Gabrielle Union was eye-catching at the 54th NAACP Image Awards in Pasadena, California, on Saturday.
The Bring It On actress, 50, strutted the red carpet in a colorful strapless gown that featured a multitude of Egyptian-inspired designs and was joined by her husband, former NBA player Dwyane Wade, 41.
The pair were honored at the event with the President’s Award for their work as activists for the LGBTQ+ community. It comes just one day after the NBA star’s transgender daughter Zaya, 15, was granted a legal name and gender change.
Gabrielle had a smile plastered to her flawless visage as she made her way down the carpet.
The bodice of her dress flaunted the beauty’s figure and fanned out slightly at the waist, so the skirt flowed around her.
Eye-catching: Gabrielle Union looked like a goddess at the NAACP Image Awards on Saturday
Couple goals: The beauty was joined by her husband, former NBA star Dwyane Wade
She paired the outfit with black heels and a stunning ruby and diamond-encrusted necklace.
Her hair was straightened and left down around her shoulders.
Dwyane looked dapper in an all-black suit with a small broach on his lapel.
The President’s Award is presented in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service.
In his portion of their acceptance speech, Dwyane took a moment to thank his daughter Zaya.
The 15-year-old was recently granted a legal name and gender change after coming out as transgender back in 2019 at the age of 12.
He said: ‘I have sat back and watched how graceful you have taken on the public scrutiny, and even though it’s not easy, I watched you walk out of the house every morning as yourself.
‘I admire how you have handled the ignorance in our world. I admire that you face it every day.’
Got the glow: The 50-year-old strutted the red carpet in a colorful strapless gown that featured a multitude of Egyptian-inspired designs
Model behavior: The bodice of her dress flaunted the beauty’s figure and fanned out slightly at the waist, so the skirt flowed around her
All cuddled up: Dwyane looked dapper in an all-black suit
Cheesin: The couple posed for a photo with Vanessa Bell Calloway
Dywane continued: ‘Zaya, you have made me a better human just simply by being who you were born to be. Our baby girl, Zaya wade. Thank you for showing the world what courage looks like.’
Gabrielle then used her portion of the speech to talk about the hard truths surrounding black rights and, more specifically, the treatment of black trans people.
‘Even as we demand equality at the top of our lungs, we consistently fail to extend our advocacy to protect some of our most vulnerable amongst us.’
She continued: ‘We honestly don’t approach this work as activists or leaders as much as we do this as parents who love our children and will do whatever the hell we can to keep them seen, secure, and safe.’
The 54th NAACP Image Awards were hosted in Downtown Los Angeles at L.A. Live Event Deck by Queen Latifah on Saturday.
The invite-only ceremony did not have a red carpet due to a winter storm affecting parts of Southern California, and bringing heavy rain and flash flooding.
The event honors outstanding representations and achievements of people of color in motion pictures, television, music, and literature in the year 2022.
The nominations were announced on Thursday, January 12, 2023, and the ceremony will air on Saturday, February 25 at 8 p.m. ET on BET.
Activists: Gabrielle and Dwyane were honored with the President’s Award at the event for their work as activists for the LGBTQ+ community.
Speaking the truth: The President’s Award is presented in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service
From the heart: During their speech, Dwyane took the time to thank his 15-year-old daughter Zaya, who was recently granted a legal name and gender change after coming out as transgender back in 2019
Beyoncé and Rihanna were among the winners included in night one of the weeklong non-televised categories getting awarded ahead of Saturday’s main ceremony.
Beyoncé won for the Outstanding Female Artist, Outstanding Soul/R&B Song for Cuff It and Outstanding Album for Renaissance. While Rihanna won for Outstanding Video/Visual Album for Lift Me Up, with her film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever taking the trophy for the Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album category.
Reginald Hudlin, Giancarlo Esposito, Brittani Nichols and Marissa Jo Cerar were some of the winners revealed on Thursday, during the fourth night.
Hudlin received the Outstanding Directing in a Documentary prize for his Sidney Poitier documentary Sidney.
Esposito received a nod for directing a drama series for a Season 6 episode of Better Call Saul, and Angela Barnes won for directing a comedy for Atlanta.
The night prior Quinta Brunson, Keke Palmer, and Nia Long, were among those who received nods.
Brunson won for Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television) for her ABC show Abbott Elementary. Palmer won Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture for her work on Lightyear. Long won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special for The Best Man: The Final Chapters.
Tonight, The Daily Show won for Outstanding Variety or Game Show (Series or Special), while Lizzo’s Big Grrrls won in the Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series category.
Serena Williams will be honored with the Jackie Robinson Sports Award.
Proud: He said: ‘I admire how you have handled the ignorance in our world. I admire that you face it every day’
Quick photo op: Gabrielle used her portion of the speech to talk about the hard truths surrounding black rights and, more specifically, the treatment of black trans people
Living in the moment: ‘Even as we demand equality at the top of our lungs, we consistently fail to extend our advocacy to protect some of our most vulnerable amongst us’
Speaking up: The pair were photographed with their awards alongside Social Justice Impact Award winner Benjamin Crump
Presenters include Zendaya, Taye Diggs, Issa Rae, Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith, Jonathan Majors, Janelle Monáe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
Host Queen Latifah said in a statement, ‘It’s an honor to host the 54th NAACP Image Awards, especially in the year we are celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop.
‘This is a night to celebrate Black excellence and Black contribution to our industry and beyond. Celebrating one another, lifting each other up and you know we’ll have fun doing it!’
Kyle Bowser, who’s the senior vice president of the NAACP’s Hollywood Bureau told CNN the award show’s objective ‘is to broaden the scope, widen the lens, if you will, in the critique and the evaluation of what excellence looks like.’
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