The Wayans Family Is Inducted into NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame

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The Wayans Family Is Inducted into NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame

The 56th NAACP Image Awards aired live via BET and CBS on Saturday, Feb. 22

The Wayans family is being honored in a very special way!

On Saturday, Feb. 22, the talented family attended the 56th NAACP Image Award where they were inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame.

Speaking to PEOPLE at the ceremony, Damon, 64, said of receiving the honor, "I think my parents would be very, very happy for us. And they know that without them, there'd be no us and they would really take all the credit."

Damon was joined at the ceremony by his son Damon Wayans Jr. and family members, Kim Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Craig Wayans, Chaunte Wayans, and Damien Wayans as they received their joint honor as NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame inductees.

Outside of working together, Damon shared with PEOPLE that he is blessed to have his family's continuous love and support for each other.

"Beyond working together, it's the community that we have, when you're going through something, you have a squad that's going through the same things, and as I overcome those things," he said.

"Like, when you trip and ready to jump off a building, you know, it's like, 'Come here, come back here. It's not that serious.' So, I think that that has been the greatest asset I've had in my life, is having family in the business, that the business that doesn't let me, you know, trip."

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The Wayans Family Is Inducted into NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame: Our Parents 'Would Be Very, Very Happy’
The 56th NAACP Image Awards aired live via BET and CBS on Saturday, Feb. 22

By Jen Juneau, Stephanie Sengwe, and Escher Walcott Published on February 23, 2025 10:07AM EST
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PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: (L-R) Craig Wayans, Damon Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr., winners of the NAACP Awards Hall of Fame award, pose in the press room during the 56th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2025 in Pasadena, California
Craig, Damon and Marlon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. at the NAACP Awards Hall of Fame Awards on Feb. 22. Photo: Robin L Marshall/Getty
The Wayans family is being honored in a very special way!

On Saturday, Feb. 22, the talented family attended the 56th NAACP Image Award where they were inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame.

Speaking to PEOPLE at the ceremony, Damon, 64, said of receiving the honor, "I think my parents would be very, very happy for us. And they know that without them, there'd be no us and they would really take all the credit."

Damon was joined at the ceremony by his son Damon Wayans Jr. and family members, Kim Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Craig Wayans, Chaunte Wayans, and Damien Wayans as they received their joint honor as NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame inductees.

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Outside of working together, Damon shared with PEOPLE that he is blessed to have his family's continuous love and support for each other.

"Beyond working together, it's the community that we have, when you're going through something, you have a squad that's going through the same things, and as I overcome those things," he said.

"Like, when you trip and ready to jump off a building, you know, it's like, 'Come here, come back here. It's not that serious.' So, I think that that has been the greatest asset I've had in my life, is having family in the business, that the business that doesn't let me, you know, trip."

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PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: (L-R) Kim Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Damon Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr. and Damien Dante Wayans accept the NAACP Awards Hall of Fame award onstage during the 56th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2025 in Pasadena, California
Kim Wayans, Marlon, Damon Wayans, Damon Jr. and Damien Dante Wayans speak accept the NAACP Awards Hall of Fame award on Feb. 22. Monica Schipper/Getty
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An announcement about the honor on Instagram read, "For generations, the Wayans have been THAT FAMILY — brilliant, fearless, and unapologetically Black! They didn’t just make us laugh; they shook the industry, redefined comedy, and paved the way for so many to follow."

"In Living Color, Major Payne, My Wife & Kids, Scary Movie, White Chicks, Poppa’s House … No one does it like the Wayans!" the caption added. "It’s time to give flowers to a family of trailblazers who have left an undeniable mark on the culture and the world! 💐👏🏾"

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The Wayans family join other past NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame inductees including Eddie Murphy, Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Spike Lee.

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: (L-R) Damien Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Damon Wayans and Kim Wayans pose in the Trophy Lounge with their Image Awards at the 56th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2025 in Pasadena, California.
Damien, Marlon, Damon and Kim Wayans pose in the Trophy Lounge with their Image Awards at the 56th NAACP Image Awards on Feb. 22. Leon Bennett/Getty
Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO, said in a press release, “For decades, the Wayans family has been at the forefront of comedy, breaking barriers and opening doors for waves of entertainers."

“Their trailblazing work in television, film, and stand-up has transcended pop culture and cemented their legacy in the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame," he added. "Recognizing their achievements with this induction is a celebration of a multi-generational legacy that continues to advance and uplift communities."

Johnson concluded, "The Wayans family has set a standard of excellence, and their influence resonates far beyond the stage and screen.”

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