The leading contenders for the 40th NAACP Image Awards unveiled Wednesday are singers Jennifer Hudson and Beyoncé Knowles, for their work in ABC television network and the film 'The Secret Life of Bees'.

The awards, which mostly honour the achievements of people of colour in the realm of arts, will be hosted by Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry and entertainer Tyler Perry on 12th February at the Shrine Auditorium, and will also be broadcast live on Fox.

Hudson, has been nominated not only for her music, but also for her starring role in 'The Secret Life of Bees'; while Knowles has several nominations for her hit single 'Single Ladies', and her role as singer Etta James in film 'Cadillac Records'.

Other nominations include, ABC mini-series 'A Raisin in the Sun', TBS sitcom 'Tyler Perry's House of Payne', as well as, singer Alicia Keys. While, 'The Secret Life of Bees' got eight nominations for top motion picture, 'Cadillac Records', 'Miracle at St. Anna', 'Seven Pounds' and 'Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys', have been nominated in the Best Picture category.

The screenwriting nominations include Gina Prince-Bythewood for 'The Secret Life of Bees'; Jenny Lumet for 'Rachel Getting Married'; Darnell Martin for 'Cadillac Records'; Patrik-Ian Polk and John R. Gordon for 'Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom'; and Paris Qualles for 'A Raisin in the Sun'.

Comedy series contenders are 'Ugly Betty', whose star America Ferrera has received a nomination for best actress, including 'The Game', 'Everybody Hates Chris' and '30 Rock'. While, 'The Wire', 'The Unit', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'House' and ' Lincoln Hei This year, the 100th NAACP awards, we have a couple of Nobel Prize winners, who will receive the Chairman award for environmental activism, namely former Vice President Al Gore and Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai. Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons is to be honoured with the Vanguard Award for his charitable endeavors, including work with the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, and the Diamond Empowerment Fund.