Actors Angela Bassett and Nicco Annan picked up the first awards of the night at Saturday's NAACP Image Awards ceremony.

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Basset won Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her role in 9-1-1. She thanked creator Ryan Murphy, show also worked with Bassett in American Horror Story.

"It's been six years, and we're still standing strong," she said, "so, I'm thankful to him for seeing me and believing in my contribution to the show."

Bassett was also nominated for Entertainer of the Year and for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Annan won Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for his role in P-Valley.

"I want to dedicate this to [those who] did not have space to be themselves," Annan said in his acceptance speech.

Fellow P-Valley star Loretta Devine also picked up the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Actor, singer and producer Queen Latifah hosted the 54th annual awards show at Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California.

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She opened the show with brief renditions of "I'm Gonna Live Til I Die," "Ladies First" and Lizzo's "About Damn Time."

Early in the show, Queen Latifah welcomed Brittney Griner and her wife, Cherelle Griner, to the stage, weeks after the WNBA star was released from prison by Russian authorities.

"I want to thank everyone, and let's keep fighting to bring home every American detained overseas," Brittney Griner said.

Tennis star Serena Williams was named the recipient of the Jackie Robinson Sports Award, which is given to an athlete who also fights for social justice and gives back to their community. She said she was "humbled" to be among past winners of the award, including LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

"Together, we are a team of trailblazers and represent what is possible when you truly believe in yourself," Williams said.

NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman Leon W. Russell announced U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, D-Miss., as the winner of the Chairman's Award. Thompson is perhaps best known recently as the chairman of the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2001, attack on the Capitol.

"I accept this honor because it's something that I take as a privilege to serve, but for me and all of you here, our work is still undone," Thompson said.

The winners of several categories were announced ahead of Saturday's televised show, including Quinta Brunson, who won Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. The star of Abbott Elementary was also nominated for the biggest award of the night -- Entertainer of the Year.

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series went to Cedric the Entertainer for The Neighborhood, and Tyler James Williams and Janelle James, both of Abbott Elementary, won Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series, respectively.

Cliff "Method Man" Smith won Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Power Book II: Ghost, and Loretta Devine won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for P-Valley.

The Best Man: The Final Chapters won Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special, as well as Outstanding Actor in the same category for Morris Chestnut and Outstanding Supporting Actress for Nia Long.

Niecy Nash-Betts was Outstanding Actress in the category for her role in Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.