By: Valerie Milano

The National Association for Multi-Ethnic Diversity in Communications, (NAMIC), presented the 16^th annual Vision Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Thursday, April 22. The Vision Awards are given to honor television’s best depiction of multi-ethnic programming. NAMIC focuses on building skills and creating networking opportunities and programs to aid in leadership and development.

This year’s event was hosted by Kym Whitley, actress, director, producer and stand-up comedian. Awards were given in a variety of categories and presented by NAACP Image award winner Wendy Raquel Robinson, (“Steve Harvey Show”, “The Game”, “All of Us”), Jai Rodriguez, (“Queer Eye”, “Rick and Steve”, “Nip/Tuck”) and ‘gaysian’ comedian Alec Mapa, (“Desperate Housewives” “Ugly Betty”).

HBO won the lion share taking home 4 Vision Awards, including George Lopez for Best Comedy: “Tall, Dark & Chicano”; Jill Scott for Best  Performance – Drama and tied for Best Drama: “The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” and Best Documentary, “By the People: The Election of Barack Obama”.

NBC Universal took the honors in a tie for Best Drama for “Law & Order: SVU and Tracy Morgan received Best Performance – Comedy for “30 Rock”. Also taking 2 awards was Nickelodeon who was acknowledged for Best Animation, “The Backyardigans” and Best Children’s Show, “Dora the Explorer”. Comcast, CNN, TNT EBRU TV and Discovery en Espanol each took Vision Awards as well.

The awards are decided by a panel of industry executives and producers and are based on acting, originality, creative merit, attention to ethnic and cultural nuances, and issues relevant to people of color are considered in the selection of the winners.