Michael B. Jordan Honored as Entertainer of the Year, Dedicates Award to Chadwick Boseman

Michael B. Jordan was named Entertainer of the Year at the 57th NAACP Image Awards on February 28, 2026, and used the occasion to pay tribute to his late Black Panther co-star, Chadwick Boseman. The ceremony, hosted by Deon Cole, celebrated Black excellence across film, television, streaming, music, literature, and podcasts, with awards presented in over 90 categories.

“Sinners” Dominates the Awards

Jordan’s recognition came alongside significant wins for the film Sinners, which led the awards with a total of 13 victories. He also received the Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture award for his performance in the film. Sinners secured wins in categories including outstanding motion picture, directing (Ryan Coogler), supporting actor (Delroy Lindo), supporting actress (Wunmi Mosaku), writing, cinematography, soundtrack, score, costume design, stunt ensemble, and ensemble cast.

A Personal Dedication

While accepting his award for Outstanding Actor, Jordan spoke about the meaning of the honor and dedicated the trophy to Boseman. “I was thinking about what ‘lead actor’ meant to me,” Jordan said onstage. “And honestly, I gotta dedicate this award to Chadwick Boseman.” He reflected on the brevity of life and the importance of cherishing time with loved ones, recalling the impact of Boseman’s presence and legacy. He added, “As my brother, our time on this planet is short.”

Reflecting on Boseman’s Influence

Jordan shared how Boseman shaped his approach to his work, noting that collaborators often asked themselves, “What would Chad do?” when facing creative decisions. This question served as a guiding principle on set, highlighting Boseman’s lasting influence. Jordan has frequently spoken about Boseman’s focus and integrity since his passing in 2020.

A Night of Celebration and Remembrance

The NAACP Image Awards also honored Viola Davis with the Chairman’s Award and inducted Salt-N-Pepa into the NAACP Hall of Fame. The ceremony balanced celebration with moments of reflection, particularly through the in-memoriam segment that prompted Jordan’s heartfelt dedication. Jordan expressed his gratitude to collaborators, the NAACP, and the audience, ultimately redirecting the night’s focus back to the memory of Chadwick Boseman.