By Samantha Ofole-Prince

 “For Colored Girls” reigned at the 42nd NAACP Image Awards Friday night, securing the prize for best picture against such rivals “The Book of Eli,” “The Kids Are All Right” and “Just Wright.”

The Tyler Perry directed drama, released domestically by Lionsgate also collected two other accolades for best supporting actress Kimberly Elise and a best director award for Perry, who also picked up a separate award for best comedy series for the television show “House of Payne.”

Halle Berry, Denzel Washington and Samuel Jackson received the best actor nods in a motion picture. Halle for “Frankie and Alice,”  Denzel for “The Book of Eli” and a supporting actor accolade for Samuel for movie “Mother and Child.”

In the television category, Tatyana Ali received the best actress in a daytime drama award for “The Young and the Restless” while “Grey’s Anatomy” won for outstanding drama.

Held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the event was co-hosted by Wayne Brady and Holly Robinson Peete and performers including gospel singer Mavis Staples, vocalist Deitrick Haddon and contemporary Jazz instrumentalist Boney James.

Mary J. Blige, John Legend, the Roots, Usher, Fantasia and Willow Smith were among the music winners.

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice earned the award for outstanding literary work with “Condoleezza Rice: A Memoir of My Extraordinary, Ordinary Family and Me” and former US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, received the NAACP President’s Award for special achievement in public service, earning a standing ovation.

An annual event presented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Image Awards honor diversity in the arts and outstanding achievements in film, television, music and literature.