Wayans family, Kamala Harris honored at NAACP Image Awards

Former Vice President Kamala Harris gave a sobering speech Saturday at the NAACP Image Awards in her first major public appearance since she left office following her election loss to President Donald Trump.

Harris, who received the prestigious Chairman’s prize at the annual awards ceremony, called the civil rights organization a pillar of the Black community and urged people to stay resilient and hold onto their faith during Trump’s tenure. 

The 56th annual Image Awards was held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in the Los Angeles area.

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Harris speaks at NAACP Image Awards

What they're saying:

 "While we have no illusions about what we are up against in this chapter in our American story, this chapter will be written not simply by whoever occupies the oval office nor by the wealthiest among us," Harris said after receiving the NAACP’s Chairman's Award. "The American story will be written by you. Written by us. By we the people."

Harris, defeated by Trump in last year’s presidential election, was the first woman and the first person of color to serve as vice president. She had previously been a U.S. senator from California and the state’s attorney general.

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Harris didn’t mention her election loss or Trump’s actions since entering the Oval Office, despite Trump mocking her earlier Saturday at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

"Some see the flames on our horizons, the rising waters in our cities, the shadows gathering over our democracy and ask ‘What do we do now?’" Harris said. "But we know exactly what to do, because we have done it before. And we will do it again. We use our power. We organize, mobilize. We educate. We advocate. Our power has never come from having an easy path."

Other winners of the Chairman’s prize have included former President Barack Obama, the late Rep. John Lewis and the late actor Ruby Dee.

Wayans family inducted into NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame

The Wayans family was inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame in recognition of pioneering contributions to film, TV, sketch and stand-up comedy that have shaped Hollywood for decades.

Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans Sr., Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Kim Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. each were recognized.

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Marlon Wayans, whose guest appearance on Peacock’s "Bel-Air" was up for an NAACP award, shared how Keenen Ivory Wayans sparked the family’s rise.

Craig Wayans, Damon Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr., winners of the NAACP Awards Hall of Fame award, pose in the press room during the 56th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Phot

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"He raised us all like Jedis," he said. "We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for our big brother."

Marlon Wayans joked that when his brother told their mom he was leaving college for comedy, she said, "Boy, I’ve known you your whole life, and you ain’t never said nothing funny. That’s the funniest thing you’ve said."

The backstory:

The family has a long list of credits. Keenen Ivory Wayans created the sketch comedy series "In Living Color" in 1990 and directed the 2000 slasher spoof "Scary Movie," which was written by Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans, who also wrote and starred in "White Chicks" in 2004. Damon Wayan's had a starring role in the 1995 comedy "Major Payne," and currently co-stars with son Damon Wayans Jr. in the CBS sitcom "Poppa’s House," which was nominated for an NAACP Award. The pair also were nominated for their acting on the show.

Damon Wayans Jr. has acted in two of the most critically acclaimed comedies in recent years: "Happy Endings" and "New Girl." Kim Wayans, a comedian, actor and director, also received praise for her work in the 2011 drama "Pariah."

Keke Palmer was also recognized as entertainer of the year. Other nominees included Kendrick Lamar, Kevin Hart and Shannon Sharpe.