Entertainment

57th NAACP Image Awards: ‘Sinners’ Dominates With 18 Noms, ‘Bel-Air’ Leads Television Category

Published

10 months ago

January 12, 2026

The 2026 NAACP Image Awards have unveiled their nominations, celebrating standout achievements across film, television, music, and culture. This year’s contenders for Entertainer of the Year include Cynthia Erivo, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, Michael B. Jordan, and Teyana Taylor, reflecting a diverse mix of artistic excellence and cultural impact.

Select category winners will be announced during a two-hour live broadcast on Saturday, February 28, 2026, airing from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The ceremony begins at 8 PM ET / 8 PM PT and will be shown on BET, with a simultaneous broadcast on CBS. The theme for this year’s celebration, “We See You,” highlights recognition, visibility, and empowerment within the Black community.

In the film categories, Sinners emerges as the clear frontrunner, earning an impressive 18 nominations, while Highest 2 Lowest follows with nine. On the television side, Bel-Air leads the pack with seven nominations. Close behind are Abbott Elementary, Reasonable Doubt, and Ruth & Boaz, each securing six nods, while Forever earns five. Among networks and streamers, Netflix stands out with a commanding total of 47 nominations, underscoring its strong presence this awards season.

Entertainer of the Year

Cynthia Erivo
Doechii
Kendrick Lamar
Michael B. Jordan
Teyana Taylor

Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Harlem (Prime Video)
Survival of the Thickest (Netflix)
The Residence (Netflix)
The Upshaws (Netflix)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

Cedric The Entertainer – “The Neighborhood” (CBS)
David Alan Grier – “St. Denis Medical” (NBC)
David Oyelowo – “Government Cheese” (Apple TV)
Mike Epps – “The Upshaws” (Netflix)
Vince Staples – “The Vince Staples Show” (Netflix)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Ayo Edebiri – “The Bear” (FX/Hulu)
Maya Rudolph – “Loot” (Apple TV)
Michelle Buteau – “Survival of the Thickest” (Netflix)
Quinta Brunson – “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
Uzo Aduba – “The Residence” (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Colman Domingo – “The Four Seasons” (Netflix)
Giancarlo Esposito – “The Residence” (Netflix)
Josh Johnson – “The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)
Wendell Pierce – “Elsbeth” (CBS)
William Stanford Davis – “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Edwina Finley – “The Residence” (Netflix)
Ego Nwodim – “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Janelle James – “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
Jerrie Johnson – “Harlem” (Prime Video)
Wanda Sykes – “The Upshaws” (Netflix)

Outstanding Drama Series

Bel-Air (Peacock)
Beyond The Gates (CBS)
Forever (Netflix)
Paradise (Hulu)
Reasonable Doubt (Hulu)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Forest Whitaker – “Godfather of Harlem” (MGM+)
Jabari Banks – “Bel-Air” (Peacock)
Michael Cooper Jr. – “Forever” (Netflix)
Morris Chestnut – “Watson” (CBS)
Sterling K. Brown – “Paradise” (ABC)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

Angela Bassett – “9-1-1” (ABC)
Emayatzy Corinealdi – “Reasonable Doubt” (Hulu)
Lovie Simone – “Forever” (Netflix)
Patina Miller – “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” (STARZ)
Queen Latifah – “The Equalizer” (CBS)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Adrian Holmes – “Bel-Air” (Peacock)
Ato Essandoh – “The Diplomat” (Netflix)
Caleb McLaughlin – “Stranger Things” (Netflix)
Jacob Latimore – “The Chi” (Showtime)
Wood Harris – “Forever” (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Aisha Hinds – “9-1-1” (ABC)
Audra McDonald – “The Gilded Age” (HBO Max)
Karen Pittman – “Forever” (Netflix)
Karen Pittman – “The Morning Show” (Apple TV)
Nicole Beharie – “The Morning Show” (Apple TV)

Outstanding Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie)

G20 (Prime Video)
Ironheart (Disney+)
Ruth & Boaz (Netflix)
Straw (Netflix)
Washington Black (Hulu)

Outstanding Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie)

Brian Tyree Henry – “Dope Thief” (Apple TV)
Giancarlo Esposito – “Please Don’t Feed The Children”( Tubi)
Idris Elba – “Heads of State” (Prime Video)
Taye Diggs – “Terry McMillan Presents: His, Hers & Ours” (Lifetime)
Tyler Lepley – “Ruth & Boaz” (Netflix)

Outstanding Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie)

Brandy Norwood – “Christmas Everyday” (Lifetime)
Dominique Thorne – “Ironheart” (Disney+)
Serayah – “Ruth & Boaz” (Netflix)
Taraji P. Henson – “Straw” (Netflix)
Viola Davis – “G20” (Prime Video)

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)

CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip (CNN)
Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (PBS)
Hurricane Katrina: 20 Years After the Storm With Robin Roberts (ABC)
Michelle Obama: The Style, The Power, The Look: A Conversation with Robin Roberts (ABC)
The Don Lemon Show (YouTube)

Outstanding Talk Series

House Guest (YouTube TV)
Sherri (Syndicated)
Tamron Hall Show (ABC)
The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)
The View (ABC)

Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Services/Game Show

Celebrity Family Feud (ABC)
Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
Full Court Press (ESPN, ESPN+)
Love & Marriage: Huntsville (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
Ready to Love (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

Outstanding Variety (Series or Special)

Tiny Desk Concerts Celebrates Black Music Month 2025 (NPR)
HBCU Honors (BET Networks)
BET Awards 2025 (BET Networks)
Wicked: One Wonderful Night (NBC)
Ali Siddiq: My Two Sons (YouTube/Moment PPV)

Outstanding Children’s Program

Eyes of Wakanda (Disney+)
Gracie’s Corner (YouTube TV)
Iyanu (Cartoon Network)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney+)
Reading Rainbow (KidZuko)

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

Amanda Christine – IT: Welcome to Derry (HBO Max)
Blake Cameron James – IT: Welcome to Derry (HBO Max)
Jeremiah Felder – The Residence (Netflix)
Leah Sava Jeffries – Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney+)
Percy Daggs IV – Paradise (Hulu)

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

Abby Phillip – CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip (CNN)
Don Lemon – The Don Lemon Show (YouTube)
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. – Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates. Jr. (PBS)
Scott Evans – House Guest (YouTube TV)
Sherri Shepherd – Sherri (Syndicated)

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

Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough – Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
Barbara Corcoran, Lorie Grenier, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, Daniel Lubetzky, Kevin O’Leary – Shark Tank (ABC)
Bozoma St. John and Jimmy Fallon – On Brand with Jimmy Fallon (NBC)
Kevin Hart – BET Awards 2025 (BET Networks)
Steve Harvey – Celebrity Family Feud (ABC)

Outstanding Guest Performance

Brandee Evans – Reasonable Doubt (Hulu)
Dave Chappelle – Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Janet Hubert – Bel-Air (Peacock)
Malcolm-Jamal Warner – Murder in a Small Town (FOX)
Morris Chestnut – Reasonable Doubt (Hulu)

Outstanding Animated Series

Disney Jr.’s Ariel (Disney Jr.)
Gracie’s Corner (YouTube TV)
Iyanu (Cartoon Network)
Lil Kev (BET+)
Weather Hunters (PBS KIDS)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)

