Dave Chappelle makes a rare awards show appearance 2025 NAACP Image Awardswhere the actor was honored by this year’s president’s prize.
During his speech, he thanked the NAACP for his efforts on his history of more than 100 years and encouraged his colleagues artists to continue working to tell their stories.
Chappelle, who recently won her sixth best album in comedy Grammy and has won many Emmy in recent years but has not accepted these prices in person, started by explaining why this honor was more important than the others.
“I have won a lot of prizes recently, but this evening is probably the most special price I have ever received, because it is from this institution that represents these people, we, people of color, Blacks, “Chappelle, sporting a suit and tie, said when he went on stage, accepting his honor from the president of NAACP, Derrick Johnson.
He then praised the NAACP for his work in Hollywood, to improve the way in which black stories are represented.
“They collapsed in this industry so that people like me can stand in front of people and tell my story or our stories,” said Chappelle. “Each artist here, every opportunity that we have, each time we are on the camera, on stage, we continue to hatch this monster of a machine. But tonight, guy, tonight, I feel invigorated. »»
He continued joking that his mood was “because all my Netflix checks were erased. I don’t owe anyone. Whenever you see me, I know I’m only up there because I want to be up there.
Addressing the starry public of colleagues artists, Chappelle encouraged them to continue working in a “very difficult period”.
“I hope that we all work in this industry we are strong and inspired and not discouraged, especially because it is a very difficult period at the moment, and that your institution is, unfortunately, more relevant than it does not ‘has been a long time. We had a lot of work to do, but it feels good to know that we are not alone, that we have performed. And remember, the community is everything. »»
He continued by recognizing the victims of recent devastating forest fires that raged in Los Angeles, in particular not far from the Prix Pasadena program in the historic black community of Altadena.
“Cry to all those who have lost their house or who have been moved from their house, even for a while,” he said. “Never afraid to rely on each other. My father taught me a sentence that brought me to where I am today. He said, “Whenever you spoil or feel as if you cannot get up, you remember these words because they are magic words: … let’s keep moving. All of you, let’s continue to move.
Chappelle closed its doors by praising the director Stan Lathan, who directed his standing specials.
“To be able to do all these comedy specials with you, Stan was one of the honors of my life,” said Chappelle. “You are a national treasure, and you were one of my heroes, and you were a very good shepherd.”
THE 56th NAACP Image AwardsOrganized by Deon Cole, took place on Saturday evening at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, with the ceremony broadcast on Bet and CBS at 8 p.m., where Keke Palmer was appointed artist of the year, also honored Former vice-president Kamala HarrisThe Wayans Family and Bet Media Group.