NAACP Image Awards

The Jamie Foxx traveling tour continued at the NAACP Image Awards on March 19th, when the actor accepted the organization's Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture honor for his stellar work in Ray, a brilliant bio-pic based on the life of the late Ray Charles. Jamie had previously prevailed for the same performance at The Oscars, the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild, and 15 other award ceremonies thus far. Here, the movie also won in the lead actress (Kerry Washington), supporting actress (Regina King) and best picture categories.

The 36th Annual, event which was hosted by comedian/actor Chris Tucker, was held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. Alicia Keys and Bishop T.D. Jakes both walked away with more than one trophy, Keys for the song "If I Ain't Got You," and for its music video. Jakes was recognized in the newly-created independent or foreign film category for "Woman, Thou Art Loosed" and for best fiction as the author of the book the flick was based on.

American Idol Fantasia was named Outstanding Female Artist, which might not be a surprise to those who note that the show airs on Fox-TV. A year ago, Ruben Studdard and other performers contracted to Fox or its satellites and subsidiaries also dominated the festivities.

Some of the other winners this year included Kanye West (New Artist), Mo'Nique (for The Parkers), Usher (Outstanding Male Artist) and Morgan Freeman (for Million Dollar Baby). U. S. Senator Barack Obama of Illinois was presented the Chairman's Award and Oprah Winfrey was inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame, while the artist formerly known as the symbol for androgyny got the Vanguard Award. Bestowed upon blacks in movie, TV, literature, music and honorary areas, you can catch The Image Awards on Friday in a taped telecast on the aforementioned Fox network.