Anika Noni Rose – The Mighty Nein (Prime Video)
Ayo Edebiri – Big Mouth (Netflix)
Cedric the Entertainer – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney+)
Graceyn Hollingsworth – Gracie’s Corner (YouTube TV)
Kyla Pratt – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney+)

Outstanding Short Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction/Documentary

College Gameday: Michael Vick (ESPN)
Glam Through The Ages (KeyTV Network)
Noochie’s Live From The Front Porch (YouTube TV)
The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show starring Kendrick Lamar (FOX)
The Daily Show: After The Cut (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

Chinaka Hodge – Ironheart (Disney+)
Daniel Lawrence Taylor – Boarders (Tubi)
Haolu Wang – Black Mirror (Netflix)
Jas Summers – Stay (Hulu)
Tearrance Averelle Chisolm – Demascus (Tubi)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special, Movie)

Glynn Turman – Straw (Netflix)
Jay Ellis – All Her Fault (Peacock)
Rockmond Dunbar – Straw (Netflix)
Sterling K. Brown – Washington Black (Hulu)
Ving Rhames – Dope Thief (Apple TV)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie)

Angela Bassett – Zero Day (Netflix)
Lyric Ross – Ironheart (Disney+)
Marsai Martin – G20 (Prime Video)
Sherri Shepherd – Straw (Netflix)
Teyana Taylor – Straw (Netflix)

Outstanding New Artist

Elmiene – Useless Without You (Def Jam Recordings)
Lee Vasi – Love Me To Life (Capitol CMG/Leeda Music Group)
Madison McFerrin – Scorpio (MadMcFerrin Music LLC)
Monaleo – Who Did the Body? (Columbia Records)
Ravyn Lenae – Bicycle Race (Atlantic Records)

Outstanding Male Artist

Bryson Tiller – Solace & The Vices (RCA Records/TrapSoul)
Chris Brown – It Depends feat. Byrson Tiller (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
GIVĒON – Beloved (Epic Records)
Kendrick Lamar – luther (pgLang under exclusive license to Interscope Records)
Leon Thomas – MUTT Deluxe: Heel (EZMNY Records/Motown Records)

Outstanding Female Artist

Alex Isley – Hands (Warner Records)
Cardi B – Am I the Drama? (Atlantic Records)
Doechii – Anxiety (Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records)
SZA – SOS Deluxe: LANA (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)
Teyana Taylor – Escape Room (Def Jam Recordings)

Outstanding Jazz Album

For Dinah – Ledisi (Candid Records)
We Insist! 2025 – Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell (Candid Records)
Beneath the Skin – Nnenna Freelon (Origin Records)
Live-Action – Nate Smith – Nate Smith (Naive)
Griot Songs – Omar Thomas Large Ensemble (Omar Thomas Music)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album

Jekalyn X The Legends – Jekalyn Carr (Waynorth Music)
Live at Maverick City – Maverick City Music (Tribl Records, LLC)
Only On The Road (Live) – Tye Tribbett (Freligious Music)
Tasha – Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Motown Gospel)
The Live Reunion: Washington D.C. – JJ Hairson and Youthful Praise (James Town Music)

Outstanding International Song

In Our Sight – Skip Marley (Def Jam Recordings)
Is It – Tyla (Epic Records)
Love – Burna Boy (Spaceship/Bad Habit/Atlantic Records)
With You – Davido feat. Omah Lay (RCA Records/Sony Music UK)
You4Me – Tiwa Savage (Everything Savage/EMPIRE)

Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album

Anxiety – Doechii (Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records)
Boots on the Ground – 803Fresh (Snake Eyez Music Group/APG)
Escape Room – Teyana Taylor (Def Jam Recordings)
Folded – Kehlani (Atlantic Records)
luther – Kendrick Lamar & SZA (pgLang under exclusive license to Interscope Records)

Outstanding Album

Am I The Drama? – Cardi B (Atlantic Records)
Beloved – GIVĒON (Epic Records)
Let God Sort Em Out – Clipse, Pusha T, Malice (Roc Nation Distribution)
Mutt Deluxe: Heel – Leon Thomas (EZMNY Records/Motown Records)
SOS Deluxe: LANA – SZA (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album

Godfather of Harlem: Season 4 (Original Series Soundtrack) (Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment)
Highest 2 Lowest (Original Soundtrack) (A24)
Sinners (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Proximity Media LLC, under exclusive license to Masterworks, a label of Sony Music Entertainment)
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder: Season 3 (Music from the Series) (Walt Disney Records)
Wicked: For Good (The Soundtrack) (Republic Records)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song

Church – Tasha Cobbs Leonard feat John Legend (Motown Gospel)
Constant – Live – Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore, Anthony Gargiula (Tribl Records)
Do it Again – Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul Recordings/Tribl Records)
Don’t Faint – Jekalyn Carr (Waynorth Music)
Jesus I Do – Mariah Carey feat. The Clark Sisters (gamma.)

Outstanding Song – Soul/R&B

Folded – Kehlani (Atlantic Records)
Burning Blue – Mariah the Scientist (Epic Records)
It Depends – Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
Yes It Is – Leon Thomas (EZMNY Records/Motown Records)
Bed of Roses – Teyana Taylor (Def Jam Recordings)

Outstanding Song – Hip-Hop/Rap Song

Anxiety — Doechii (Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records)
Chains & Whips – Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, Malice (Roc Nation Distribution)
ErrTime – Cardi B (Atlantic Records)
Ride (Remix) – Chance the Rapper feat. Do or Die & Twista (CTR LLC)
Typa – GloRilla (CMG/Interscope Records)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)

803Fresh feat. Fantasia – Boots on the Ground Remix (Snake Eyez Music Group/Artist Partner Group)
Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, Malice – Chains & Whips (Roc Nation Distribution)
Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande – For Good (Republic Records)
Mariah Carey, The Clark Sisters – Jesus I Do (gamma.)
Travis Greene & Andra Day – Let Freedom Ring (Greenelight Music/TRIBL Records)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)

Cardi B, Kehlani – Safe (Atlantic Records)
Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller & Usher – It Depends (Remix) (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
kwn feat. Kehlani – Worst Behavior (RCA Records)
FLO – The Mood (Remixes) (Uptown Records/Republic Records)
Leon Thomas & Chris Brown – MUTT (Remix) (EZMNY Records/Motown Records)

Outstanding Original Score for Television/Film

Boots (Madison Gate Records)
Eyes of Wakanda Original Soundtrack (Hollywood Records)
Marvel’s Ironheart: Vol. 1 (Original Soundtrack) (Hollywood Records)
One of Them Days (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Madison Gate Records, TriStar Productions)
Sinners (Original Motion Picture Score) (Proximity Media LLC, under exclusive license to Sony Classical, a label of Sony Music Entertainment)

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction

Can’t Get Enough – Kennedy Ryan (Forever/Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group)
Chronicles of Ori: An African Epic – Harmonia Rosales (W. W. Norton & Company)
Death of the Author – Nnedi Okorafor (William Morrow)
Happy Land – Dolen Perkins-Valdez (Berkley, Penguin Random House)
Harlem Rhapsody – Victoria Christopher Murray (Berkley, Penguin Random House)

Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction

A More Perfect Party: The Night Shirley Chisholm & Diahann Carroll Reshaped Politics – Juanita Tolliver (Legacy Lit/Hachette Book Group)
Born in Flames – Bench Ansfield (W. W. Norton & Company)
From These Roots – Tamara Lanier (Penguin Random House, Crown)
Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Black Hotel, Motel, and Resort Owners from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era – Calvin Stovall Jr. (Brown Books Publishing Group)
I Am Nobody’s Slave – Lee Hawkins (HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author

