February 13, 2019
by Carla Hay
With 13 nominations, the blockbuster superhero film “Black Panther” is the leading contender for the 50th annual NAACP Image Awards, which will be presented at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 30, 2019. TV One will have the live telecast of the ceremony. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People produces the awards, which are give to those are outstanding representations for people of color in entertainment. Eligible nominations are for entertainment that was released or premiered in 2018.
The nominations for “Black Panther” include Outstanding Motion Picture, a category whose other nominees are “BlacKkKlansman,” “Crazy Rich Asians,” “If Beale Street Could Talk” and “The Hate U Give.” In addition, “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman and “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler are nominated for Entertainer of the Year, along with Beyoncé, LeBron James and Regina King.
In the TV categories, the sitcom “Black-ish” earned the most nominations (nine), including Outstanding Comedy Series. The other Outstanding Comedy Series nominees are “Atlanta,” “Dear White People,” “Grown-ish” and “Insecure.” The nominees for Outstanding Drama Series are “How to Get Away With Murder,” “Power,” “Queen Sugar,” “The Chi” and “This Is Us.”
Viola Davis, Michael B. Jordan, Regina King and Russell Hornsby earned nominations in the movie and TV categories. Davis is nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for “Widows” and Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for “How to Get Away With Murder.” Jordan is a contender for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for “Creed II”; Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for “Black Panther”; and Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special for “Fahrenheit 451.” King is up for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (for “If Beale Street Could Talk”) and Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special (for “Seven Seconds”). Hornsby is nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (for “The Hate U Give”) and Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special (for “Seven Seconds”).
“Atlanta” star/showrunner Donald Glover, whose musical alter ego is Childish Gambino, also received nominations in multiple fields. In the TV categories, he earned two nods for “Atlanta.” In the music/recording categories he has three nods: Childish Gambino is a contender for Outstanding Male Artist, while “This Is America” is nominated for Outstanding Song – Contemporary and Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album.
The NAACP Image Awards tend to have nominees who are predominately black, compared to other non-Caucasian races. The Spanish-language film “Roma,” which has been winning major prizes at other award shows, was noticeably snubbed from this year’s nominations, and Latinos had very little representation in the list of NAACP Image Award nominees, but that’s probably because the NAACP Image Awards might not want to have too much overlap of the ALMA Awards, which is a similar award show specifically for Latino entertainers. The only Latino entertainers who received NAACP Image Awards in 2019 are music artists Bruno Mars and Cardi B, whose collaboration on Mars’ “Finesse” remix earned three nominations, while Mars is up for Outstanding Male Artist.
Meanwhile, Asians were represented with four nominations for “Crazy Rich Asians,” as well as nods for “Atlanta” director Hiro Murai, “Better Call Saul” director Deborah Ann Chow and “Fahrenheit 451” director Ramin Bahrani, who is of Middle-Eastern descent. Tori Kelly is one of the few white entertainers who have been nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Her gospel album “Hiding Place” has resulted in two NAACP Image Award nominations for her this year. (She also won two Grammy Awards this year for her music from the album.)
Rep. Maxine Waters will receive the NAACP Chairman’s Award, given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding public service and a commitment to social change.
UPDATE: Anthony Anderson will host the 2019 NAACP Image Awards, which will be the sixth consecutive year that he is the show’s host.
TV One also announced in a press release:
“In addition to the live telecast, TV One will air the ’50th NAACP Image Awards: Tribute Special,’ sponsored by Toyota, immediately preceding the show at 8pm ET/7C. The tribute special honors this year’s nominees, past winners and significant moments. Hosted by Urban One Founder and Chairperson Cathy Hughes, the special features in-depth one-on-one conversations with director/actress Salli Richardson-Whitfield, singer/actor John Legend, actor Stephan James, actress Loretta Devine, music industry legend Clarence Avant, soul singer Kenny Lattimore, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters. The network will provide promotional support for both programs on TV One, Radio One and Reach Media, Interactive One, and via a multi-platform marketing campaign.”
