Oprah, Prince, Obama among stars saluted at 36th NAACP Image Awards

Jet, April 11, 2005

The queen of daytime television, the U.S. Senate's rising star and one of music's reigning legends were among the big honorees at the recent 36th Annual NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles.

And the movie Ray added to its huge list of awards by netting four of the prestigious Image Awards, including outstanding motion picture at the star-studded ceremony held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown L.A.

The NAACP celebrated scores of America's most talented Black performers and artists, and talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, multitalented performer Prince and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama were recipients of special awards citing their outstanding contributions and achievements.

Winfrey, supervising producer and host of the top-rated, award-winning "The Oprah Winfrey Show," was inducted to the NAACP Hall of Fame. Her show has remained the No. 1 U.S. talk show for 18 consecutive seasons and is broadcast in 111 countries. As recipient of the Hall of Fame Award, she was cited for her philanthropy and consistent excellence serving as a "creative and innovative force" in the media.

An Oscar-winning composer, musician and performer, Prince, whose Musicology tour was the top money-making tour of 2004, was presented the Vanguard Award, which cited his more than 25-year entertainment career and groundbreaking work which has increased "our understanding and awareness of racial and social issues." He also was honored with the outstanding album award for Musicology.

Prince thrilled the black-tie crowd with an impromptu performance after he accepted his awards.

The Chairman's Award was conferred on Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), who is the only Black member of the U.S. Senate. The former civil rights attorney and Illinois state senator, who now sits on the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee, Veterans Affairs Committee and Foreign Relations Committee, was selected by NAACP National Board Chairman Julian Bond in recognition of his efforts in politics to "promote diversity and community involvement."

Obama told the crowd that there's more to politics than image and that this country still has serious problems with health care and education.

"There is an element of show business to politics," he said. "But, I think it's important to remind ourselves that what's at stake in our politics is more than just image."

Others recognized during the gala evening were Ray star Jamie Foxx. He was named best actor in a motion picture while co-stars Kerry Washington and Regina King were named outstanding actress and outstanding supporting actress respectively. The movie was named best picture as well.

"This has been an absolutely wonderful ride," said Foxx after accepting his award from screen legends Sidney Poitier and Diahann Carroll. He also thanked director Taylor Hackford for sticking to his guns and working on a film labeled a "black film."

Foxx was also honored as outstanding actor in a TV movie, mini-series or dramatic special for Redemption.

Comic actor Chris Tucker hosted the event and jokingly told the crowd that he was going to marry Ms. Winfrey. The theme of the evening was Created Equal.

Morgan Freeman was named best supporting actor for the boxing film Million Dollar Baby.

For the first time, the NAACP presented an award for outstanding independent or foreign film. The honor was bestowed on Woman Thou Art Loosed. Producer Reuben Cannon accepted the award. It was based on a novel by Bishop T.D. Jakes. The work was also named best literary work of fiction.

Alicia Keys took home a pair of awards for outstanding song and music video for If I Ain't Got You.

Other music winners were Usher, named outstanding male artist and "American Idol" winner Fantasia, selected as outstanding female artist. Kanye West was chosen as outstanding new artist for his album College Dropout.

Also in music, Destiny's Child was named outstanding duo or group for Destiny Fulfilled. Nancy Wilson was honored as outstanding jazz artist for RSVP: Rare Songs, Very Personal, while Ben Harper & The Blind Boys of Alabama took home outstanding gospel artist honors for There Will Be a Light.

In television, Taye Diggs was named outstanding actor in a dramatic series for "Kevin Hill" while Nia Long nabbed that honor for "Third Watch."

Bernie Mac was chosen as outstanding actor in a comedy for his self-titled series and Mo' Nique was selected as best actress in a comedy for "The Parkers."

Outstanding supporting actors in comedy series went to Reggie Hayes of "Girlfriends" and Camille Winbush for "The Bernie Mac Show." Outstanding supporting actors in drama series were Mekhi Phifer for "ER" and Khandi Alexander for "CSI: Miami."

Something the Lord Made, an HBO movie, was named outstanding TV movie, mini-series or dramatic special.

Lynn Whitfield was named outstanding actress in a TV movie, mini-series or dramatic special for Redemption.

Shemar Moore and Victoria Rowell were named outstanding daytime actor for their roles in "The Young & the Restless."

"Tavis Smiley" was honored as outstanding TV news, talk or information series or special.