Anela Malik – American Soul: The Black History of Food in the United States (National Geographic Partners, LLC)
Charles B. Fancher – Red Clay (Blackstone Publishing)
Dr. Judith Joseph – High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy (Little, Brown Spark)
Lorna Lewis – A Sky Full of Love (Lake Union)
Zoe B. Wallbrook – History Lessons (Soho Crime)

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography

107 Days – Kamala Harris (Simon & Schuster)
The Look – Michelle Obama (Crown)
Toni at Random – Dana A. Williams (Amistad, HarperCollins)
Truly – Lionel Richie (HarperOne)
Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned from All Three – Dawn Staley (Black Privilege Publishing (Atria Books, Simon & Schuster))

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional

American Soul: The Black History of Food in the United States – Anela Malik (National Geographic Partners, LLC)
Braided Heritage: Recipes and Stories on the Origin of American Cuisine – Dr. Jessica Harris (Penguin Random House/Clarkson Potter)
We the Pizza: Slangin’ Pies and Savin’ Lives – Muhammad Abdul-Hadi (Penguin Random House/Clarkson Potter)
Who Better Than You? – Will Packer (Penguin Random House)
Wine Pairing for the People – Cha McCoy (Harvest, an imprint of WilliamMorrow, HarperCollins)

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry

Death of the First Idea – Rickey Laurentiis (Alfred A. Knopf)
Florida Water – Aja Monet (Haymarket Books)
The Grace of Black Mothers – Martheaus Perkins (Trio House Press)
The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems – Patricia Smith (Scribner)
We Look Better Alive – Ali Black (Burnside Review Press)

Outstanding Literary Work – Children

Black Boy, Rise – Brynne Barnes (Chronicle Books)
Black Diamond Kings: Heroes of Negro League Baseball – Charles R. Smith Jr. (Candlewick Press)
My Quiet Place – Monica Mikai (Chronicle Books )
The History of We – Nikkolas Smith (Penguin Young Readers)
Yvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark – Allen R. Wells; Illustrated by DeAndra Hodge (Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers/Macmillan)

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens

(S)Kin – Ibi Zoboi (HarperCollins/Versify)
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi – Angie Thomas (HarperCollins/Clarion Books)
The Scammer – Tiffany D. Jackson (HarperCollins – Quill Tree Books)
The Story of My Anger – Jasminne Mendez (Penguin Young Readers)
Through Our Teeth – Pamela N. Harris (HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books)

Outstanding Literary Work – Graphic Novel

Creaky Acres: A Graphic Novel – Calista Bril (Penguin Young Readers)
Defiant: The Story of Robert Smalls – Rob Edwards (Stranger Comics)
One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel – Rita William-Garcia (HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books)
Parable of the Talents A Graphic Novel Adaptation – Octavia E. Butler, adapted by Damien Duffy, Illustrated by John Jennings and David Brame (Abrams ComicArts)
They Choose Violence – Sheldon Allen (AWA Studios)

Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism

As Black New Yorkers Move Out, N.Y.C. Politics May Be Reshaped – Maya King (Newspaper)
Audra McDonald Took The Stage and Rewrote The Rules – Adam Davenport (Online)
Black joy and boots: How line dancing is fanning cultural connection – Lisa Respers France (News Service)
HBCUs Reel as Trump Cuts Black-Focused Grants: ‘This Is Our Existence’ – Jasper Smith (Online)
On Borrowed Time – Anissa Durham (Online)

Outstanding Motion Picture

Highest 2 Lowest (A24)
One of Them Days (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Sarah’s Oil (Amazon MGM Studios)
Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

André Holland – Love, Brooklyn (Greenwich Entertainment)
Denzel Washington – Highest 2 Lowest (A24)
Michael B. Jordan – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Nnamdi Asomugha – The Knife (Relatively Media)
Tyriq Withers – HIM (Monkeypaw Productions)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

Cynthia Erivo – Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)
Danielle Deadwyler – 40 Acres (Magnolia Pictures)
Keke Palmer – One Of Them Days (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Kerry Washington – Shadow Force (Lionsgate)
Tessa Thompson – Hedda (Amazon MGM Studios)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

A$AP Rocky – Highest 2 Lowest (A24)
Damson Idris – F1 (Apple Original Films)
Delroy Lindo – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Jeffrey Wright – Highest 2 Lowest (A24)
Miles Caton – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Janelle James – One Of Them Days (Sony)
Jayme Lawson – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Regina Hall – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures )

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

40 Acres (Magnolia Pictures)
Love, Brooklyn (Greenwich Entertainment)
Magazine Dreams (Briarcliff Entertainment)
Opus (A24)
Unexpected Christmas (3 Diamonds Entertainment)

Outstanding International Motion Picture

40 Acres (Magnolia Pictures)
My Father’s Shadow (MUBI)
Souleymane’s Story (Kino Lorber)
The Fisherman (Luu Vision Media)
The Secret Agent (NEON)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

A$AP Rocky – Highest 2 Lowest (A24)
Chase Infiniti – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Miles Caton – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Tabitha Brown – Unexpected Christmas (3 Diamonds Films)
Tyriq Withers – HIM (Monkeypaw Productions)

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture

Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Buddy Guy, Delroy Lindo, Peter Dreimanis, Lola Kirke, Li Jun Li, Saul Williams, Yao – “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Keke Palmer, SZA, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams – “One Of Them Days” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Coleman Domingo, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Michelle Yeoh – “Wicked: For Good” (Universal Pictures)
Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, A$AP Rocky – “Highest 2 Lowest” (A24)
Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, Tracy Letts, Anthony Ramos, Moses Ingram, Jonah Hauer-King, Greta Lee, Jason Clarke – “A House of Dynamite” (Netflix)

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture

Elio (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)
Sneaks (Briarcliff Entertainment)
The Bad Guys 2 (DreamWorks Animation)
Zootopia 2 (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture

Anthony Mackie – Sneaks (Briarcliff Entertainment)
Craig Robinson – The Bad Guys 2 (DreamWorks Animation)
Danielle Brooks – The Bad Guys 2 (DreamWorks Animation)
Lil Rel Howery – Dog Man (DreamWorks Animation)
Quinta Brunson – Zootopia 2 (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)

ADO (Baylor University)
Before You Let Go (Find Your People Program)
Best Eyes (American Film Institute Conservatory)
Ella (Netflix)
Food for the Soul (P.A. Works)

Outstanding Short Form (Animated)

ASALI: Power of The Pollinators (Upenndo! Productions)
Black Man, Black Man (Chainwheel Productions)
Captain Zero: Into the Abyss Part II (Cutting Edge Animation)
Jazzy Bells (Deep C Digital)
Wednesdays with Gramps (DreamWorks Animation)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

Cassandra Mann – Unexpected Christmas (3 Diamonds Entertainment LLC)
Contessa Gayles – Songs from the Hole (Netflix)
Nnamdi Asomugha – The Knife (Relativity Media)
R.T. Thorne – 40 Acres (Magnolia Pictures)
Rachael Abigail Holder – Love, Brooklyn (Greenwich Entertainment)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth in a Motion Picture