Here is the complete list of nominations for the NAACP Image Awards:
SPECIAL AWARD
Entertainer of the Year
Beyoncé
Chadwick Boseman
LeBron James
Regina King
Ryan Coogler
MOTION PICTURE
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Chadwick Boseman – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Michael B. Jordan – Creed II (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios)
Denzel Washington – The Equalizer 2 (Columbia Pictures)
John David Washington – BlacKkKlansman (Focus Features)
Stephan James – If Beale Street Could Talk (Annapurna Pictures)
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Amandla Stenberg – The Hate U Give (20th Century Fox)
Constance Wu – Crazy Rich Asians (Warner Bros. Pictures)
KiKi Layne – If Beale Street Could Talk (Annapurna Pictures)
Sanaa Lathan – Nappily Ever After (Marc Platt Production/Badabing Pictures Production for Netflix)
Viola Davis – Widows (20th Century Fox)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Brian Tyree Henry – If Beale Street Could Talk (Annapurna Pictures)
Mahershala Ali – Green Book (Universal Pictures, Participant Media, DreamWorks)
Michael B. Jordan – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Russell Hornsby – The Hate U Give (20th Century Fox)
Winston Duke – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Danai Gurira – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Letitia Wright – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Lupita Nyong’o – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Regina Hall – The Hate U Give (20th Century Fox)
Regina King – If Beale Street Could Talk (Annapurna Pictures)
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
BlacKkKlansman (Focus Features)
If Beale Street Could Talk (Annapurna Pictures)
Nappily Ever After (Marc Platt Production/Badabing Pictures Production for Netflix)
Sorry to Bother You (Annapurna Pictures)
Traffik (Codeblack Films/Lionsgate Entertainment)
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture
Storm Reid – A Wrinkle in Time (Walt Disney Studios)
Letitia Wright – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Winston Duke – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
John David Washington – BlacKkKlansman (Focus Features)
KiKi Layne – If Beale Street Could Talk (Annapurna Pictures)
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
BlacKkKlansman (Focus Features)
Crazy Rich Asians (Warner Bros. Pictures)
The Hate U Give (20th Century Fox)
Widows (20th Century Fox)
Outstanding Motion Picture
Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
BlacKkKlansman (Focus Features)
Crazy Rich Asians (Warner Bros. Pictures)
If Beale Street Could Talk (Annapurna Pictures)
The Hate U Give (20th Century Fox)
TELEVISION
Outstanding Comedy Series
Atlanta (FX Networks)
Black-ish (ABC)
Dear White People (Netflix)
Grown-ish (Freeform)
Insecure (HBO)
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson, Black-ish (ABC)
Cedric the Entertainer, The Neighborhood (CBS)
Donald Glover, Atlanta (FX Networks)
Dwayne Johnson, Ballers (HBO)
Tracy Morgan, The Last O.G. (TBS)
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Danielle Brooks, Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)
Issa Rae, Insecure (HBO)
Logan Browning, Dear White People (Netflix)
Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish (ABC)
Yara Shahidi, Grown-ish (Freeform)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Jay Ellis, Insecure (HBO)
John David Washington, Ballers (HBO)
Laurence Fishburne, Black-ish (ABC)
Marcus Scribner, Black-ish (ABC)
Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Essence Atkins, Marlon (NBC)
Marsai Martin, Black-ish (ABC)
Natasha Rothwell, Insecure (HBO)
Uzo Aduba, Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)
Yvonne Orji, Insecure (HBO)
Outstanding Drama Series
How to Get Away With Murder (ABC)
Power (Starz)
Queen Sugar (OWN)
The Chi (Showtime)
This Is Us (NBC)
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Jason Mitchell, The Chi (Showtime)
Keith David, Greenleaf (OWN)
Kofi Siriboe, Queen Sugar (OWN)
Omari Hardwick, Power (Starz)
