Image Awards

It's a big night for black entertainers and for Hollywood at large. While raving that the nominees for the NAACP Image Awards will "blow folks away," including multiple nods for Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys, Chairwoman Clayola Brown also recognized the historical significance of this year's show. The National Assn.

"The Great Debaters" was named best film of 2007 at the 39th annual NAACP Image Awards on Thursday evening. The inspiring film about an African American debate team in the 1930s also earned best actor and actress honors for director Denzel Washington and co-star Jurnee Smollett, respectively. The awards, which honor projects and individuals that promote diversity in the arts, literature, motion pictures, recording and television, were telecast from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. D.L.

Denzel Washington was a force to be reckoned with at the 39th annual NAACP Image Awards nominations announced Tuesday. His civil rights drama "The Great Debaters" scored eight nominations, including best film, director and actor for Washington. The film was also nominated for actress for Jurnee Smollett, supporting actor for Denzel Whitaker, Forest Whitaker and Nate Parker, and writing for Robert Eisele.

Oscar winners Forest Whitaker and Jennifer Hudson kept their winning streaks alive, while "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington claimed a best actor prize at the 38th annual NAACP Image Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on Friday. "Ugly Betty" took top television honors. Hudson, a former "American Idol" finalist, garnered a best supporting actress award for her role in the musical "Dreamgirls," the same category she won at the Academy Awards.

CBS scored the most nominations for the 38th annual NAACP Image Awards, a development that has raised the issue of a potential conflict of interest because of the civil rights organization's link to the network. Bruce S. Gordon, chairman of the NAACP, sits on the board of directors for CBS. Gordon and representatives for the NAACP could not be reached for comment Wednesday. The CBS network led with 19 nominations, followed by the CW with 17.

A biopic about the life of legendary singer Ray Charles has won four NAACP Image Awards, including outstanding motion picture and an outstanding actor trophy that added to its star Jamie Foxx's armful of honors. "Ray" was nominated for a leading seven awards, including outstanding motion picture and outstanding actor in a motion picture for Foxx, who also received the best actor Oscar at last month's Academy Awards.

Soul singer Luther Vandross won four NAACP Image Awards in a ceremony Saturday that blended politics with a wide range of honors for works by and about people of color. Vandross is recovering from a stroke and was not at Universal Amphitheatre to pick up his prizes for best male artist and for his music video, song and album titled "Dance With My Father." The sentimental favorite won four Grammys last month. The gospel music comedy "The Fighting Temptations" won for best movie. Cuba Gooding Jr.