Amari Price – The Knife (Relativity Media)
Estella K. Kahiha – The Woman in the Yard (Athena Studios)
Jahleel Kamara – Shadow Force (Lionsgate)
Naya Desir-Johnson – Sarah’s Oil (Amazon MGM Studios)
Peyton Jackson – The Woman in the Yard (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Cinematography in a Motion Picture

Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Kira Kelly – HIM (Universal Pictures)
Martim Vian – Love, Brooklyn (Greenwich)
Sean Bobbitt – Hedda (Amazon MGM Studios)
Shabier Kirchner – Materialists (A24)

Outstanding Documentary (Film)

Being Eddie (Netflix)
Fatherless No More (First Gen Films)
Left Behind (Corso Films)
The Perfect Neighbor (Netflix)
Who in the Hell is Regina Jones? (Weigel Productions)

Outstanding Documentary (Television)

A Star Without A Star: The Untold Juanita Moore Story (Apple TV)
Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest 1977-2015 (HBO Max)
Great Migrations: A People on the Move (PBS)
High Horse: The Black Cowboy (Peacock)
Number One On the Call Sheet (Apple TV)

Outstanding Short Form Documentary (Film)

Black Longevity (Apt. 5f)
CIRILO, A Legacy Untold (JOCMedia & Entertainment)
Freeman Vines (Switchboard)
Masaka Kids, a Rhythm Within (Netflix)
The Ebony Canal: A Story of Black Infant Health (Ya Momz House)

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

Aisha Muharrar – Hacks – “Clickable Face” (HBO Max)
Frida Perez – The Studio – “The War” (Apple TV)
Lizzy Darrell – Abbott Elementary – “100th Day of School” (ABC)
Monique D. Hall – Sesame Street – “Tamir’s Art Show” (MAX)
Naomi Ekperigin – St. Denis Medical – “Buffalo Bruce and the Matty Kid” (NBC)

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

Ajani Jackson – Law & Order – “Episode 10” (NBC)
Bryce Ahart, Stephanie McFarlane – FBI – “Episode 12” (CBS)
C.A. Johnson – The Beast in Me – “Thanatos” (Netflix)
Cynthia Adarkwa – The Pitt -“12:00 P.M.” (HBO Max)
Walter Mosley – The Lowdown – “Tulsa Turnaround” (FX/Hulu)

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie, Documentary or Special

Aireka Muse – “Friends & Lovers” (Lifetime Movie Network)
Jas Summers – “Stay” (Hulu)
Jerrod Carmichael – “Jerrod Carmichael: Don’t Be Gay” (HBO Max)
Michael Elliot, Cory Tynan – “Ruth & Boaz” (Netflix)
Roye Okupe and Brandon Easton – “Iyanu: The Age of Wonders” (Cartoon Network)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture

Chloé Zhao – “Hamnet” (Focus Features)
Nora Garrett – “After the Hunt” (Amazon MGM Studios)
Ryan Coogler – “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Syreeta Singleton – “One of Them Days” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Walter Mosley, Nadia Latif – “The Man in My Basement” (Andscape)

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

Amy Aniobi – Survival of the Thickest – “It’s Not A MoMent, It’s A Movement, Bitch!” (Netflix)
Colman Domingo – The Four Seasons – “Ultimate Frisbee” (Netflix)
Paul Hunter – Government Cheese – “Father Facts, Figures, and Failures” (Apple TV)
Theodore Witcher – Demascus – “The Thanksgiving Episode” (Tubi)
Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary – “The Science Fair” (ABC)

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

Angela Barnes – Ironheart – “The Past Is the Past” (Disney+)
Anton Cropper – Reasonable Doubt – “Feelin’ It” (Hulu)
Jet Wilkinson – The Copenhagen Test – “Copenhagen” (Peacock)
Mario Van Peebles – Power Book III: Raising Kanan – “Allow Me to Re-Introduce Myself” (STARZ)
Salli Richardson-Whitfield – The Gilded Age – “My Mind Is Made Up” (HBO Max)

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie, Documentary or Special

Alanna Brown – “Ruth & Boaz” (Netflix)
Nicole G. Leier – “Trapped in the Spotlight” (Lifetime)
Olatunde Osunsanmi – “Star Trek: Section 31” (Paramount+)
Tailiah Breon – “Not My Family: The Monique Smith Story” (A&E)
Troy A. Scott – “I’ll Never Let You Go” (Lifetime)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture

Elijah Bynum – “Magazine Dreams” (Briarcliff Entertainment)
Guillermo del Toro – “Frankenstein” (Netflix)
Lawrence Lamont – “One of Them Days” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
R.T. Thorne – “40 Acres” (Magnolia Pictures)
Ryan Coogler – “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Film)

Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson – “Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)” (Hulu)
Andre Gaines – “Boo-Yah – A Portrait of Stuart Scott” (ESPN)
Contessa Gayles – “Songs from the Hole” (Netflix)
Reginald Hudlin, Shola Lynch – “Number One on the Call Sheet” (Apple TV)
Yemi Oyediran – “King of Them All: The Story of King Records” (PBS)

Outstanding Podcast – News and Information

Accidentally Informed (ComebackTV Presents)
Native Land Pod (iHeartMedia/Reasoned Choice Media)
The Assignment with Audie Cornish (CNN)
The Don Lemon Show (Lemon Media Network)
The Joy Reid Show (Image Lab Media Group LLC)

Outstanding Podcast – Lifestyle/Self-Help

Ageless, Fearless, & Unscripted (Williamson Media Group)
Hot & Bothered with Melyssa Ford (Forged Path Productions)
IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson (Higher Ground)
Just Heal with Dr. Jay (Cue & Coda Films)
Money And Wealth With John Hope Bryant (Black Effect-iHeartPodcasts)

Outstanding Podcast – Society and Culture

Baby, This is Keke Palmer (Wondery)
Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay (The Ringer)
IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson (Higher Ground)
The Don Lemon Show (Lemon Media Network)
What Now? with Trevor Noah (Day Zero Productions)

Outstanding Podcast – Arts, Sports and Entertainment

IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson (Higher Ground)
Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe (Hillman Grad & Lemonada Media)
ReLiving Single with Erika Alexander & Kim Coles (Hartbeat)
Shawn Stockman’s On That Note (CTG Media)
SPOLITICS with Jemele Hill (Unbothered Inc)

Outstanding Podcast – Scripted/Limited Series/Short Form

Exonerated: The Cost of Wrongful Conviction (WURD Radio)
Interesting Things with JC (Jim Connors LLC)
Kingsland (SBH Productions and Audible)
Squeezed with Yvette Nicole Brown (Lemonada Media)
The Prophecy Season 2 (Audible, Simpson Street and Q Code Media)

Outstanding Costume Design (TV or Film)

“Bel-Air” – Queensylvia Akuchie (Peacock)
“Highest 2 Lowest” – Francine Jamison-Tanchuck (A24)
“Love, Brooklyn” – Missy Mickens (Greenwich Entertainment)
“Sinners” – Ruth E. Carter (Warner Bros. Pictures)
“Wicked: For Good” – Paul Tazewell (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Make-up (TV or Film)

“All’s Fair” – Kate Biscoe (Hulu)
“Bel-Air” – Alyssa Hudson (Peacock)
“Chief of War” – Christian Tinsley (Apple TV)
“Highest 2 Lowest” – Ngozi Olandu Young (A24)
“Sinners” – Ken Diaz (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Hair Styling (TV or Film)