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us (NBC)
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Alfre Woodard, Marvel’s Luke Cage (Netflix)
Naturi Naughton, Power (Starz)
Rutina Wesley, Queen Sugar (OWN)
Taraji P. Henson, Empire (FOX)
Viola Davis, How to Get Away with Murder (ABC)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Jesse Williams, Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)
Joe Morton, Scandal (ABC)
Jussie Smollett, Empire (FOX)
Romany Malco, A Million Little Things (ABC)
Wendell Pierce, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (Prime Video)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
CCH Pounder, NCIS: New Orleans (CBS)
Lynn Whitfield, Greenleaf (OWN)
Sanaa Lathan, The Affair (Showtime)
Susan Kelechi Watson, This Is Us (NBC)
Thandie Newton, Westworld (HBO)
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy or Drama Series
Erika Alexander – Black Lightning – Book of Consequences: Chapter Three: Master Lowery (CW)
Kendrick Lamar – Power – Happy Birthday (Starz)
Kerry Washington – How to Get Away With Murder – Lahey v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (ABC)
Loretta Devine – Love Is – Rose (Going Home) (OWN)
Tisha Campbell-Martin – Empire – Without Apology (Fox)
Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Behind the Movement (TV One)
Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (NBC)
Seven Seconds (Netflix)
The Bobby Brown Story (BET)
The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar (Lifetime)
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Brandon Victor Dixon, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (NBC)
John Legend, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (NBC)
Michael B. Jordan, Fahrenheit 451 (HBO)
Russell Hornsby, Seven Seconds (Netflix)
Woody McClain, The Bobby Brown Story (BET)
Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Anna Deavere Smith, Notes From the Field (HBO)
Gabrielle Dennis, The Bobby Brown Story (BET)
Jeanté Godlock, The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar (Lifetime)
Regina King, Seven Seconds (Netflix)
Toni Braxton, Faith Under Fire: The Antoinette Tuff Story (Lifetime)
Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)
A Thousand Words With Michelle Obama (BET)
AM Joy (MSNBC)
Angela Rye’s State of the Union (BET)
Oprah Winfrey Presents: Becoming Michelle Obama (OWN)
Unsung (TV One)
Outstanding Talk Series
ESPN’s First Take (ESPN)
Red Table Talk (Facebook Watch)
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)
The Real (Syndicated)
The View (ABC)
Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series)
Iyanla: Fix My Life (OWN)
Lip Sync Battle (Paramount Network)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1)
Shark Tank (ABC)
The Voice (NBC)
Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)
2 Dope Queens (HBO)
Black Girls Rock! (BET)
Bruno Mars: 24K Magic Live at the Apollo (CBS)
Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Trevor Noah: Son of Patricia (Netflix)
Outstanding Children’s Program
Doc McStuffins (Disney Junior)
Marvel’s Avengers: Black Panther’s Quest (Disney XD)
Motown Magic (Netflix)
Sesame Street (HBO)
Top Chef Junior (Universal Kids)
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series)
Alex R. Hibbert – The Chi (Showtime)
Lonnie Chavis -This Is Us (NBC)
Lyric Ross – This Is Us (NBC)
Marsai Martin – Black-ish (ABC)
Miles Brown – Black-ish (ABC)
Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
Jada Pinkett Smith, Adrienne Banfield Norris, Willow Smith – Red Table Talk (Facebook Watch)
Joy Reid – AM Joy (MSNBC)
LeBron James – The Shop (HBO)
Lester Holt – NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (NBC)
Trevor Noah – The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)
Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
Iyanla Vanzant – Iyanla: Fix My Life (OWN)
LL Cool J – Lip Sync Battle (Paramount Network)
Queen Latifah – Black Girls Rock (BET)
RuPaul – RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1)
Steve Harvey – Family Feud (Syndication)
DOCUMENTARY
Outstanding Documentary (Film)
