Image Award Highlights

Aretha Franklin accepts the Vanguard award at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles. She told the audience she was on hand for the very first Image Awards.

Actress Angela Bassett presents Denzel Washington with the award for outstanding actor in a motion picture for "The Great Debaters" at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles.

Actor Don Cheadle accepts the award for outstanding documentary for "Darfur" at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles.

Hill Harper and his mother are seen onstage at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles. The "CSI: NY" star gave his trophy for best actor in a dramatic TV series to his mother, wishing her a Happy Valentine's Day.

Janet Jackson presents Stevie Wonder with the Hall of Fame award at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles.

Stevie Wonder and Kim Burell perform at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles.

Tyler Perry accepts the award for outstanding supporting actor in a motion picture for "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?" at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles. His "House of Payne" also dominated the TV awards.

Denzel Whitaker accepts the award for outstanding supporting actor in a motion picture for "The Great Debaters" at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles.

Denzel Washington accepts the award for outstanding actor in a motion picture for "The Great Debaters" at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thurs-day, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles.

America Ferrera accepts the award for best outstanding actress in a comedy series for "Ugly Betty" at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles.

Vanessa Williams is seen backstage with the outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series award at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles.

Oscar nominee Ruby Dee is seen talking to the media backstage after she received the Chairman's award at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles.

Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo is seen with her award for outstanding world music album backstage at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles.

Actress Meagan Good arrives at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles.

Author Victoria Rowell poses backstage with the award for outstanding literary work debut author at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles. Other literature awards went to Walter Mosley, Don Cheadle, John Prendergast, David Mendell, Tavis Smiley, Nikki Giovanni, Sue Stauffacher, Greg Couch, Charles B. Schooler and Gary Young.

Actress Jurnee Smollett accepts an acting award for "The Great Debaters" at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles.

Regina Taylor accepts the award for best outstanding actress in a drama series for "The Unit" at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles.

Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth gestures to photographers at the 39th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008.

Janet Jackson accepts the award for outstanding supporting actress in a motion picture for "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?" at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles.

Actor Denzel Washington and his co-stars head for the stage at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles.