The 46^th Annual NAACP Image Awards aired on Friday February 6^th on TV One. If I had to describe this awards show is one phrase, I’d have to say “it was one of the best award shows I’ve ever seen!”  All of the important award show elements were represented and represented flawlessly.

The underlying theme of this year’s award show season is the lack of diversity in the nominations and it was immediately addressed in host Anthony Anderson’s hilarious opening rap song performance.  My favorite lyric from the song was “Forget the Oscars Hallelujah, Forget the Emmy’s Hallelujah, Forget the Globes Hallelujah…because we got our own!”  Yes we do!

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Here’s our top awards recap from the ceremony…

• Outstanding Actor in A Comedy Series ~ Anthony Anderson (black-ish)
• Outstanding Actress in A Comedy Series – Tracey Ellis Ross (black-ish)
• Outstanding Comedy Series – black-ish
• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Joe Morton (Scandal)
• Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series – Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder)
• Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series – Shemar Moore (Criminal Minds)
• Outstanding Drama Series – How To Get Away with Murder
• Outstanding Actress in Motion Picture – Taraji P. Henson (No Good Deed)
• Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture – David Oyelowo (Selma)
• Outstanding Motion Picture – Selma

Special awards of the night included the Chairman’s Award, which was awarded to Attorney General Eric Holder and the President’s Award was given to director Spike Lee for his incredible body of work.  Russell Simmons awarded the Vanguard Award to legendary music producer Clive Davis who shared with us his newest music sensation Avery Wilson.  19 year old Avery Wilson gave an excellent performance of the Donny Hathaway classic “A Song for You.”

They most anticipated award of the night was of course saved for last. The ‘Entertainer of the Year’ award was given by none other than Oprah Winfrey and the image award went to Taraji P. Henson.

Actor Laurence Fishburne summed up the evening best when he said, “If we don’t recognize ourselves in the industry, we can’t expect others to!”  The 46^th Annual NAACP Image Awards was a great awards show.  This show was a fabulous celebration of us in all areas of entertainment.  We don’t need the other award shows because we have our own.

Check your local listings for replays and click here to see the winner’s circle gallery of photos.