Reginald Hudlin and Phil Gurin will return as Executive Producers to the two-hour telecast which will celebrate 50 Years of NAACP Image Awards significant moments.

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Past honorees include Lonnie G. Bunch, III, John Legend, Van Jones, President Bill Clinton, Soledad O’Brien, Ruby Dee, Muhammad Ali, the Founding Members of the Black Stuntmen’s Association, Kerry Washington, and Spike Lee.

The eligibility period for all projects is January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016.

​​Smollett plays Jamal Lyon on the Fox TV show.

The NAACP has partnered with the TV One network in a new multi-media five year agreement.

Celebrity hosts at this annual event include Halle Berry, LL Cool J, Naomi Campbell, Wanda Sykes, Cedric The Entertainer, Diahann Carroll, Keke Palmer, Meagan Good, Laz Alonso.