“All’s Fair” – Valerie Jackson (Hulu)
“Bel-Air” – Terry Hunt (Peacock)
“Beyond the Gates” – Wankala L. Hinkson (CBS)
“Reasonable Doubt” – Deaundra Metzger (Hulu)
“Sinners” – Shunika Terry (Warner Bros. Pictures )

Outstanding Editing in a Motion Picture or Television Series, Movie, or Special

Deanna Nowell, ACE – “Ironheart” (Disney+)
Maysie Hoy, ACE – “Ruth & Boaz” (Netflix)
Michael P. Shawver – “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Ralph Jean-Pierre – “The Beast in Me” (Netflix)
Shaheed Qaasim – “Poker Face” (Peacock)

Outstanding Stunt Ensemble (TV or Film)

“Butterfly” – Yeonheon Jung (Prime Video)
“F1” – Gary Powell (Apple TV)
“ G20” – Grant Powell (Prime Video)
“Shadow Force” – Dartenea Bryant (Starz)
“Sinners” – Andy Gill (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Art/Comedy

Darren Watkins Jr. – @IShowSpeed
Jordan Howlett – @jordan_the_stallion8
Joshua Neal – @joshuadneal
Lou Young – @Louuuyoung
Tee Sanders – @teesanderscomedy

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Political/Culture

Elizabeth Booker Houston – @bookersquared
Garrison Hayes – @garrisonh
George Lee Jr. – @theconsciouslee
Joshua Doss – @doss.discourse
Lynae Vanee – @lynaevanee

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Fashion/Beauty

Allyiah Gainer – @allyiahsface
De’arra Taylor – @dearra
Eni Popoola – @enigivensunday
Jackie Asamoah – @jackieaina
Wisdom Kaye – @wisdm

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Gaming/Tech

Berlin Edmonds – @Berleezy
Cory Kenshin – @CoryxKenshin
Gerard Williams – @Hiphopgamer
Jay Ann Lopez – @blackgirlgamers
Khleo Thomas – @khleothomas

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Fitness/Wellness/Food

Alex Hill – @justaddhotsauce
Jeanette Jenkins – @msjeanettejenkins
Keith Lee – @Keith_Lee125
Kimberly Villalobos – @KimmysKreations.1
Massy Arias – @Massy.arias

Up Next

LaKeith Stanfield Joins Jonathan Anderson’s Expanding Dior Men’s Universe

Don't Miss

“Sinners” wins two Golden Globes; loses out on Best Motion Picture

Itoro N. Umontuen

Itoro Umontuen serves as the National Sports and Entertainment Editor with Black Press USA. He is also a veteran photographer for 20 years, based in Atlanta for the past 15 years. His photography and videography style is a blend of portraiture and contemporary photojournalism. Previously, Umontuen served as the Managing Editor for The Atlanta Voice. While at the historic publication, Umontuen reported on local, statewide, and national politics. He also photographed thousands of sporting events, including Super Bowls and National Championships. He also engineers podcasts while mentoring emerging journalists. Umontuen is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University.

Comments

Black History

Learn Black History and Win Your Next Game Night

INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER — Dr. Maxine Bryant, a culture keeper and professor, is combatting book bans and historical inaccuracies through the launch of GriotSpeaks: The Game. The new board game is designed to celebrate the African diaspora by incorporating elements of geography, literature, music, and the Gullah Geechee culture.

Published

2 hours ago

November 3, 2026

BlackPressUSA Newswire

Learn Black History and Win Your Next Game Night

Maxine Bryant, Ph.D., creator and founder GriotSpeaks, is sharing the history of the African diaspora through her new board game.

Bryant often quotes the African proverb: “Until the lion tells the story, the hunter will always be the hero.” She said for the hunter has been telling the story of the African diaspora for “far too long.”

The game is based in African culture. The spaces on the board feature the countries of the African diaspora and it uses gold bars and cowrie shells as currency while special game spaces showcase symbols such as the Sankofa bird, a pyramid and an Ankh.

Bryant, a culture keeper and educator, created the game to add a bit of fun to her ongoing mission of dispelling myths and sharing accurate history. She used the history lessons she taught over the years as the foundation for the game’s trivia questions. Bryant said she is even more motivated to correct the inaccurate narratives due to recent book bans and efforts to minimize or omit the contributions of Black people.

“We can’t tell our story if we don’t know our story,” Bryant said.

History buffs may start the game with a slight advantage, but even players with limited knowledge have a chance to win with some strategic play. During one game demonstration, she said, an 11-year-old beat her with the clever use of one of the game’s wild cards.

Bryant’s goal is for people to learn new information while having a good time with one another. She sat down with the Recorder to share her inspiration for the game and how she hopes it will influence the culture.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What was the inspiration for creating a game?

Maxine Bryant: In all honesty, God gave me the vision for the game.

I put that board game together the way God showed me in in this vision, if you will, it was to be educational, informative, and entertaining. And so, I knew I wanted it to encompass all of the diaspora and with the educational part of it. Since I am a professor, it needed to encompass the critical areas of our history.

So, it’s geography; it’s the resistance, the protest — all of that. It’s … literature, music, the Gullah Geechee culture, storytelling, the whole gamut, and then Black people.

What are some of the things people are surprised to finally learn while playing the game?

Bryant: The genius of Black people.

Many people know Madam C.J. Walker, although I’m finding out that not everybody does. But one of the questions (asks about) who invented the hot comb? Everybody thinks Madam C.J. Walker, but no, that was not her thing. Her thing was hair care and strengthening hair. It was a man (Walter H. Sammons) who created the hot comb. So, people are amazed at what they’re learning.

How do you hope that this new knowledge helps people see the world?

Bryant: So, what I hope people learn is our true history, the history of our struggle, and our resistance, the history of our greatness, and information about our culture. That positions us then to be able to stand tall in knowledge of self.

One of the things I wholeheartedly believe in is that little Black boys and little Black girls who grow up with the message that you are nothing because you are Black … it’s easy for me to take you out. But if I look at you and I know that you’re great and I’m great, I may just have a different kind of level of respect for you.

I think that having a sense of self can impact how I look at myself and how I look at people who look like me.

Is there anything else you want to share?

Bryant: In my mind, this game is a must-have. It is so unique. Now, within the culture, we have trivia games and usually they’re trivia about sports or about entertainment and some about history, right? And usually, it pertains to people in the United States or events in the United States, culture in the United States.

This game contains movement around a physical board like Monopoly, but it also encompasses the entire African diaspora so it’s not just the United States. People who played this game tell me … they’ve never seen anything like it.

GriotSpeaks: The Game is best suited for players 17 and older. The game is available for purchase through Amazon or at the GriotSpeaks website.

Contact Editor-in-Chief Camike Jones at 317-762-7850.

The post Learn Black history and win your next game night appeared first on Indianapolis Recorder.

Based on reporting by Indianapolis Recorder.

Black Press

21st Annual Taste of Soul: California’s Largest Black Street Festival Comes Alive With Culture, Music and Connections

The 21st annual Taste of Soul Family Festival drew over 300,000 attendees to South Los Angeles for a massive celebration of Black culture, food, and music. Spanning the Crenshaw Boulevard corridor, the free event featured roughly 350 vendors, offering everything from Southern cuisine to professional health services and job recruitment opportunities. While headlining musical acts performed across three stages, the festival also served as a vital platform for small business entrepreneurs to reach a vast audience. Organizers are now addressing reports regarding several incidents that occurred during the festivities. Read more.

