Viola Davis receives prestigious Chairman's prize at NAACP Image Awards

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Viola Davis delivered a powerful speech about self-worth, resilience and collective progress on the 57th NAACP Image Awards stage Saturday night, telling the audience that personal and national growth require confronting truth and hardship.

“There is no becoming without healing and without a radical acceptance of one’s truth,” Davis said after receiving the NAACP’s Chairman’s Award at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium near Los Angeles. “We either move forward together or not at all.”

The Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Grammy winner reflected on her journey from childhood poverty in Rhode Island to international success, saying, “I just wanted to be somebody. I wanted success because I thought it was significance.”

Davis, 60, has earned widespread acclaim for performances in films including “The Help,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Doubt,” while also captivating television audiences in the legal drama “How to Get Away With Murder.” She achieved EGOT status after winning a Grammy for the audiobook version of her memoir, “Finding Me,” adding to two Tonys, an Emmy and an Academy Award for the film adaptation of “Fences.”

“No one can describe the journey of going from the little chocolate girl searching for hope,” Davis said, “to the girl living a transcendent life.”

Michael B. Jordan capped off the night as the winner of entertainer of the year after also taking home best actor for his dual performance as twin brothers in the film “Sinners.”

Jordan beat out nominees Cynthia Erivo, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar and Teyana Taylor for the top honor. Last year’s entertainer of the year winner was Keke Palmer.

During his acceptance speech, Jordan became emotional while acknowledging late actor Chadwick Boseman, his friend and “Black Panther” co-star.

“My best friend, Chad … I miss you every day,” Jordan said.

He also thanked his family and community, encouraging those watching from his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, to pursue their goals with humility and compassion.

Hip-hop trailblazers Salt-N-Pepa were inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame, recognized for their groundbreaking impact on music, culture and the representation of women in rap.

The Grammy-winning group — Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandra “Pepa” Denton and DJ Spinderella — rose to prominence in the late 1980s and 1990s with hits including “Push It,” “Shoop” and “Whatta Man,” helping bring female voices to the forefront of hip-hop while shaping conversations around confidence, relationships and self-expression.

Accepting the honor, the trio reflected on their legacy and influence across generations of artists.

“We didn’t know we were building a movement,” said Spinderella, the stage name of Deidra Muriel Roper. “We were just being ourselves.”

The ceremony kicked off with host Deon Cole blending sharp political humor with pointed cultural commentary, including a censored jab referencing immigration enforcement and a nod to the recent disruption involving Jordan and Delroy Lindo at the British Academy Film Awards.

Cole’s monologue drew loud reactions from the crowd as he joked about removing anything associated with “ICE” from the guest list before shifting into a comedic prayer segment that touched on celebrities and current headlines.

The actor-comedian then referenced the BAFTA disruption, which occurred in February when a racial slur was shouted from the audience by Tourette syndrome advocate John Davidson while Jordan and Lindo were presenting during a ceremony that had been prerecorded earlier in the day.

After receiving a standing ovation, Lindo spoke briefly on the matter before he and Ryan Coogler presented the best actress award to Erivo for “Wicked: For Good.”

“In the aftermath of what happened last weekend, it means a lot to us,” Lindo said. “It is a honor to be here amongst that people this evening, among so many people who have shown us such incredible support. And it’s a classic case of something that could be very negative becoming very positive.”

In his live monologue, Cole humorously gave his warning to anyone prone to inappropriate outbursts.

“If there are any white men out here in the audience with Tourette’s, I advise you to tell them they can read the room tonight,” he joked.

The ceremony, featuring Black achievement across film, television, music and literature, featured appearances from Regina Hall and other presenters.

Hall presented the first award of the night to Miles Caton, who accepted the trophy for outstanding breakthrough performance in a film for “Sinners.” Before handing over the award, Hall also acknowledged Caton's “Sinners” co-stars Jordan and Lindo, praising their composure.

“I’d like to just take a moment to the two kings who are in this audience and send you so much love for your class,” Hall said.

“Sinners,” Coogler’s pulsating supernatural thriller, led the awards in the movie categories with 18 nominations.

Colman Domingo received the President’s Award, which recognizes individuals who use their platform to advance social justice and public service, joining past honorees including Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill, Usher, Rihanna and John Legend.

Domingo reflected on the people who shaped his path, including his mother and stepfather, and emphasized the importance of community support and purpose.

“You don’t get here alone,” Domingo said.

The ceremony also honored the Rev. Jesse Jackson and his decades of activism and influence on American politics, culture and social justice movements.

Actor Samuel L. Jackson delivered a heartfelt tribute recognizing the legacy of the civil rights leader, who died Feb. 17 at age 84.

A protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and a two-time presidential candidate, Jackson rose to national prominence during the Civil Rights Movement and continued advocating for marginalized communities for decades through his Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.

From voting rights and education to economic inclusion, he pushed corporations and political leaders to expand opportunities for Black Americans while promoting self-worth and empowerment.

His longtime message — “I am somebody” — became a rallying cry across generations, emphasizing dignity and possibility regardless of circumstance.

The tribute drew applause from the audience, underscoring the lasting impact of Jackson’s leadership on multiple generations.

