 1993 that the NAACP will present the award. Past recipients include United Farm Workers President Cesar Chavez, Justice Thurgood Marshall and Reverend Jesse L. Jackson. The sixty-five members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus have fought for real solutions for all Texans and are steadfast in their commitment to increase access to affordable health care, invest in public schools and protect the freedom to vote. Chaired by Rep. Chris Turner (HD 101 - Grand Prairie), the caucus supports Texas House Democrats in all matters related to their policy, communications and district efforts. Formed in 1973, the Texas Legislative Black Caucus is committed to addressing the issues African Americans face across Texas. The TxLBC is currently composed of 17 members of the Texas House of Representatives and two Texas state senators and chaired by Rep. Nicole Collier (HD 95 - Fort Worth). The Mexican American Legislative Caucus was founded in 1973 in the Texas House of Representatives by a small group of lawmakers of Mexican American heritage for the purpose of strengthening their numbers and better representing a united Latino constituency across the state. MALC is the oldest and largest Latino legislative caucus in the United States with 41 members representing millions of Texans. Together, MALC works in matters of consequence to the state's large and growing Latino constituency and to raise the level of Latino engagement in Texas government. The current chair is Rep. Rafael Anchía (HD 103 - Dallas). As previously announced, the Activist of the Year award will be presented to Scot X. Esdaile, President of the Connecticut State Conference of NAACP Branches and a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors, and Youth Activist of the Year will be presented to Channing Hill, NAACP Chapter President of Howard University. The “53rd NAACP Image Awards” are presented by Wells Fargo and sponsored by AT&T, Google, T-Mobile, Bank of America, General Mills, FedEx, and Airbnb. For all information and the latest news, please follow NAACP Image Awards on Instagram @NAACPImageAwards. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21

• Inside the Industry (Virtual) – 7:00 PM (ET)/ 4:00 PM (PT)

• Awards Show Night 1 (Virtual) – 8:00 PM (ET) / 5:00 PM (PT)

• Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction

• Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction

• Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author

• Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography

• Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional

• Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry

• Outstanding Literary Work – Children

• Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens

• Outstanding Podcast – News and Information

• Outstanding Podcast – Arts and Entertainment

• Outstanding Podcast – Society and Culture

• Outstanding Podcast – Lifestyle / Self-Help

• Special Award: NAACP Youth Activist of the Year

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22

• Inside the Industry: A Conversation – The Diaspora Prospective: Part 1 (Virtual)– 7:00 PM (ET) / 4:00 PM (PT)

• Awards Show Night 2 (Virtual) – 8:00 PM (ET) / 5:00 PM (PT)

  • Outstanding Short-Form Series – Comedy or Drama

  • Outstanding Short-Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction

  • Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action)

  • Outstanding Short-Form (Animated)

  • Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

  • Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

  • Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special

  • Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture

  • Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

  • Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

  • Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special

  • Outstanding Directing in a Documentary

  • Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture

  • Special Award: NAACP Activist of the Year

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23

• Inside the Industry: A Conversation – The Diaspora Prospective: Part 2 (Virtual) – 7:00 PM (ET) / 4:00 PM (PT)

• Awards Show Night 3 (Virtual) – 8:00 PM (ET) / 5:00 PM (PT)

  • Outstanding Talk Series

  • Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

  • Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series

  • Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

  • Outstanding Variety or Game Show (Series or Special)

  • Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)

  • Outstanding Documentary (Television)

  • Outstanding Children’s Program

  • Outstanding Animated Series

  • Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)

  • Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture

  • Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

  • Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

  • Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture

  • Outstanding International Motion Picture

  • Outstanding Guest Performance

  • Special Award: Roy Wilkins Civil Rights Award

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24

• 17th Annual NAACP Hollywood Bureau Symposium: A Report – Industry Executives of Color (Virtual) – 7:00 PM (ET) / 4:00 PM (PT)

• Awards Show Night 4 (Virtual) – 8:00 PM (ET) / 5:00 PM (PT)

  • Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental

  • Outstanding Jazz Album – Vocal

  • Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song

  • Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album

  • Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)

  • Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)

  • Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album

  • Outstanding International Song

  • Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album

  • Outstanding New Artist

  • Outstanding Male Artist

  • Outstanding Female Artist

  • Outstanding Soul/R&B Song

  • Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song

  • Outstanding Album

  • Special Award: NAACP Humanitarian of the Year

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25

• Inside the Industry (Virtual) – 7:00 PM (ET)/ 4:00 PM (PT)

• Awards Show Night 5 (Virtual) – 8:00 PM (ET) / 5:00 PM (PT)

  • Outstanding Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special

  • Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special

  • Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special

  • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special

  • Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special

  • Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited–series)

  • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

  • Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

  • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

  • Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

  • Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

  • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

  • Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

  • Outstanding Documentary (Film)

  • Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

  • Outstanding Animated Motion Picture

About NAACP

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation's first civil and human rights law organization, and shares our commitment to equal rights.

About BET

BET, a subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIACA, VIAC), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African American audience. The primary BET channel is in 125 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET+, the preeminent streaming service for the Black audience; BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.