Amazing Grace (Sundial Pictures/Neon)
Making The Five Heartbeats (Green Lighthouse)
Quincy (Netflix)
RBG (CNN)
Whitney (Roadside Attractions/Miramax)
Outstanding Documentary (Television)
Hope & Fury: MLK, The Movement and the Media (NBC)
King in the Wilderness (HBO)
Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland (HBO)
Shut Up & Dribble (Showtime)
Time For Ilhan (Fuse)
WRITING
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Justin Simien – Dear White People – Chapter 1 (Netflix)
Marquita J. Robinson – GLOW – Work the Leg (Netflix)
Peter H. Saji – Black-ish – Purple Rain (ABC)
Regina Y. Hicks – Insecure – High-Like (HBO)
Trevor Noah , Steve Budow, David Kibuuka, Zhubin Parang, Dan Amira, Lauren Sarver Means, Mr. Daniel Radosh, David Angelo, Devin Trey Delliquanti, Zachary DiLanzo – The Daily Show with Trevor Noah – 23087 Alex Wagner (Comedy Central)
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
Janine Sherman Barrois – Claws – Cracker Casserole (TNT)
Kay Oyegun – This Is Us – This Big, Amazing, Beautiful Life (NBC)
Lena Waithe – The Chi – Pilot (Showtime)
Patrick Joseph Charles – Black Lightning – Sins of the Father: The Book of Redemption (The CW/Netflix)
Lena Waithe, Dime Davis, – The Chi – The Whistle (Showtime)
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Television)
Anna Deavere Smith – Notes From the Field (HBO)
J. David Shanks – Seven Seconds: Matters of Life and Death (Netflix)
Katrina M. O’Gilvie – Behind the Movement (TV One)
Ramin Bahrani, Amir Naderi – Fahrenheit 451 (HBO)
Shalisha Francis – Seven Seconds: Of Gods and Men (Netflix)
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Film)
Barry Jenkins – If Beale Street Could Talk (Annapurna Pictures)
Boots Riley – Sorry To Bother You (Annapurna Pictures)
Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Kevin Willmott, Spike Lee – BlacKkKlansman (Focus Features)
Peter Chiarelli, Adele Lim – Crazy Rich Asians (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
DIRECTING
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
Donald Glover – Atlanta – FUBU (FX Networks)
Gina Rodriguez – Jane the Virgin – Chapter Seventy-Four (CW)
Hiro Murai – Atlanta – Teddy Perkins (FX Networks)
Ken Whittingham – Atypical – “Ernest Shackleton’s Rules for Survival” (Netflix)
Millicent Shelton – Insecure – High-Like (HBO)
Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series
Ayoka Chenzira – Queen Sugar – Here Beside the River (OWN)
Deborah Ann Chow – Better Call Saul – Something Stupid (AMC)
Dee Rees – Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams – Kill All Others (Prime Video)
Salli Richardson-Whitfield – Marvel’s Luke Cage – I Get Physical (Netflix)
Zetna Fuentes – How to Get Away With Murder – Lahey v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (ABC)
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Television)
Ernest Dickerson – Seven Seconds: Until It Do (Netflix)
Ramin Bahrani – Fahrenheit 451 (HBO)
Tanya Hamilton – Seven Seconds: That What Follows (Netflix)
Tracy Heather Strai – Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart (PBS)
Victoria Mahoney – Seven Seconds: Witness for the Prosecution (Netflix)
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Film)
Barry Jenkins – If Beale Street Could Talk (Annapurna Pictures)
Spike Lee – BlacKkKlansman (Focus Features)
Steve McQueen – Widows (20th Century Fox)
Ryan Coogler – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Alan Hicks, Rashida Jones – Quincy (A Le Train Train\Bob’s Your Uncle\Tribeca Production for Netflix)
ANIMATED/CGI
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Film)
Issa Rae – Bojack Horseman (Netflix)
Laya Deleon Hayes – Doc McStuffins (Disney Junior)
Mahershala Ali – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Animation in association with Marvel)
Samuel L. Jackson – Incredibles 2 (Disney and Pixar Animation Studios)
Shameik Moore – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Animation in association with Marvel)
RECORDING
Outstanding New Artist
Ella Mai (10 Summers/Interscope Records)
Jade Novah (EMPIRE)
Koryn Hawthorne (RCA Inspiration)
