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NAYA DESIR-JOHNSON WINS NAACP IMAGE AWARD FOR SARAH’S OIL

Naya Desir-Johnson at the 57th NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors held at L.A. Live Event Deck on February 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Deadline via Getty Images)

Naya Desir-Johnson was honored at the 57th NAACP Image Awards, winning Outstanding Performance by a Youth in a Motion Picture for her role as Sarah Rector in the historical drama Sarah’s Oil. The ceremony took place February 28, 2026 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, celebrating excellence in film, television, music, and literature.

Desir-Johnson’s performance as the pioneering young entrepreneur Sarah Rector has been widely recognized for bringing to life the remarkable true story of the girl who became one of the first Black female millionaires in the United States after oil was discovered on her land in early-20th-century Oklahoma.

In addition to Desir-Johnson’s individual honor, Sarah’s Oil received a nomination for Outstanding Motion Picture, placing the film among a distinguished group of nominees including Highest 2 Lowest, One of Them Days, Sinners, and Wicked: For Good. The recognition highlights the film’s growing impact during awards season and its powerful retelling of Sarah Rector’s inspiring legacy.

During her acceptance speech, Desir-Johnson expressed appreciation for the NAACP Image Awards and the fellow nominees recognized in the category.

I’d first like to thank the NAACP Image Awards for this recognition. I would also like to thank them for including me in such an amazing group of nominees: Amari, Estella, Jahleel, and Peyton. I look forward to the opportunity to work with each of you in the future.

Reflecting on the experience of filming the project in Oklahoma, Desir-Johnson spoke about the challenges and rewards of portraying the historic figure.

When I went to film Sarah’s Oil in Oklahoma, there were many things that were challenging—the bugs, the tall itchy grass, the humidity—and did I mention the ticks? But guess what? I would do it again, and again, and again. Because this is the kind of challenging role that I want to be part of as an actress and the kind of story that the world needs to know.

Desir-Johnson also thanked the many collaborators who helped bring the film to life, including director Cyrus Nowrasteh, screenwriter Betsy Nowrasteh, the film’s cast and crew, and the Rector family, who welcomed the production in telling Sarah Rector’s story. She also acknowledged producers John Shepherd and Derrick Williams, along with Amazon MGM Studios, The Wonder Project, and Kingdom Story Company for sharing the film with audiences around the world.

The category for Outstanding Performance by a Youth in a Motion Picture featured a talented group of rising young performers, including Amari Price (The Knife), Estella K. Kahiha (The Woman in the Yard), Jahleel Kamara (Shadow Force), and Peyton Jackson (The Woman in the Yard).

Hosted by comedian and actor Deon Cole, the 57th NAACP Image Awards brought together many of the entertainment industry’s most influential voices to celebrate Black excellence in storytelling. The evening included appearances from prominent artists and performers such as Angela Bassett, Cynthia Erivo, Michael B. Jordan, Quinta Brunson, Regina Hall, and Sterling K. Brown.

Special honors were also presented during the ceremony, including the Chairman’s Award to Viola Davis and the President’s Award to Colman Domingo, while legendary hip-hop pioneers Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella were inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame.

Closing her remarks, Desir-Johnson dedicated the moment to the historic figure whose story inspired the film.

This is for Sarah Rector.

As Sarah’s Oil continues to introduce audiences to the extraordinary life of Sarah Rector, Desir-Johnson’s NAACP Image Award marks a meaningful milestone in the film’s growing recognition and its celebration of a powerful chapter in American history.

NAYA DESIR-JOHNSON WINS NAACP IMAGE AWARD FOR SARAH’S OIL