Abbott Elementary Wins Outstanding Comedy Series and Stars Take Home Acting Awards at NAACP Image Awards

 Abbott Elementary Wins Outstanding Comedy Series and Stars Take Home Acting Awards at NAACP Image Awards

Abbott Elementary, 

a new comedy series was named Outstanding Comedy Series at the 54th annual NAACP Image Awards. The show's stars Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, and Janelle James were recognized for their work and took home acting awards.

Brunson, 

who is the creator and producer of Abbott Elementary, expressed gratitude to other shows in the category for paving the way for the new series. "There is nothing like winning an NAACP award," she said. "We're happy that we get to make a show that is accessible to everyone, for and by us."

Although Brunson was nominated for Entertainer of the Year, the award went to Angela Bassett, who won Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her role in 9-1-1. Bassett also won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which won Outstanding Motion Picture. Director Ryan Coogler paid homage to Chadwick Boseman, the late star of the first Blank Panther film, during his acceptance speech.

Other notable winners at the awards show included Viola Davis for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in The Woman King and Will Smith for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in Emancipation. Nicco Annan won Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for his role in P-Valley, which also won Outstanding Drama Series, and Loretta Devine won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for P-Valley.

Tennis star Serena Williams was named the recipient of the Jackie Robinson Sports Award for her social justice work and community involvement, and U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, D-Miss., won the Chairman's Award. Attorney Benjamin Crump received the Social Justice Impact Award for his work representing the families of victims of police violence.

Actor Gabrielle Union and NBA star Dwyane Wade received the President's Award for their work advocating for LGBTQ rights in honor of their transgender daughter, Zaya Wade.

The winners of several categories were announced ahead of Saturday's televised show, including Cedric the Entertainer, who won Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for The Neighborhood, and The Best Man: The Final Chapters, which won Outstanding Television Movie, Limited Series, or Dramatic Special. Morris Chestnut won Outstanding Actor in the same category for his role in The Best Man: The Final Chapters and Nia Long won Outstanding Supporting Actress for the same production.

Overall,

 the 54th annual NAACP Image Awards celebrated a diverse range of talented individuals and their contributions to the entertainment industry and society as a whole.