Published

5 hours ago

November 3, 2026

BlackPressUSA Newswire

INSIDE Danny Bakewell Sr. (left) and Pamela Bakewell (right), longtime community leaders and organizers of the Taste of Soul Family Festival in Los Angeles.

The 21st annual Taste of Soul Family Festival brought hundreds of thousands to Crenshaw Boulevard in South Los Angeles on Oct. 17 for food, music and a celebration of Black culture. Visitors could shop with small businesses, enjoy live music performances, speak with health professionals and learn about job opportunities.

Presented by Bakewell Media and the Los Angeles Sentinel, the free festival stretched along the corridor from Stocker Street to Obama Boulevard. The Sentinel estimated attendance at more than 300,000. The day also marked founder Danny J. Bakewell Sr.’s 80th birthday.

“We call it a party with a purpose,” Pam Bakewell, the founder’s sister and a longtime festival organizer, told California Black Media (CBM).

The enticing aromas of barbecue, fried chicken and catfish filled the air as food vendors served up a tempting array of Southern favorites, including cobbler and other desserts. Vendors also offered clothing, jewelry, books and beauty products. About 350 vendors and sponsors participated, including approximately 80 food vendors, Bakewell said. Businesses came from across Southern California and as far away as Chicago and Atlanta.

“In one day, an entrepreneur has the opportunity to showcase their business to hundreds of thousands of people,” Danny J. Bakewell Jr., president of the Sentinel.

Chase offered vendors training in marketing and financial management, followed by a reception.

Experienced vendors also helped newcomers. Pam Bakewell cited Cobbler King, a longtime participant who shares lessons from his early festivals about preparing for crowds and building a business.

“We want everybody to be successful,” she said. “We can’t guarantee that, but we give you the crowd.”

Kaiser Permanente served as the festival’s main medical provider. St. John’s Community Health sponsored Children’s World, where children played games while families received preventive care and information about follow-up services.

St. John’s provided flu shots, fluoride treatments for children and clinic sign-ups for physical examinations. It also reported distributing more than 10,400 bags of diapers.

CBM hosted a booth as part of its California Black Health Journalism Project, a yearlong, solutions-oriented reporting initiative to advance health equity for Black Californians.

Dr. Deidra Beckles, who practices family and internal medicine, and Adriana Westby-Trent, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist, held “Ask the Doc” conversations. Both are with Divinely Restored Health & Wellness. The booth drew steady traffic as they answered attendees’ health questions. Visitors received a “Your Wellness Matters” T-shirt.

The Sentinel promoted a developing jobs platform, inviting attendees to post resumes and connect with employers. Bakewell said about 350 people signed up along the boulevard.

Three stages offered music for different generations. The Bakewell Media Sounds of the Soul Stage featured Thelma Houston, Switch and headliner Midnight Star. Tony Cornelius, son of “Soul Train” creator Don Cornelius, introduced Midnight Star and appeared with eight veteran dancers from the television show.

The Radio Free KJLH Music Stage featured Lucky Daye, Alex Isley, Allen Stone and Terisa Griffin. On the Brenda Marsh-Mitchell Gospel Stage, MAJOR. served as host and performer. The lineup included Deitrick Haddon, local choirs and a youth performing arts ensemble.

During the festivities, ABC7 reported two stabbings and an hours long Los Angeles Police Department citywide tactical alert.

Pam Bakewell said police told organizers the incidents occurred outside the festival boundaries. She said organizers are reviewing safety measures with security personnel and police.

Black History

Retirement Triggers Doctor to Pen Book for Young Audience

THE CHAMPION NEWSPAPER — After more than 35 years as a pediatric surgeon, Dr. Deborah Burton has transitioned from the operating room to the world of young adult literature. Writing under the pen name MD Burton, the retired Marietta physician recently released her debut sci-fi fantasy mystery novel, Invisible Cages: The Alynthia Quest.

Published

7 days ago

October 27, 2026

BlackPressUSA Newswire

Retirement Triggers Doctor to Pen Book for Young Audience

After more than 35 years as a pediatric surgeon, Deborah Burton retired but didn’t give up one of the most rewarding aspects of her career—connecting with young people.

Burton used writing and her imagination to create a young adult sci-fi fantasy mystery novel, Invisible Cages: The Alynthia Quest, under the pen name MD Burton. Her debut novel launched in early October, and Burton said she’s been delighted with the responses so far.

The novel follows Jade Babington who leads a team of resourceful friends as they join an elite organization to crack a spy network and embark on a high-tech adventure to find answers. Her quest is complicated by powers that surge through her body, and to be successful, she needs to understand her family roots, embrace her emerging talents, and step into her legacy, according to a press release.

Through the book, readers are introduced to a range of characters who work in STEM and healthcare careers which Burton hopes will inspire readers to consider pursuing careers in some of those areas.

Burton moved to Dunwoody in 1995 and ran a successful pediatric ear, nose, and throat practice in Marietta. She retired in 2021 but missed the educational moments she shared with her young patients.

“I talk to kids all the time,” said Burton, adding that she likes to share insight into the many career paths in healthcare. “I love to educate and empower.”

She said she worked on the book for five years, researching coding, microchips, and satellites.

“It was a learning journey,” she remarked.

The book explores themes of self-acceptance, girl empowerment through strong female characters, the importance of family, and STEM exposure, states the press release. Set on a fictional health complex, the novel introduces readers to healthcare careers, as well as engineering and computer science.

The author also had to delve into unique aspects of her main character.

“Jade has powers and sees auras,” she explained. “So I spent a good amount of time learning about auras, telepathy and magical realism.”

In addition, to providing insight to STEM and healthcare careers, Burton hopes the books help her teen female readers dealing with insecurities to better understand and appreciate what makes them unique and the power they possess. She also hopes it will build self-confidence.

“You have to accept who you are,” she said. “Whatever your differences are, everybody’s got them, embrace them.”

Burton said she originally planned the book to be a seven-part series but on the advice of her edit changed it to four parts.

“I know what my end goal is,” said Burton noting that she’s included Easter eggs in the first book to entice readers throughout the reading process and has a completed outline for the other books in the series. After completing an audiobook of Invisible Cages: The Alynthia Quest by the end of the year, Burton plans to start writing the next book in 2027.

On Nov. 15, a book signing is scheduled at the Politan Row food hall in Dunwoody.

The self-published book is available in eBook, paperback, and hardback formats, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online retailers.

3 total views

Based on reporting by The Champion Newspaper.

Black Press

Dallas Mavericks Unite Players, Legends and the Oak Cliff Community at 2026 Community Tip-Off

THE DALLAS WEEKLY — The Dallas Mavericks launched their 2026-27 season by bringing the annual Community Tip-Off directly to the residents of Southern Dallas. Held at Halperin Park in Oak Cliff, the free event attracted approximately 3,000 children and featured current stars alongside franchise legends.

Published

7 days ago

October 27, 2026

BlackPressUSA Newswire

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 19: The Dallas Mavericks entire organization was on hand to kick off the season with a community event on October 19, 2026 at Halperin Park in Dallas, Texas. Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 Dallas Mavericks Credit: (Photo by Brandon Colston/Dallas Mavericks Photography) — Credit: (Photo by Brandon Colston/Dallas Mavericks Photography)

Dirk Nowitzki played 21 seasons for the Dallas Mavericks, becoming one of the most recognizable players in franchise history. However, some of the younger fans attending the team’s 2026 Community Tip-Off had a question for the Mavericks legend.

