The Super Bowl wasn’t the only big event last weekend. Empire took home five trophies at the NAACP Image Awards. The Fox hit series took home awards for Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series (Terrence Howard), Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series (Taraji P. Henson), Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (“Conqueror”), and Outstanding Song – Contemporary (“You’re So Beautiful”).
Henson’s acceptance speech was inspired by the lack of diversity in this year’s Oscar nominees. “We don’t need to ask for ask for acceptance from anyone,” she declared. “We are enough.”
Howard’s speech was equally inspirational. “We have a privilege as black human beings to do beautiful things in this world,” he said.
Other big TV winners of the night included the sitcom Black-ish and its stars Anthony Anderson and Tracie Ellis Ross. For movies, Michael B. Jordan won for his role in Creed and O’Shea Jackson, Jr. and Phylicia Rashad won for Straight Outta Compton. Musician John Legend was honored with the NAACP’s President’s Award.