Tuesday, February 17, 1998
Winning
AWARDS: The NAACP honors
African American artists at
the Annual Image Awards
By Stanley L. Johnson, Jr
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
The flashing of cameras. Plush limousines. And a conglomerate of
famous faces. In a star-studded, jam-packed, celebrity-filled
arena, the 29th Annual NAACP Image Awards took place on Saturday at
the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The Image Awards acknowledge the
significant contributions and talents of African Americans to
society, the silver screen, music and the entire entertainment
industry.
Pop music star Vanessa Williams and accomplished dancer and
actor Gregory Hines co-hosted the event and made the Image Awards
the place to be on Valentine’s Day.
The show opened up with a New Orleans-style carnival. Aaron
Neville of the Neville Brothers beautifully sang the late John
Lennon’s "Imagine" with contributions from The Fugees’ Wyclef
Jean.
The Awards were divided into two major categories: Entertainment
and Achievement. In the achievement area, the recipients were
selected based on achievements they have attained and the impact
they have had within the African American community and society in
general.
Though two separate categories, there is not always a distinct
line the between Entertainment and Achievement
Rhythm and Blues recording artist Erykah Badu, a multiple Image
Award winner, including Best New Artist, was surprised about her
award. Badu expressed that there are a lot of artists and inspiring
singers who are often overlooked because their styles are not
within the traditional canon of rhythm and blues.
"There are a lot of performers out there who are not
recognized," Badu said. "Therefore, I am accepting this award for
myself and them."
The NAACP Image Awards were developed as a direct result of the
racism and inequalities that African Americans endure in the
entertainment industry.
Despite the fact that African Americans have matriculated into
starring roles and have gained some respect and clout, many are
often overlooked at awards shows like the Oscars and The Golden
Globes. (With the exception of Cuba Gooding Jr, Oscar winner for
best supporting Actor in "Jerry Maguire," no other African American
received an Academy Award last year.)
When Whoopi Goldberg received an Oscar for her Performance in
"Ghost," she became only the second African American woman to win
an Oscar. In 1939, Hattie McDaniel was the first.
But the Academy may not be the only one to blame. The lack of
nominations and considerations may also be a result of the industry
and not just the award shows.
Erica Alexander, who stars as Maxine in "Living Single,"
captured the "Best Actress in a Comedy Award." Alexander expressed
that she was elated to receive the award, considering the stiff
competition she faced from Phylicia Rashad ("The Cosby Show") and
her costars Queen Latifah and Kim Coles.
"There are a lot of great African American performers out there
who are overlooked … there aren’t that many opportunities for
them to even be considered for awards and nominations because more
established actors are always considered for roles that are
Oscar-caliber," Alexander said. "I feel very honored to have won
this award. It means a lot to me."
Della Reese, a veteran actress who stars as Tess in the
critically acclaimed "Touched By An Angel," received the award for
"Best Actress in a Drama Series" and expressed great joy and
respect for the NAACP.
Reese also pointed out how important it is for African Americans
to continue breaking barriers in the entertainment industry. She
expressed that they need to invest in their history and make films
that are indicative of the African American experience in
America.
"We need to bring up some of our own writers and tell them about
how miraculous their ancestors have been in the entertainment
industry," Reese said. "We can no longer allow non-African
Americans to tell our stories."
While the veterans accepted their awards, the younger generation
was also honored for their achievements.
In the youth categories, 14-year-old Brandon Hammod, who plays
Gregory Hines’ son in "The Gregory Hines show," received the "Best
Youth in a Dramatic Film" award for his role in "Soul Food." Hammod
was ecstatic to have won the award and praised his competition.
"I didn’t think that I was going to win," Hammod said. "We were
all winners. I thank God and my family for being there for me and
helping me to stay grounded." Hammod’s confidence and warm demeanor
was definitely one of the highlights of the evening.
Another highlight of the evening was the comedy provided by
Steve Harvey. Harvey ("The Steve Harvey Show" and host of "It’s
Showtime At the Apollo") entertained the audience with an Isley
Brother’s-inspired "Name that Tune." Randomly picking celebrities
to name the tune, Harvey would delight the crowd with jokes that
brought the audience to their feet.
Toward the latter part of the evening, the Image Awards bestowed
special awards to distinguished African Americans. The "Hall of
Fame Awards" were designed to recognize those persons who have
pioneered in their respective fields and whose work exemplifies
high artistic ability, professionalism and public service over
their careers. The two phenomenal African American musical acts who
were inducted were The Isley Brothers and Nancy Wilson.
Over the last four decades, The Isley Brothers have had a series
of successful albums, with each album either going gold or
platinum. They won the Grammy for their hit song, "It’s Your Thing"
in 1967.
Bruins will probably remember The Isley Brothers for their
classic Rock and Roll version of "Shout." (Remember that catchy
tune "You know you make me wanna shout … throw my feet up and
shout?)
"We feel really honored to have been inducted into the NAACP
Image Awards Hall of Fame," Ronald Isley said.
Like the Isley Brothers, Nancy Wilson, who is primarily a jazz
singer, has been singing for over four decades as well. Wilson is
one of the few remaining legends of America’s "golden age of song"
(From the era of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington,
and Peggy Lee).
Wilson has a record of successes that include a Grammy for her
hit song, "How Glad I Am." She also won an Emmy for her television
show "The Nancy Wilson Show" in 1967.
"This is truly an honor," Wilson said. "I am thankful that my
husband and children allow me to do what I do. They are the ones
who allow me to present my art to you."
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds received the most coveted prize of
the night, "The Entertainer of the Year Award." Edmonds, who holds
the record for the most Grammy nominations in a single year, as
well as other prestigious accolades, said that this award was "very
special to him." Edmonds also walked away with the "Album of the
Year" award for the soundtrack from "Soul Food," (featuring Puff
Daddy, Total, Lil’ Kim, Missy "Misdemeanor" Eliot, En Vogue, Usher,
Monica, Boyz II Men, and others) a film which he also produced.
Marian Wright Edelman, president of the Children’s Defense Fund
(CDF) received the "Chairman’s Award" and The Honorable Alexis M.
Herman, U.S. Secretary of Labor, received the "Presidents Award"
for furthering the cause of civil rights, freedom, public service
and justice.
Notable African Americans authors were also honored. Nikki
Giovanni garnered the "Outstanding Literary Work for Fiction" award
for her work "Love Poems" while Maya Angelou’s "Even the Stars Look
Lonesome" won for non-fiction.
The NAACP Image Awards definitely served its purpose by
providing a space where African Americans were honored for their
contributions and achievements.
It was certainly a night to remember. The love and pride that
was exemplified by both the fans and the stars were incredible.
On the eve of the Academy Awards, the NAACP Image Awards should
be a reminder to the entire industry that this year there were
plenty of exceptional yet overlooked performances by African
Americans.
Photos by JAMIE SCANLON-JACOBS/Daily Bruin
Della Reese received the award for "Best Actress in a Drama
Series."
Brandon Hammod shows off his new award.