NAACP Image Awards open with Deon Cole jokes, BAFTA nod and Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo support

BY  NEWS BLEND 360

Updated 9:39 PM EST, February 28, 2026

LOS ANGELES (NB360) — The 57th NAACP Image Awards kicked off Saturday night with host Deon Cole combining incisive political humor with cultural insights, including a censored quip about immigration enforcement and a mention of the recent awards-season incident involving Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo at the British Academy Film Awards.

Cole’s monologue at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium elicited strong reactions from the audience as he joked about removing anything linked to “ICE” from the guest list before moving into a comedic prayer segment that addressed celebrities and current news. The comedian then referenced the BAFTA incident, which took place on Feb. 21 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 that day.

In his live monologue, Cole humorously cautioned those 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,” the actor-comedian joked.

The ceremony, which honors Black achievements in film, television, music, and literature, featured appearances from Regina Hall and other presenters, with major accolades and competitive awards planned throughout the evening.

Hall presented the first award of the night to Miles Caton, who accepted the trophy for outstanding breakthrough performance in a motion picture for “Sinners.” Before handing over the award, Hall acknowledged Caton’s “Sinners” co-stars Jordan and Lindo, commending their poise.

“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.

This year’s ceremony will include tributes to Viola Davis, who will receive the Chairman’s Award, and Colman Domingo, who will be honored with the President’s Award.

Ryan Coogler’s gripping supernatural thriller “Sinners” entered the awards in the movie categories with a leading 18 nominations.