A Classy and Dignified Image Awards

Friday night’s 38th Annual NAACP Image Awards was a benchmark program for several reasons, not the least of which was the fact that the show aired live for the first time in its 38-year history and that it exuded an air of class and dignity not usually associated with the broadcast.

Hosted by LL Cool J, this year’s broadcast was conventional in its approach but succeeded because the producer understood that less is more. In the past, the Image Awards have been highlighted by such moments as multiple nominations for films like Kingdom Come and the infamous Barbershop flap.

Granted, there were still a couple of awkward moments For example, actor Isaiah Washington won for “Grey’s Anatomy” and thanked lesbian activist, Jasmyne Cannick, who has come to his defense despite his recent homophobic remarks. Also, honorary winner Bill Cosby praised his friend, former baseball player Joe Black, in a speech that caught the entire audience by surprise. Cosby’s touching tribute to the former Greyhound executive who passed away in 2002, was moving nonetheless.

Many of the winners mirrored choices made at the Academy Awards. Both Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland) and Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls) took home top acting prizes. Honorary awards were presented to U2 frontman Bono, CNN News Anchor Soledad O’Brien and Cosby.

India.Arie gave a soulful tribute to O’Brien, while The Roots saluted Bono. Bono’s fiery acceptance speech from the Image Awards pulpit was the evening’s highlight. He recently entered into a partnership with the NAACP to help eradicate hunger and poverty in Africa.

NAACP Chairman Julian Bond and President Bruce Gordon closed the show, which would take on a more symbolic meaning with Gordon’s resignation after the show. Congratulations to the nation’s oldest civil rights organization for finally “getting it right” on awards night.


Below is a complete list of winners


MOVIES

Motion picture: The Pursuit of Happyness.
Actor in a motion picture: Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland.
Actress in a motion picture: Keke Palmer, Akeelah and the Bee.
Supporting actor in a motion picture: Djimon Hounsou, Blood Diamond.
Supporting actress in a motion picture: Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls.
Independent or Foreign Film: "An Inconvenient Truth."
Director of motion picture, television movie: Spike Lee, The Inside Man.
Writing for motion picture, television movie: Doug Atchison, Akeelah and
the Bee.

TELEVISION

Comedy series: "Ugly Betty"
Director of comedy series: "Kenneth Whittingham, "The Office."
Actor in a comedy series: Tyler James Williams, "Everybody Hates Chris."
Actress in a comedy series: Tracee Ellis Ross, "Girlfriends."
Supporting actor in a comedy series: Reggie Hayes, "Girlfriends"
Supporting actress in a comedy series: Vanessa Williams, "Ugly Betty"
Writing in comedy series: Silvio Horta, "Ugly Betty."
Drama Series: "Grey's Anatomy"
Director of drama series: Karen Gaviola, "The Whole Truth."
Actor in a drama series: Isaiah Washington. "Grey's Anatomy"
Actress in drama series: Kimberly Elise, "Close to Home."
Supporting actor in a drama series: Omar Epps, "House."
Supporting actress in a drama series: Chandra Wilson, "Grey's Anatomy"
Writing in drama series: Shonda Rhimes, "Grey's Anatomy," "It's the End of
the World."
TV movie, miniseries, or dramatic special: "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem
in Four Acts."
Actor in a TV movie, miniseries or dramatic special: Kadeem Hardison, "Life
is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story."
Actress in a TV movie, miniseries or dramatic special: Sophie Okonedo,
"Tsunami, The Aftermath."
Actor in a daytime drama series: Kristoff St. John, "The Young and the
Restless."
Actress in a daytime drama series: Tracy Ross, "Passions."
News, talk or information, series or special: Tavis Smiley, "Katrina--One
Year Later."
Reality: "American Idol."
Variety series or special: "An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Stevie Wonder."
Children's Program: "That's So Raven"
Outstanding Performance, Children's Program: Raven Symone. "That's So Raven"
MUSIC
New artist: Corinne Bailey Rae.
Male artist: Prince
Female artist: Mary J. Blige.
Duo or group: The Roots.
Jazz artist: Glady Knight.
Gospel artist, traditional or contemporary: Kirk Franklin.
Music vide Mary J. Blige, "Be Without You."
Song: "I Am Not My Hair," India.Arie.
Album: "Dreamgirls" (Soundtrack)

LITERATURE

Literary work, fiction: "Baby Brother's Blues," Pearl Cleage.
Literary work, nonfiction: "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the
American Dream," Barack Obama.
Debut author: "Letters to a Young Brother," Hill Harper.
Biography, autobiography: "The Pursuit of Happyness," Christ Gardner.
Instructional: "Mama Made The Difference," T.D. Jakes.
Poetry: "Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer," Maya Angelou.
Children: "Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom," Carole
Boston Weatherford.
Youth/teens: "Letters to a Young Brother," Hill Harper.

This feature also appeared on BET.com.