NAACP Host 39th Image Awards: Whitaker and Hudson Receive Image Award Friday Night

The 38th annual NAACP Image Awards took place Friday March 2, 2007 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The two hour event was broadcasted live for the first time. LL Cool J a NAACP Image Award winner and a two time Grammy Award winner hosted the event. The event started with a performance by Leelah James and the Image Award Dancers.

Forest Whitaker's and Jennifer Hudson's Oscars have a new friend to keep them company. The two both received an NAACP Image Award at Friday's event.

Whitaker received an Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his performance in "The Last King of Scotland." In his acceptance speech Whitaker noted that winning the award is one of his blessings and gifts he has received. "One of the most special gifts was being able to go back to Africa and touch my roots," said Whitaker.

American Idol's Randy Jackson and Smokey Robinson presented the first award of the program to Hudson. Hudson received an Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in "Dreamgirls." "You are the people that I have always admired and looked up to as beautiful black women. So it's an honor to be in the same category with you ladies," said Hudson to the other actresses nominated for the award. Hudson dedicated her award to Anika Noni Rose who was also nominated for the award. Rose was one of Hudson's colleagues in "Dreamgirls." Hudson also thanked Jackson for choosing her as a "wildflower," on American Idol.

Djimon Hounson won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for "Blood Diamond." The other actors nominated included Harry Belafonte for "Bobby," Danny Glover for "Dreamgirls," Eddie Murphy also for "Dreamgirls," and Jaden Christopher Syre Smith for "The Pursuit of Happyness."