Omar Wilson (BSE Recordings)
Tory Lanez (Mad Love/Interscope Records)
Outstanding Male Artist
Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records)
Childish Gambino (RCA Records)
John Legend (Columbia Records)
MAJOR. (BOE/Empire)
Raheem DeVaughn (BMG)
Outstanding Female Artist
Andra Day (Warner Bros. Records)
Ella Mai (10 Summers/Interscope Records)
H.E.R. (RCA Records)
Janelle Monáe (Atlantic Records)
Janet Jackson (Rhythm Nation)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration
“A Good Night” – John Legend featuring BloodPop (Columbia Records)
“All the Stars” – Black Panther – Kendrick Lamar, SZA (Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope Records)
“Could’ve Been” – H.E.R., Bryson Tiller (RCA Records)
“Finesse (Remix)” – Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B (Atlantic Records)
“Everything Is Love” – The Carters (Roc Nation)
Outstanding Jazz Album
Facing Dragons – Christian Sands (Mack Avenue)
Hollywood Africans – Jon Batiste (Verve)
RISE! – Ben Tankard feat. Marion Meadows, Kirk Whalum, Paul Jackson Jr. (Ben-Jamin’ Universal Music)
The Story of Jaz – Jazmin Ghent feat. Jeff Lorber, James P. Lloyd, Kim Scott, Philippe Saisse (Jazmin Ghent Music)
Waiting for the Sunrise – Camille Thurman (Chesky Records)
Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary)
Heart. Passion. Pursuit. Live at Passion City Church – Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Motown Gospel)
Hiding Place – Tori Kelly (Capitol Records)
Make Room – Jonathan McReynolds (Entertainment One)
One Nation Under God – Jekalyn Carr (LMG)
Unstoppable – Koryn Hawthorne (RCA Inspirational)
Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album
Apes**t – The Carters (Roc Nation)
Could’ve Been – H.E.R. feat. Bryson Tiller (RCA Records)
Finesse (Remix) – Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B (Atlantic Records)
This Is America – Childish Gambino (RCA Records)
All the Stars – Kendrick Lamar, SZA (Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope Records)
Outstanding Song – Traditional
“Amen” – Andra Day (Warner Bros. Records)
“Better With You In It” – MAJOR. (BOE/Empire)
“Beyond” – Leon Bridges (Columbia Records)
“Long as I Live” – Toni Braxton (Def Jam Recordings)
“Never Alone” – Tori Kelly featuring Kirk Franklin (Capitol Records)
Outstanding Song – Contemporary
“A Good Night” – John Legend featuring BloodPop (Columbia Records)
“As I Am” – H.E.R. (RCA Records)
“Boo’d Up” – Ella Mai (10 Summers/Interscope Records)
“Finesse (Remix)” – Bruno Mars feat. Cardi B (Atlantic Records)
“This Is America” – Childish Gambino (RCA Records)
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation
“Black Panther The Album: Music From and Inspired By” – Kendrick Lamar, SZA featuring 2Chainz, ScHoolboy Q, Saudi, Khalid, Swae Lee, Vince Staples, Yugen Blakrok, SOB x RBE, Jorja Smith, Anderson Paak, Ab Soul, Reason, Zacari, Babes Wudumo, Sjava, Travis Scott (Interscope Records)
“Greenleaf, Season 3 (Music from the Original TV series)” – Various Artists (Lions Gate Entertainment)
“Marvel’s Luke Cage Season Two” – Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad (Mondo Music)
“Insecure – Music From the HBO Original Series, Season 3” – Various Artists (RCA Records)
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Soundtrack From & Inspired by the Motion Picture” – Various Artists (Republic Records)
Outstanding Album
“Dirty Computer” – Janelle Monáe (Atlantic Records)
“Ella Mai” – Ella Mai (10 Summers/Interscope Records)
“Even More” – MAJOR. (BOE/Empire)
“Everything Is Love” – The Carters (Roc Nation)
“I Used to Know Her: The Prelude” – H.E.R. (RCA Records)
LITERARY
Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
“An American Marriage” – Tayari Jones (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill)
“Better Late Than Never” – Kimberla Lawson Roby (Grand Central Publishing)
“Black Panther: Who Is The Black Panther? Prose Novel” – Jesse James Holland Jr (Titan Books)
“Envy” – Victoria Christopher Murray (Touchstone)
“They Come in All Colors: A Novel” – Malcolm Hansen (Atria Books)