“I’m sure some of these kids didn’t know who I was because they asked,” Nowitzki said. “Some of them asked me, ‘Did you play for the Mavs?’ I think so, when your parents were around.”

It was one of many interactions that took place Monday afternoon as the Mavericks brought their 2026 Community Tip-Off directly to the people of Southern Dallas at Halperin Park in Oak Cliff.

Thousands of children had the opportunity to play basketball, enjoy festivities and spend time with their favorite Mavericks players and legends at the free community event, presented by Ticketmaster.

Dallas Mavericks Community Tip-Off Event at Halperin Park on Monday, October 19, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. (Nicole Malunowicz/Dallas Mavericks)

Mavericks president of business operations Ethan Casson spoke about the planning that went into bringing the celebration to Oak Cliff and the organization’s desire to create something different for the community.

“I think what we wanted to do for this season was really establish something that was about creating something more substantial, being very intentional with our efforts,” Casson said. “What if we showed up in a very grand way?”

That vision helped bring the Mavericks to Halperin Park, a bridge park constructed over Interstate 35E to reconnect Oak Cliff neighborhoods that had been separated by the highway for decades.

“We recognize what this park physically represents, which is connecting communities,” Casson said. “And when you’re able to visit, which we did with April and her team, the vision started to come to life.”

The park officially opened in May after years of planning, fundraising and community involvement. The Mavericks saw an opportunity to bring basketball and entertainment to a space created to strengthen relationships between neighborhoods.

April Allen, president and CEO of the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation, appreciated the organization choosing Oak Cliff for its season-opening celebration.

“For the Mavs to come here to Oak Cliff, to spend the time, energy and resources that you see here is really a testament to their commitment to community,” Allen said. “We’re so grateful and honored that they chose us for this experience.”

The Mavs Foundation also presented a $50,000 grant to Halperin Park during the celebration, providing additional financial support for the community space.

Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert attended the event and emphasized the importance of bringing celebrations and resources to Southern Dallas rather than leaving communities behind.

“We’ve got to continue to make sure that our community members are not left behind, and we’ve got to take things and be bold about going and being a part of community assets like Halperin Park,” Tolbert said.

Dallas Mavericks 2025.
(Roberto Hernandez/Dallas Mavericks)

The park represents an opportunity for neighborhoods to reconnect while creating a space where residents can gather and build relationships.

“I see that park as now a bridge that’s going to help us do that, even at a higher level,” Tolbert said.

Nowitzki also recognized the significance of the park and the investment that went into bringing the project to life.

“We all know what this park means to Dallas,” Nowitzki said. “Obviously, it’s been a project that’s been in the works for a long, long time.”

The Mavericks transformed Halperin Park into a gathering place filled with children playing basketball, visiting food vendors and interacting with players they had watched throughout the season.

Casson estimated approximately 3,000 children participated in the Community Tip-Off, including students from kindergarten through sixth-grade after-school programs.

Parents, teachers, local businesses and nonprofit organizations also attended, helping bring different parts of the Southern Dallas community together for the afternoon.

Approximately 200 Mavericks staff members helped organize the celebration, along with basketball operations personnel and corporate partners. Casson emphasized that bringing the entire organization together was an important part of making the event possible.

“When I say it was all hands on deck, it was all hands on deck,” Casson said. “It was really just one goal. How do we make it grand?”

Once the celebration began, the players had opportunities to interact with young fans and share messages about pursuing their dreams.

Mavericks forward Morez Johnson Jr. was among those who took the opportunity to encourage children to believe in themselves and work toward their goals.

“I think it means a lot, you know, to give these kids a lot to look up to,” Johnson said.

Johnson also reflected on messages shared with the children by his teammates, including P.J. Washington, Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg, about working hard and remaining focused on their dreams.

As one of the newer members of the Mavericks organization, Johnson appreciated the welcome he received and the chance to begin building relationships with the Dallas community.

“They welcomed me with open arms,” Johnson said. “I’m excited to get a chance to spend some time with these kids when I’m done with the interviews. I’m grateful to be here.”

For Casson, having players interact with children was one of the most meaningful parts of the celebration. He believes many athletes can relate to the experiences of young fans because of the coaches, teachers and mentors who helped shape their lives.

“To see your superheroes in person and know that those superheroes raised their hand and said they want to be here and be a part of it for this group is pretty special,” Casson said.

Nowitzki has experienced that relationship with Mavericks fans for more than two decades. Although some of the children were too young to remember his playing career, he appreciated the opportunity to connect with another generation.

“It’s cool to still get embraced by the city that I’ve played for for so long and now is my home,” Nowitzki said. “So definitely special. It means a lot.”

While the Community Tip-Off helped introduce the Mavericks to another generation of fans, the organization hopes to continue bringing similar celebrations to neighborhoods throughout Dallas.

Casson said the team plans to make the event an annual tradition, with future celebrations taking place in different communities.

“This is just the beginning,” Casson said. “This celebration we plan to bring to different communities, special communities throughout Dallas, year after year after year.”

The organization’s plans to visit other neighborhoods will not end its involvement in Southern Dallas. Casson emphasized that the Mavericks intend to continue supporting the community through additional programs, resources and investments.

Halperin Park was built to reconnect neighborhoods that had been separated for decades. On Monday, it also brought together generations of Mavericks fans, from those who watched Nowitzki throughout his career to children meeting him and the current team for the first time.

The Mavericks came to Oak Cliff to celebrate the beginning of the 2026-27 NBA season, but their goal extends beyond one afternoon of basketball and entertainment.

For Casson, the lasting impact of the celebration will depend on the organization’s willingness to continue showing up for the communities it serves.

“I think it’s important when you do any event, big or small, that it’s not a one-off,” Casson said. “This is about showing up again and again and again in different ways.”

The post Dallas Mavericks Unite Players, Legends and the Oak Cliff Community at 2026 Community Tip-Off appeared first on Dallas Weekly.

Based on reporting by The Dallas Weekly.

Art

Brooklyn Roots and Artistic Genius

THE POSITIVE COMMUNITY — Jean-Michel Basquiat emerged from Brooklyn to become one of the most influential artists of the late twentieth century. Born in 1960 to a Haitian father and a mother of Puerto Rican descent, his upbringing was defined by a rich blend of Caribbean cultural traditions and the linguistic diversity of New York City.

Published

7 days ago

October 27, 2026

BlackPressUSA Newswire

Jean-Michel Basquiat was one of the most influential artists to emerge from New York City during the late twentieth century. Born on December 22, 1960, in Brooklyn, New York, he transformed his experiences growing up in the city into a distinctive artistic language that combined painting, poetry, history, music, and social commentary. His work explored Black identity, racism, power, and the experiences of people whose stories had often been overlooked by mainstream institutions. Although his career lasted only a few years, Basquiat left a lasting mark on contemporary art.

Basquiat grew up in a family that exposed him to several cultural influences. His father, Gérard Basquiat, was born in Haiti, while his mother, Matilde Andrades, was born in New York to Puerto Rican parents. Through his parents, Jean-Michel was connected to Haitian, Puerto Rican, and broader Caribbean cultural traditions. Growing up in Brooklyn, he experienced the diversity of New York City, where different languages, communities, musical styles, and artistic expressions existed side by side. These influences would later become visible in his paintings, which frequently incorporated historical references, handwritten words, and symbols.

