1. RIHANNA, 'BLACK-ISH,' AND CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS HONORED AT NAACP IMAGE AWARDS: The likes of Lizzo, Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, and dozens more celebrities descended Saturday on the Pasadena Convention Center for the 51st annual NAACP Image Awards. Hosted by Anthony Anderson—whose network situation comedy, Black-ish, scored several awards—the event recognizes the achievements of people of color in TV, music, literature, and film as well as those who promote social justice through creative work. The Hollywood Reporter: “Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis was honored with the Chairman’s Award and he spoke about the pain of growing up in a segregated society and his unending fight to bring equal rights to all Americans in his taped acceptance speech. Rihanna received a standing ovation when she took the stage to receive the President’s Award for her philanthropic efforts, including raising millions of dollars for disaster relief, and she used her speech to call for unity in the country.”
2. ARMANI FINDS CREATIVE APPROACH TO CORONAVIRUS FEARS AT MILAN FASHION WEEK: At the last minute, Giorgio Armani decided Sunday to hold his Milan Fashion Week show via livestream, in an empty showroom, due to an outbreak of the coronavirus throughout northern Italy. Associated Press: “The fashion house said in a statement early Sunday that ‘the decision was taken to safeguard the well-being of all his invited guests by not having them attend crowded spaces.’... Sunday is the fifth day of womenswear previews for next fall and winter, with eight other shows scheduled, including Dolce & Gabbana. It was not clear if the other shows would go on as scheduled.”
3. SPORTS EMMYS GIVING LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD TO A WOMAN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS 41 YEARS: Longtime sportscaster Lesley Visser will receive a lifetime achievement award at this year’s Sports Emmys. The 41-year-old ceremony will honor a woman for the first time on April 28 at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall, in New York. Now in her 30th year at CBS, Visser has been in the industry for 45 years working for a variety of networks. Variety: “‘To be a pioneer at nearly every juncture of sports reporting isn’t easy despite how Lesley Visser makes it look,’ said Justine Gubar, executive director, Sports Emmy Awards. ‘Lesley has spent her career serving as an unparalleled role model and mentor to countless up-and-coming journalists including myself. Her generous spirit, breadth and depth of knowledge, and professionalism shine in our industry and the National Academy could not be more thrilled to honor Lesley with our Lifetime Achievement Award for Sports.'”