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Currently underway live from the Pasadena Civic Center, this year’s NAACP Image Awards is putting a spotlight on Altadena residents who have experienced devastating loss following the Los Angeles wildfires in early January.
“Homes were lost, stores destroyed, countless lives shattered and over two dozen souls gone forever, but what was not lost is the spirit of our community and our resilience, especially that of our brothers and sisters who live just a short distance from here in Altadena,” presenter Morris Chestnut said in his tribute.
The historically Black neighborhood houses generations of families, and was once home to renowned sci-fi writer Octavia E. Butler, whose Parable of the Sower has seen renewed popularity given its eerie prescience regarding Southern California’s recent natural disaster.
On stage, Chestnut introduced 22 Altadena residents who had lost their homes, prompting a standing ovation from the crowd of attendees.
“It is in times like these that we show the world our strength,” he continued. “From the moment the crisis began, we joined together, everyone pitched in, shelter was given, clothing was donated, food trucks came from miles around to feed the hungry, ministers reached out to feed our need for comfort and spiritual healing. And of course we can’t thank our first responders enough for their courage and heroism.”
The Watson star then drew attention to the BET and CBS program’s charity work: the NAACP, BET Media Group, WME and Johnson Shapiro Slewett and Kole (JSSK) partnered with L.A. County, in collaboration with Community Aid Dena, Altadena Heritage and WalkGood LA, to launch the Altadena Community Preservation Fund, geared toward protecting homeowners from displacement and preserving the community’s cultural heritage. Offering aid for temporary housing, legal fees and admin costs, the ceremony flashed a QR code on screen as Chestnut encouraged donations.
Ledisi, backed by Adam Blackstone and the BBE All-Star band, performed a tribute, fresh off of her sweeping Super Bowl rendition of the Black National Anthem earlier this month.
Earlier in the show, host Deon Cole‘s monologue touched on the wildfires, stating that Altadena would build back better and stronger, before poking fun at unsubstantiated right-wing finger-pointing of the disaster on diversity, equity and inclusion.
“I couldn’t believe they was trying to blame the fires on us, though, like Black people, whatever DEI — DEI means Black people,” he said. “But see the one thing they don’t realize is Black people don’t mess with fire like that, not at all. Nothing fire, uh-uh, [Amazon] Fire Sticks. Every Black person I know got a Fire Stick at home. It’s a guy right now at home seeing the show yesterday that’s happening right now live.”
In addition to the tribute, the night honored Dave Chappelle, former Vice President Kamala Harris and the Wayans family, who were inducted into the NAACP Awards Hall of Fame.
Follow along here for an updated list of winners.
