NAACP Releases Statement Regarding the 90th Annual Academy Awards

The NAACP congratulates all of the Oscar nominees and winners. In particular, we want to acknowledge the positive characters of color that are increasingly being portrayed on the big screen. This has been a goal of the NAACP in its ongoing work with the Hollywood community.

This year, several Oscar nominees were also NAACP IMAGE AWARDS winners. For almost half a century, the NAACP IMAGE AWARDS has been the primary live telecast that specifically honors extraordinary performances by people of color in the arts - television, film, music and literature - as well as individuals and groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors.

Now, more than ever, the NAACP IMAGE AWARDS is being appreciated in the entertainment and arts communities for its recognition and showcasing of talent as a result of the NAACP's ongoing, collaborative work to increase diversity in those communities.

"The NAACP is delighted that so many of the Oscar nominees reflect the exceptional work of people of color," said Leon W. Russell, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors. "The importance of having and recognizing diversity both in front of and behind the camera can't be overstated. To have so many Oscar nominees who were also this year's Image Awards winners is a true testament to the work we've been doing. We also congratulate Image Awards winner Jordan Peele for being only the third person in Academy Awards history to be nominated for directing, writing, and producing in the same year, and for being the first black screenwriter to win an Oscar in the best original screenplay category. The entire motion pictures viewing public wins when the Academy recognizes the creative successes of all who work in this industry. The Academy's Winners are Our Winners Too."

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. Read more about the NAACP's work and our six "Game Changer" issue areas at NAACP.org.

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