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Sean “Diddy” Combs and pioneer mogul Russell Simmons were

Hip-Hop’s biggest winners at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards.

The taped event was broadcast last night (February 12) from

the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Combs picked up Best Actor in a Television Movie honors for

his work in the well-received, 2008 adaption of Lorraine Hansberry’s timeless

play A Raisin in the Sun.

Combining a talented cast of actors in Phylicia Rashad, Sanaa

Lathan, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Audra McDonald, the film brought in an

audience of 12 million for its initial February 2008 airing.

Simmons took home the coveted Vanguard Award, which is given

to those “whose ground breaking work increases understanding and awareness of

racial and social issues.”

Through the non-profit Hip-Hop Summit Action Network,

Simmons utilizes the uniting force of Hip-Hop culture to advocate education,

financial literacy, and social empowerment for young people.

“Russell is deserving of this prestigious award because he

has used the power of Hip-Hop to reach and inspire our nation’s youth,” stated

Clayola Brown, NAACP Image Awards Chairwoman. “Combined with his ongoing

commitment to strengthening relations between ethnic communities and his

generous charitable spirit, Russell was a natural choice to receive the

honor.” 

The 40th annual NAACP Awards was hosted by Halle

Berry and Tyler Perry, and also marked the

100th anniversary of the organization.

A full list of winners is available at http://www.naacp.org/news/press/2009-02-13/index.htm