His mother played an important role in encouraging his early interest in art. Matilde recognized her son’s artistic ability and introduced him to museums, books, and cultural experiences. One important childhood event occurred when Basquiat was seven years old and was struck by a car while playing in the street. During his recovery, his mother gave him a copy of Gray’s Anatomy, a medical reference book that illustrated the human body in considerable detail. Its anatomical drawings influenced his lifelong interest in skeletons, skulls, and the internal structures of the human body. These images later became recurring features in his artwork.

Basquiat was one of four children born to Gérard and Matilde, although the family had experienced the loss of an older son before his birth. He had two younger sisters, Lisane and Jeanine, with whom he shared his early family life. His parents eventually separated, and his mother experienced periods of serious personal difficulties that affected the family. These circumstances formed part of a complicated childhood that included both encouragement and hardship. Although his family relationships were not always easy, his mother’s early support for his artistic interests remained an important influence on his development.

Basquiat’s upbringing was also shaped by language and cultural diversity. He grew up speaking English, French, and Spanish, reflecting the backgrounds of his parents and the environment in which he was raised. In 1974, his family moved to Puerto Rico for a period before returning to Brooklyn in 1976. These experiences exposed him to different cultural perspectives and helped establish the broad historical and cultural interests that later appeared in his work. His paintings often included words and references drawn from different languages, histories, and communities, creating a visual expression of his multicultural identity.

As a teenager, Basquiat became increasingly connected to Manhattan’s downtown art and music scenes. He eventually left home and supported himself through various activities, including selling handmade postcards and painted T-shirts. Along with his friend Al Diaz, he began creating cryptic graffiti under the name SAMO, short for “Same Old.” Their messages appeared on walls around Lower Manhattan and attracted attention for their wit, unusual phrasing, and criticism of established social and cultural conventions. This early work helped Basquiat develop a reputation as an original voice in New York’s underground creative community.

By the early 1980s, Basquiat had moved from street-based expression into the world of professional painting. His work attracted attention through exhibitions that introduced his distinctive style to collectors, critics, and fellow artists. His paintings combined bold colors, rough lines, repeated symbols, handwritten phrases, and images of human figures. Rather than following traditional expectations of polished painting, he created works that appeared energetic, fragmented, and emotionally direct. His artistic approach reflected the rhythms of New York City, where street culture, hip-hop’s emerging influence, punk music, and experimental art intersected.

A central theme in Basquiat’s work was the experience of Black people in a society shaped by racial inequality. He frequently portrayed historical figures, athletes, musicians, and other individuals whose achievements deserved recognition. Crowns appeared throughout his paintings as symbols that could suggest dignity, authority, and the importance of people who had been marginalized. His work also challenged colonialism, racism, and the unequal distribution of power. Rather than presenting history as a distant collection of events, Basquiat brought it into the present, encouraging viewers to consider whose stories were celebrated and whose were neglected.

Music was another important element of Basquiat’s creative life. He played in a band that eventually became known as Gray, exploring experimental sounds alongside his visual art. He was influenced by jazz and the broader musical culture of New York, and his paintings often possess a rhythm that resembles improvisation. Words, marks, and images seem to compete for attention while creating an overall composition. His artistic process shared something with jazz musicians who build a performance through experimentation, repetition, and unexpected changes. This connection between music and painting helped distinguish Basquiat from many of his contemporaries.

Basquiat also developed a significant relationship with Andy Warhol, one of the most recognizable artists of the twentieth century. The two artists collaborated on paintings during the 1980s, combining different approaches to imagery, color, and popular culture. Their relationship brought Basquiat into contact with an influential figure in the established art world, although it also highlighted the tensions between artistic creativity, celebrity, and commercial success. As his reputation grew, Basquiat had to navigate an industry that increasingly treated his identity and personal story as part of the appeal of his work. Nevertheless, he continued to produce paintings that expressed his individual perspective and challenged conventional ideas about art.

Despite his extraordinary success, Basquiat’s life was tragically short. He died in New York City on August 12, 1988, at just 27 years old, from an accidental drug overdose. His death ended a remarkably productive period in which he had moved from an underground artist in Brooklyn and Manhattan to an internationally recognized painter. His final years have also encouraged broader discussions about the pressures faced by young artists, the demands of celebrity, and the difficulties of maintaining personal well-being while working in a highly competitive industry. His death remains a painful reminder of the distance between public recognition and the private struggles a person may experience.

Today, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s legacy extends far beyond the galleries in which his paintings are displayed. His work is held by major museums, studied by scholars, and admired by artists across generations. His Brooklyn upbringing, Haitian and Puerto Rican heritage, family experiences, and encounters with New York’s streets all contributed to the development of an artistic vision that was unmistakably his own. Basquiat demonstrated that an artist did not need to follow traditional academic pathways to create work of lasting significance. His paintings continue to speak about identity, inequality, history, and the power of creative expression. From the streets of New York to the world’s leading museums, Basquiat remains a symbol of artistic independence and the enduring influence of Black creativity.

Based on reporting by The Positive Community.

Black Press

Roland Martin Brings Black Votes Matter to Tallahassee

FLORIDA SUN — Roland Martin brought his “Black Votes Matter 2026” live show to The Edison in Tallahassee as part of his “Roland on the Road” series, coinciding with Florida A&M University’s homecoming celebrations. The event drew a large crowd of Rattlers to the restaurant for a broadcast focused on the upcoming November general election.

Published

1 week ago

October 27, 2026

BlackPressUSA Newswire

Roland Martin Brings Black Votes Matter to Tallahassee

none; position: relative; z-index: 0;" class="fullwidth-entry-title single-big-i

TALLAHASSEE — Roland Martin hosted his “Black Votes Matter 2026” live show at The Edison on Friday, Oct. 23, bringing an election-focused conversation to Florida A&M University’s homecoming celebrations.

Rattlers filled the restaurant to celebrate homecoming and watch the broadcast, according to event organizers. Democratic candidates, elected officials and entertainment figures joined the program as campaigns entered the final stretch before the Nov. 3 general election.

The Tallahassee stop was part of Martin’s “Roland on the Road” series. It focused on the role of Black voters in the 2026 election and issues affecting communities across Florida.

Candidates and elected officials on the program

The show’s published billing featured state Rep. Angie Nixon, Florida’s Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate; David Jolly, the Democratic nominee for governor; and film producer Will Packer.

Organizers’ confirmed guest list also included Joey Mendoza Atkins, the Democratic nominee for Florida agriculture commissioner, and state Reps. Gallop Franklin, Jervonte Edmonds and Rashon Young.

The event coincided with FAMU’s Oct. 18–25 homecoming week. The university’s schedule included Friday’s Homecoming Convocation and FAMFest marketplace, followed by Saturday’s parade and football game.

Affordability and voter participation

Briefing materials prepared for guests emphasized housing costs, property insurance, health care and voter participation. The planned interview format called for short conversations about lawmakers’ work and the issues facing Floridians.

The Florida Democratic Party framed its message around lowering household costs and supporting its candidates in November. Its briefing encouraged guests to discuss affordability and the importance of voting.

For Florida Black voters following the election, the program placed statewide campaigns alongside familiar figures from politics and entertainment. Holding the broadcast during homecoming also brought the election conversation into a gathering centered on Rattler traditions and reunions.

Florida’s general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Readers can find official election dates and contact information for their county elections office through the Florida Division of Elections.