Cheryl "Salt" James, from left, Deidra "Spinderella" Roper, and Sandra "Pepa" Denton of 'Salt-N-Pepa' accept the Hall of Fame award during the 57th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Colman Domingo accepts the President's award during the 57th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Michael B. Jordan accepts the award for Entertainer of the Year during the 57th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Viola Davis accepts the Chairman's Award during the 57th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Deon Cole arrives at the 57th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Samuel L. Jackson speaks about Rev. Jesse Jackson during the 57th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Samuel L. Jackson speaks about Rev. Jesse Jackson during the 57th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Samuel L. Jackson speaks about Rev. Jesse Jackson during the 57th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Miles Caton accepts the award for outstanding breakthrough performance in a motion picture for "Sinners" during the 57th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Samuel L. Jackson speaks about Rev. Jesse Jackson during the 57th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Regina Hall presents the award for outstanding breakthrough performance in a motion picture during the 57th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Host Deon Cole speaks during the 57th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran fired missiles at targets in Israel and Gulf Arab states Sunday after vowing massive retaliation for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by the United States and Israel, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to threaten Tehran against further escalation.

Iran acknowledged 86-year-old Khamenei’s death in the joint Israeli-American airstrike Saturday at his Tehran office, which has thrown the future of the Islamic Republic into question and raised the risk of regional instability.

“This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country,” Trump said.

Iran’s Cabinet vowed that this “great crime will never go unanswered” and the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened to launch its “most intense offensive operation” ever, targeting Israeli and American bases.

“You have crossed our red line and must pay the price,” Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said in a televised address Sunday. “We will deliver such devastating blows that you yourselves will be driven to beg.”

“Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before,” Trump fired back in a social media post. “THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!”

After the initial strikes, Iran immediately launched missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The Israeli military said Iran fired dozens of missiles at Israel, with many intercepted. The Magen David Adom rescue service said Saturday night that a woman in the Tel Aviv area died after being wounded in an Iranian missile attack.

Flights across the Middle East were disrupted, and air defense fire thudded over Dubai, the United Arab Emirates’ commercial capital, with explosions continuing into Sunday morning. Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the UAE capital killed one person, state media said, and debris from aerial interceptions caused fires at the city’s main port and on the facade of the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel.

Saudi Arabia said Iran targeted its capital and eastern region in an attack that was repelled and Jordan said it “dealt with” 49 drones and ballistic missiles.

The strikes could rattle global markets, particularly if Iran makes the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial traffic. A third of worldwide oil exports transported by sea passed through the strait in 2025.

The attack on Iran opened a stunning new chapter in U.S. intervention, and carried the potential for retaliatory violence and a wider war, representing a startling flex of military might for an American president who swept into office on an “America First” platform and vowed to keep out of “forever wars.”

The killing of Khamenei in the second Trump administration assault on Iran in eight months appeared certain to create a leadership vacuum, given the absence of a known successor and because the supreme leader had final say on all major policies during his decades in power. He led Iran’s clerical establishment and the Revolutionary Guard, the two main centers of power in the governing theocracy.

Iran quickly formed a council to govern the country until a new supreme leader is chosen.

State media also reported the deaths of the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and a top security adviser to Khamenei in airstrikes. Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour took over as the Guard’s top commander after Israel killed its past commander in the 12-day war last June. The adviser, Ali Shamkhani, had long been a figurehead within Iran’s security establishment, IRNA said.

As reports trickled out about Khamenei’s death, eyewitnesses in Tehran told The Associated Press that some residents were rejoicing, cheering from rooftops, blowing whistles and letting out ululations.

Mourners raised a black flag over the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad and the Iranian government declared 40 days of public mourning and a seven-day nationwide public holiday to commemorate Khamenei’s death.

Citing unidentified sources, the semiofficial Fars news agency reported that several relatives of Khamenei were also killed, including a daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandchild.

The joint U.S.-Israel operation, which officials say was planned for months, started Saturday during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan and at the start of the Iranian workweek. It followed stilted negotiations and warnings from Trump.

The U.S. military said targets in Iran included Revolutionary Guard command facilities, air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. It reported no U.S. casualties and minimal damage at U.S. bases despite “hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks.”

Democrats decried that Trump had taken action without congressional authorization. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the administration had briefed several Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress in advance.

Tensions have soared in recent weeks as the Trump administration built up the largest force of American warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades. The president insisted he wanted a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear program while the country struggled with growing dissent following nationwide protests.

Though Trump had pronounced the Iranian nuclear program obliterated in strikes last year, the country was rebuilding infrastructure that it had lost, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss Trump’s decision-making process. The official said intelligence showed that Iran had developed the capability to produce its own high-quality centrifuges, an important step in developing the highly enriched uranium needed for weapons.

Iran had said it hoped to avert a war, but it maintained its right to enrich uranium.

Iran has said it has not enriched since June, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites the U.S. bombed. Satellite photos analyzed by AP have shown new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material.

Israel said the operation had been planned for months with the United States. Air Force pilots struck “hundreds of targets across Iran,” Israeli military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said in a statement.

Targets in the Israeli campaign included Iran’s military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information on the attack.

In southern Iran, at least 115 people were reported killed when a girls’ school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, the local governor told Iranian state TV. U.S. Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said he was “aware of reports” that a girls’ school was struck and that officials were looking into them.

An Iranian diplomat told the United Nations Security Council that hundreds of civilians were killed and wounded in the strikes.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA said at least 15 people were killed in the southwest, quoting the governor of the Lamerd region, Ali Alizadeh, as saying a sports hall, two residential areas and a hall near a school were hit.

Lidman reported from Tel Aviv. Boak reported from West Palm Beach, Florida. Tucker reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Joe Federman in Jerusalem, Aamer Madhani and Konstantin Toropin in Washington, Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Farnoush Amiri in New York, David Rising in Bangkok and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report.

A government supporter holds a picture of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a gathering after state TV officially announced the death of Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Israel's air defense missile fires to intercept missiles from Iran over Israel, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Government supporters mourn in a gathering after state TV officially announced the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Government supporters chant slogans as they gather in mourning after state TV officially announced the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)