Former Vice President Kamala Harris used her first major televised appearance since leaving office -- accepting the Chairman's Award during the 56th NAACP Image Awards -- to urge vigilance as the man who ended her bid for president in November continues revamping the U.S. government.

"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty," Harris told the audience during Saturday's ceremony at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium."While we have no illusions about what we are up against in this chapter of our American story, this chapter will be written not simply by whoever occupies the Oval Office -- nor by the wealthiest among us. The American story will be written by you, written by us -- by We the People."

Harris, who was greeted with a standing ovation, was frequently interrupted by applause during her roughly 41/2 minute acceptance speech.

"This organization came into being at a moment when our country struggled with greed, bitterness and hatred. And those who forged the NAACP, those who carried its legacy forward, had no illusions about the forces they were up against -- no illusions about how stony the road would be. But some look at this moment and rightly feel the weight of history. Some see the ... the shadows gathering over our democracy, and ask, 'What do we do now?' But we know exactly what to do, because we have done it before, and we will do it again."

The ceremony also put a spotlight on the fire-devastated, historically black Altadena community during a presentation by actor Morris Chestnut.

"Homes were lost, stores destroyed, countless lives shattered and over two dozen souls gone forever," Chestnut said, surrounded by 22 Altadena residents who lost their homes in January's wildfires. "What was not lost is the spirit of our community and our resilience, especially that of our brothers and sisters who live just a short distance from here in Altadena. It is in times like these that we show the world our strength."

Apart from the special presentations, the Netflix film "The Six Triple Eight", which tells the story of an all-Black, all-female battalion during World War II, emerged as one of the night's big winners, taking home five awards, including Outstanding Motion Picture.

The Image Awards, hosted this year by actor-comedian Deon Cole, honors outstanding achievements and performances by people of color in multiple categories including film, television, music, literature and podcasts.

Outstanding Social Media Personality of the Year

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

-- Samuel L. Jackson, "The Piano Lesson" (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance - Motion Picture

-- "Peanut Headz: Black History Toonz -'Jackie Robinson' "

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

-- Malcolm Washington, "The Piano Lesson" (Netflix)

Outstanding Youth Performance in a Motion Picture

-- Skylar Aleece Smith, "The Piano Lesson" (Netflix)

Outstanding Cinematography in a Motion Picture

-- Lawrence Davis, "Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist" (Peacock)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

-- Damon Wayans Jr., "Poppa's House" (CBS)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

-- Lynn Whitfield, "The Chi" (Paramount+)

Outstanding Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

-- "Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist" (Peacock)

Outstanding Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

-- Aaron Pierre, "Rebel Ridge" (Netflix)

Outstanding Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

-- Naturi Naughton, "Abducted at an HBCU: A Black Girl Missing Movie" (Lifetime)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

-- Samuel L. Jackson, "Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist" (Peacock)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

-- Taraji P. Henson, "Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist" (Peacock)

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)

Outstanding Original Score for Television/Motion Picture

-- "Star Wars: The Acolyte"

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series)

Outstanding Performance By A Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie Or Limited*Series)

-- Leah Sava Jeffries, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" (Disney+)

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) * Individual or Ensemble

-- Joy Reid, "The Reidout" (MSNBC)

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) * Individual or Ensemble

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)

-- Cree Summer, "Rugrats" (Nickelodeon)

Outstanding Short Form Series or Special -- Reality/Nonfiction /Documentary

-- "The Prince of Death Row Records" (YouTubeTV)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)

-- Adam Blackstone & Fantasia, "Summertime"

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)

-- Crystal Jenkins, "No Good Deed", "Letters of Intent" episode (Netflix)

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

-- Ben Watkins, "Cross", "Hero Complex" episode (Amazon Prime Video)

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special

-- Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Thembi L. Banks, "Young. Wild. Free" (BET+)

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

-- Tiffany Johnson, "How to Die Alone", "Trust No One" episode (Hulu)

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie, Documentary, or Special

-- Tina Mabry, "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can Eat"

Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture)

-- Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest by Fawn Weaver

Outstanding Literary Work -- Biography/Autobiography

-- Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America by JoyAnn Reid

Outstanding Literary Work -- Instructional

-- Wash Day: Passing on the Legacy, Rituals, and Love of Natural Hair by Tomesha Faxio

Outstanding Literary Work -- Poetry

-- This Is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets by Kwame Alexander

Outstanding Literary Work -- Children

-- You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!) by Taraji P. Henson (Author), Paul Kellam (Illustrator)

Outstanding Sports, Arts and Entertainment Podcast