Michael B. Jordan Pays Emotional Tribute to Chadwick Boseman While Winning Big at 2026 NAACP Image Awards
Michael B. Jordan was named Entertainer of the Year at the 57th NAACP Image Awards, and he used the moment to honor a close friend and late co-star, Chadwick Boseman. The ceremony took place on March 1, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California. Jordan dedicated the award to Boseman, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 43.
“I was thinking about lead actor, and I was thinking about what lead actor meant to me. And honestly, I gotta dedicate this award to Chadwick Boseman,” Jordan said during his acceptance speech.
“As my brother, our time on this planet is short. I was watching the ‘In Memoriam’ and seeing how fast these careers go by and people’s lives go by, and what we do while we’re here on Earth. And I just want to be here and be present with you guys as much as possible.”
From sneaking into award shows to now being awarded by that same show multiple times. The man. The legend. Michael B Jordan. #NAACPImageAwards pic.twitter.com/0KGHRNqmLK
— BET (@BET) March 1, 2026
Jordan also won Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his performance in Sinners, which took home 12 awards overall, including Outstanding Motion Picture. Cynthia Erivo earned Outstanding Actress for her role in Wicked: For Good.
The live ceremony, hosted by actor and comedian Deon Cole, followed four nights of virtual presentations. TV series Abbott Elementary dominated the small-screen categories with three wins, while Cardi B and Kendrick Lamar were recognized as Outstanding Female and Male Artists, respectively.
Other notable film awards included Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku for Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress in Sinners. In television, Sterling K. Brown won Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for Paradise, and Angela Bassett won Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for 9-1-1. Cedric The Entertainer and Quinta Brunson won comedy acting honors for The Neighbourhood and Abbott Elementary, respectively.
The NAACP Image Awards highlight achievements by people of color across film, television, and music, celebrating talent in more than 80 competitive categories.
Michael B. Jordan’s tribute to Chadwick Boseman was a heartfelt reminder of their friendship and Boseman’s lasting impact on Hollywood. It was a night where talent, remembrance, and celebration intersected in a meaningful way.
Jordan’s dedication was one of the most moving moments of the night. It shows how personal and powerful these award shows can be beyond just the accolades. Which moment or win from the 2026 NAACP Image Awards stood out to you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments.