Outstanding Literary Work – Nonfiction
“Barracoon” – Zora Neale Hurston (Amistad HarperCollins Publishers)
“Black Girls Rock! Owning Our Magic. Rocking Our Truth” – Beverly Bond (37 Ink, A Division of Atria Books)
“For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics” – Donna Brazile (Author), Yolanda Caraway (Author), Leah Daughtry (Author), Minyon Moore (Author), Veronica Chambers (With), (St. Martin’s Press)
“May We Forever Stand: A History of the Black National Anthem” – Imani Perry (University of North Carolina Press)
“The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row” – Anthony Ray Hinton (Author), Lara Love Hardin (With), (St. Martin’s Press)
Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
“Heads of the Colored People: Stories” – Nafissa Thompson-Spires (37 Ink, A Division of Atria Books)
“Lighting the Fires of Freedom: African American Women in the Civil Rights Movement” – Janet Dewart Bell (The New Press)
“Lucile H. Bluford and the Kansas City Call: Activist Voice for Social Justice” – Dr. Sheila D. Brooks (Author), Clinton C. Wilson II (Author), (Rowman & Littlefield)
“Small Country: A Novel” – Gaël Faye (Hogarth)
“Us Against the World: Our Secrets to Love, Marriage, and Family” – David Mann (Author), Tamela Mann (Author), Shaun Saunders (With), (W Publishing)
Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography
“Barracoon” – Zora Neale Hurston (Amistad HarperCollins Publishers)
“Becoming” – Michelle Obama (Crown)
“The New Negro: The Life of Alain Locke” – Jeffrey C. Stewart (Oxford University Press)
“The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela” – Nelson Mandela (Author), Sahm Venter (Editor) (Liveright Publishing)
“Well, That Escalated Quickly: Memoirs and Mistakes of an Accidental Activist” – Franchesa Ramsey (Grand Central Publishing)
Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
“Carla Hall’s Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration” – Carla Hall (Author) Genevive Ko (With) (Harper Wave)
“For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics” – Donna Brazile (Author), Yolanda Caraway (Author), Leah Daughtry (Author), Minyon Moore (Author), Veronica Chambers (With), (St. Martin’s Press)
“Poised for Excellence: Fundamental Principles of Effective Leadership in the Boardroom and Beyond” – Karima Mariam-Arthur (Palgrave Macmillan)
“Rise and Grind: Outperform, Outwork, and Outhustle Your Way to a More Successful and Rewarding Life” – Daymond John (Author), Daniel Paisner (With), (Currency)
“Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves” – Glory Edim (Ballantine Books)
Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
“Confessions of a Barefaced Woman” – Allison Elaine Joseph (Red Hen Press)
“Ghost, Like a Place” – Iain Haley Pollock (Alice James Books)
“Refuse” – Julian Randall (University of Pittsburgh Press)
“Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart” – Alice Walker (Author) (37 Ink/Atria Books)
“The Gospel According to Wild Indigo” – Cyrus Cassells (Crab Orchard Review & Southern Illinois University Press)
Outstanding Literary Work – Children
Facing Frederick: The Life of Frederick Douglass, A Monumental American Man – Tonya Bolden (Abrams For Young Readers)
Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race – Margot Lee Shetterly (Author), Laura Freeman (Illustrator), (Harper)
I Can Be Anything! Don’t Tell Me I Can’t – Diane Dillon (The Blue Sky Press)
The 5 O’Clock Band – Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews (Author), Bryan Collier (Illustrator), (Abrams For Young Readers)
The Word Collector – Peter H. Reynolds (Orchard Books)
Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
“A Very Large Expanse of Sea” – Tahereh Mafi (Harper)
“Chasing King’s Killer: The Hunt for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Assassin” – James L. Swanson (Scholastic Press)
“Harbor Me” – Jacqueline Woodson (Nancy M. Paulsen)
“The Journey of Little Charlie” – Christopher Paul Curtis (Scholastic Press)
“We Are Not Yet Equal: Understanding our Racial Divide” – Carol Anderson (Author), Tonya Bolden (With), (Bloomsbury YA)