Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella, pioneers in rock and hip‑hop, will be inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame, highlighting their enduring impact on music and culture.

New categories are being introduced, including Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism and Outstanding Editing in a Motion Picture or TV Series, expanding recognition alongside existing categories such as Breakthrough Creative, Voice-Over, Podcast, and Social Media Personality.

Variety reported the announcement, published on February 24, 2026, anchoring the news cycle around the awards.

Among nominees, Estella Kahiha, age 10, is the youngest finalist for Outstanding Performance by a Youth, while Delroy Lindo is the most veteran nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture.

The NAACP Image Awards are described as an annual celebration of Black excellence across a broad spectrum of categories.

The awards continue to spotlight Black excellence amid a wide range of categories and nominees.

The article notes the prior recognition of Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the previous year, situating their current milestone in a broader career arc.

Leading nominations include Sinners with 18 for motion pictures and Bel-Air with seven for television, with Kendrick Lamar and Teyana Taylor each earning six nominations and contending for Entertainer of the Year.

The event is backed by a wide slate of sponsors and partners, including Wells Fargo, Google, American Airlines, Amazon, FedEx, Procter & Gamble, AARP, Airbnb, Alpha Phi Alpha, L’Oréal Groupe, and Lowe’s, with presenting support from Toyota, Walmart, Capital One, Ally, and Procter & Gamble brands.

Deon Cole will host the ceremony, which is set to air live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 28, with a red carpet show hosted by Kyla Pratt and Terrence J starting at 3:00 PM PT on BET.com.

Connie Orlando of BET underscores the group’s empowerment and cultural influence, noting how they shaped how women are seen and heard in music.

No further ceremony details are provided in the excerpt; readers should check the full Variety article for more specifics.