The 45th NAACP Image Awards is airing Saturday night, Feb. 22, at 9/8c on TV One, and its red carpet coverage begins at 8/7c.
The Host for 2014 Image Awards ceremony is Anthony Anderson and presenters include Lupita Nyong'o, Idris Elba, Tyler Perry, Michael Ealy, Tony Goldwyn, Arsenio Hall, Regina Hall, Archie Panjabi, Dennis Haysbert, Rickey Smiley, Nicole Beharie, Lou Gossett Jr., Vin Diesel, Terry Crews, Nia Long, Naomie Harris, Morris Chestnut, Chadwick Boseman, Tyrese Gibson, Ed Asner, and Ben Vereen.
Oprah Winfrey will honor Nelson Mandela with a special tribute, and Stevie Wonder will perform.
NAACP members will vote on the nominations and announce the winners on Friday, Feb. 21, during the Awards Ceremony for non-televised categories. The remaining categories will be announced live during the star-studded telecast on the following night.
This year's NAACP Image Awards nominees are David Oyelowo ("Lee Daniels' 'The Butler'"), Joe Morton (ABC's "Scandal"), Keke Palmer (VH1's "CrazySexyCool"), Bresha Webb (TV One's "Love That Girl") and Gina Torres (USA's "Suits").
"This has been an incredible year from the artistic community, with phenomenal contributions across the board from the music, television, motion picture, and literature genres that have the power and impact to drive social change," stated Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the NAACP, according to TV One.
The NAACP Image Awards 2014 are categorized according to television, recording, literature, motion picture, documentary, writing and directing. A total of 54 awards will be handed to the winners under each category.
Under the Motion Picture category, the nominations for Outstanding Actress are Angela Bassett for her role in "Black Nativity," Halle Berry for "The Call," Jennifer Hudson for "Black Nativity," Kerry Washington for "Tyler Perry Presents the Peeples," and Nicole Beharie for "42."
Meanwhile, the nominations for Outstanding Actor are Chadwick Boseman for "42," Michael B. Jordan for "Fruitvale Station," Chiwetel Ejiofor for "12 Years a Slave," Forest Whitaker for "Black Nativity" and Idris Elba for "Mandela: Slow Walk to Freedom."
Under the Television category, the Outstanding Drama Series nominations include "Boardwalk Empire" (HBO), "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC), "Scandal" (ABC), "The Good Wife" (CBS), and "Treme" (HBO).
The Outstanding Talk Series include "Oprah's Lifeclass" (OWN), "Oprah's Next Chapter" (OWN), "Steve Harvey" (Syndicated), "The Arsenio Hall Show" (Syndicated), and "The Queen Latifah Show" (Syndicated).
For the Recording category, the Outstanding Male Artist nominations include Bruno Mars, Charlie Wilson, John Legend, Justin Timberlak, Robin Thicke; the Outstanding Female Artist include Beyonce, India Arie, Janelle Monae, Ledisi, and Mary J Blige.
Among the 54 categories, The Outstanding Gospel Album will award one of the top five Gospel greats nominated this year, including "20 Year Celebration Volume 1 - Best for Last" by Donald Lawrence, "Azusa: The Next Generation" by Hezekiah Walker, "Best Days Deluxe Edition" by Tamela Mann, "Good God" by Shirley Caesar, and "Music From the Motion Picture Black Nativity" by various artists.
Meanwhile, the NAACP announced Academy Award-winning actor, producer, director and 2014 Image Award nominee, Forest Whitaker is set to receive the NAACP Chairman's Award during the Image Awards on Saturday.
The Chairman's Award, chosen by Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors, Roslyn M. Brock, is bestowed in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service. Past honorees include United States Navy Vice Admiral Michelle Howard, Radio One Founder and Chairperson Cathy Hughes, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, Tyler Perry, Former Vice President Al Gore and Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai, Aretha Franklin, Bono, then-Senator Barack Obama, The Dave Matthews Band, and Danny Glover.
The full list of NAACP Image Awards nominations can be found here and the event will be available for viewing online after the ceremony.
