Viola Davis to Receive Chairman’s Award at 57th NAACP Image Awards

Viola Davis, a celebrated figure in American entertainment, will be honored with the Chairman’s Award at the 57th NAACP Image Awards on February 28, 2026, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The awards ceremony will air live on BET and CBS at 8:00 PM ET according to the NAACP.

Recognizing Public Service and Impact

The Chairman’s Award acknowledges individuals who demonstrate excellence in public service and utilize their platforms to inspire meaningful change. Davis is being recognized for her distinguished career and lasting impact on both the entertainment industry and broader social justice issues as stated by the NAACP.

A Legacy of Awards and Recognition

Davis is already a nine-time NAACP Image Award winner, with accolades for her performances in “How to Obtain Away With Murder,” “Fences,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “The Woman King,” “Won’t Back Down,” and “The Help.” She also received an Image Award for her 2022 memoir, “Finding Me” as reported by Altadena Now. She was also recently honored with the Golden Globes’ lifetime Cecile B. DeMille Award last year.

Past Honorees

Davis joins a prestigious group of past Chairman’s Award recipients, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Amanda Gorman, Samuel L. Jackson, the late Congressman John Lewis, Ruby Dee, Danny Glover, Tyler Perry, and former President Barack Obama as noted in the NAACP press release.

Additional NAACP Image Award Nominations

In addition to receiving the Chairman’s Award, Davis is also nominated for a NAACP Image Award for her role in “G20” according to EURweb. The 57th NAACP Image Awards are led in nominations by “Sinners,” with 16 nods. Teyana Taylor and Kendrick Lamar each have six nominations, and are contenders for the Entertainer of the Year prize alongside Michael B. Jordan, Doechii, and Cynthia Erivo as reported by EURweb.