Critically-acclaimed film “The Great Debaters” received a huge lift when the NAACP announced it had been nominated for a leading eight Image Awards.  In addition to the nods for director and star Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker and screenwriter Robert Eisele, acting nominations also went to the Film’s three young stars—Jurnee Smollet, Nate Parker, and Denzel Whitaker.  “To celebrate, 17-year-old nominee Denzel Whitaker had lunch with Eisele at the Grill on the Alley in Beverly Hills after school let out that day,” according to reports.  Denzel wanted to meet Paramount’s Brad Grey, who was eating nearby, to ask him about Blu Ray DVDs.  Instead, the young star was startled when a middle-aged blond lady fan came over to introduce herself nothing untoward and praise his performance.  In more “Debaters” news the film form Oprah Winfrey’ Harpo Productions has been invited to Berlin Film Festival as a featured presentation.  In addition to its eight NAACP nods, the Weinstein Company/MGM film is also nominated for best drams at the Golden globes, which helped the film earn fourth-place spot in the open Oscar race for best picture form Wynn Las Vegas director of race and sports book operations Johnny Avello, according to the Hollywood Reporter.   

 

Actor Richard T. Jones, “Entertainment Tonight” host Kevin Frazier and “Girlfriends” creator Mara Brock Akil were on hand in Beverly Hills to announce nomination for the 30^th Annual NAACP Image Awards.  The NAACP hands out awards in forty-four categories and projects or individuals that promote diversity in the arts in television, recording, literature, and motion pictures.  The theme of the awards this year was “Stand Up and Be Counted.” During this crucial election year, the NAACP encourages everyone to be socially conscious and take a stand on critical human and civil rights issues.  The civil right organization is also going green this year, with plans to incorporate eco-friendly initiatives to reduce the Image Award’s carbon footprint and reduce the ceremonies impact on the world’s climate.  The NAACP also honored legendary musician Stevie Wonder with the prestigious Hall of Fame Award, which recognizes an individual who is a pioneer in his or her respective field and whose influence will shape the profession for generations to come. 

 

Check out the full list the the 39^th Annual NAACP Image Awards Winners:

 

Television Categories:

Outstanding Comedy Series

Tyler Perry’s–“House of Payne” (TBS)

 

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

LaVan Davids—“Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” (TBS)

 

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

America Ferrera—“Ugly Betty” (ABC)

 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Lance Gross—“Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” (TBS)

 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Vanessa L. Williams—“Ugly Betty” (ABC)

 

Outstanding Drama Series

“Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)

 

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Hill Harper—“CSI:NY” (CBS)

 

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

Regina Taylor—“The Unit” (CBS)

 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Omar Epps—“House” (FOX)

 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Chandra Wilson—“Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)

 

Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special

“Life Support” (HBO)

 

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special

Wendell Pierce—“Life Support” (HBO)

 

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special

Queen Latifah—“Life Support” (HBO)

 

Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series

Kristoff St. John—“The Young And The Restless” (CBS)

 

Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series

Christel Khalil—“The Young And The Restless” (CBS)

 

Outstanding News/Information—Series or Special

“In Conversation: The Senator Barack Obama Interview” (TVOne)

 

Outstanding Talk

“Tavis Smiley ‘Crisis in Darfur’” (PBS)

 

Outstanding Reality

“Run’s House 4” (MTV)

 

Outstanding Children’s Program

“That’s So Raven” (Disney Channel)

 

Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children’s Program

Raven Symone’—“That’s So Raven” (Disney Channel)

 

Recording Categories:

Outstanding New Artist

Jordin Sparks (Jive/Zomba)

 

Outstanding Male Artist

Chris Brown (Jive)

 

Outstanding Female Artist

Alicia Keys (J Records)

 

Outstanding Duo or Group

Eddie & Gerald Levert (Atlantic)

 

Outstanding Jazz Artist

Herbie Hancock (Verve)

 

Outstanding Gospel Artist

Kirk Franklin (Gospocentric)

 

Outstanding World Music Album

Angelique Kidjo—“Djin Djin” (Razor & Tie)

 

Outstanding Music Video

“Like You’ll Never See Me Again”—Alicia Keys (J Records)

 

Outstanding Song

“Like You’ll Never See Me Again”—Alicia Keys (J Records)

 

Outstanding Album

Alicia Keys—“As I Am” (J Records)

 

Motion Picture Categories:

Outstanding Actor in a Motions Picture

Denzel Washington—“The Great Debaters” (The Weinstein Co.)

 

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

Jurnee Smollett—“The Great Debaters” (The Weinstein Co.)

 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Denzel Whitaker—“The Great Debaters” (The Weinstein Co)

 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Janet Jackson—“Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married?”

 

Outstanding Motion Picture

“The Great Debaters” (The Weinstein Co.)

 

Outstanding Independent or Foreign Film

“Dirty Laundry” (Codeblack Entertainment)

 

Well, “Dirty Laundry” might not have won, but it was an honor for Maurice Jamal to have been nominated.  This talented brother worked and made it happen and did a great job as the director and writer.  Many of you know that yours truly was in the hilarious film as Cedric Tate the choir director.  It was a pleasure to have worked with Rockmond Dunbar, Loretta Devine, Jenifer Lewis, and Terri J. Vaughn in this amazing film that is a story of a young man that has to come to terms with his reality and be trust that his family is going to still love him no matter what happens.  If you have not seen this movie you must go out and get the DVD because it will make you laugh out loud. 

 

Writing Categories:

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

Ali LeRoi—“Everybody Hates Chris: Everybody Hates Guidance Counselor” (CW)

 

Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series

Shonda Rhimes and Krista Vernoff—“Grey’s Anatomy: A Change is Gonna Come” (ABC)

 

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Theatrical or Television)

Michael Genet and Rick Famuyiwa—“Talk To Me” (Focus Features)

 

Directing Categories:

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

Ken Whittingham—“The Office: Phyllis’ Wedding” (NBC)

 

Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series

Seith Mann—“Friday Night Lights: Are You Ready For Friday Night?” (NBC)

 

Outstanding directing in a Motion Picture (Theatrical or Television)

Kasi Lemmons—“Talk To Me” (Focus Features)

 

Literature Categories:

Outstanding Literary Work—Fiction

“Blonde Faith”—Walter Mosley (Little, Brown & Company)

 

Outstanding Literary Work—Non-Fiction

“Not on Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond”—Don Cheadle and John Prendergast (Hyperion)

 

Outstanding Literary Work—Debut Author

“The Women Who Raised Me: A Memoir”—Victoria Rowell (Harper Collins)

 

Outstanding Literary Work—Biography/Auto-Biography

“Obama: From Promise To Power”—David Mendell (Harper Collins/Amistad)

 

Outstanding Literary Work—Instructional

“The Covenant In Action”—Tavis Smiley (Smiley Books)

 

Outstanding Literary Work—Poetry

“Acolytes: Poems”—Nikki Giovanni (Harper Collins/William Morrow)

 

Outstanding Literary Work—Children

“Nothing but Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson”—Sue Stauffacher, Author; Greg Couch, Illustrator (Random House)

 

Outstanding Literary Work—Youth/Teens

“More Than Entertainers: An Inspirational Black Career Guide”—Charles B. Schooler, Author; Gary Young, Illustrator (Zenith Publishing)