The NAACP Image Awards is expanding its recognition of African talent, with 10 new dedicated categories set to debut at the 58th NAACP Image Awards in 2027.
The new categories will recognize achievements across music, film and television, creating dedicated spaces for African artists, actors, filmmakers and other creatives. The NAACP said the expansion is intended to build a stronger cultural connection between Africa and the global Black diaspora while recognizing the continent’s growing influence in entertainment.
The 10 new categories are:
- Outstanding African Album
- Outstanding African New Artist
- Outstanding African Song
- Outstanding African Motion Picture
- Outstanding Actor in an African Motion Picture
- Outstanding Actress in an African Motion Picture
- Outstanding Directing in an African Motion Picture
- Outstanding African Television Series
- Outstanding Actor in an African Television Series
- Outstanding Actress in an African Television Series
The music categories will give African recording artists a dedicated platform at one of the most established awards programs celebrating Black achievement. The inclusion of Outstanding African Album, Outstanding African Song and Outstanding African New Artist also comes at a time when Afrobeats, amapiano and other African sounds continue to reach wider international audiences.
The expansion extends beyond music, with dedicated categories for African cinema and television. This includes recognition for productions, actors and directors, giving the continent’s film and television industries a larger presence within the Image Awards.
The 58th edition will feature 108 categories across motion pictures, television and streaming, music, literature and podcasts. The awards are also bringing back daytime drama categories and introducing Outstanding Scripted Vertical Series.
Submissions for the 2027 awards cycle opened on August 31, 2026, and will close on November 13, while literary submissions close November 6. Eligible works must have been released or performances taken place between January 1 and December 31, 2026. Nominees are scheduled to be announced on January 7, 2027, when public voting will begin.
The date for the 58th NAACP Image Awards ceremony has not yet been announced.
The introduction of the 10 African categories marks a significant expansion of the awards’ recognition of creative work from the continent, giving African music, film and television their own dedicated spaces within the NAACP Image Awards.
