AAFCA Awards 2022: Courtney B. Vance, Robin Thede Amongst TV Honorees

The African American Movie Critics Affiliation held its fourth annual AAFCA Awards on Saturday to honor excellent work in tv. Through the ceremony, Courtney B. Vance, Robin Thede, Yvonne Orji and different honorees mirrored on the significance of illustration, alternatives for rising expertise, and equal pay for Black creatives within the trade. 

“It takes rather a lot for me to bodily transfer away from my household for 9 months in a pandemic and do that work. It’s not one thing I take frivolously,” Vance, who obtained the very best TV performing (male) award for “61st Avenue,” mentioned in his acceptance speech on the SLS Lodge in Los Angeles. “However I additionally don’t take frivolously the accountability I’ve as a person — as a Black man, a husband, a father — to make it possible for I assist inform tales and make a distinction for all of us.”

This 12 months’s honorees additionally included “Bel-Air,” “Swagger,” “Girls of the Motion” and Salli Richardson for “The Gilded Age.” Quinta Brunson not solely scored the very best TV comedy award, the “Abbott Elementary” creator, author and producer was additionally honored with the AAFCA’s breakout star.

“A Black Woman Sketch Present” creator and star Robin Thede — who was awarded the accolade for finest writing — emphasised how inclusion is just not solely mandatory on display, however behind the digital camera as properly.

“When our writers begin within the ‘Black Woman Sketch Present’ writers’ room, there at all times is a second on their first day the place they give the impression of being round and go, ‘I knew it was all Black girls, however I didn’t understand it was all Black girls,’ Thede mentioned. “And I believe that being in that area the place we don’t have to clarify what a Senegalese twist is, is the magic of the present.” 

Thede continued, “Profitable the writing award for me is so particular — for all of us, is so particular — as a result of it means, in fact, that we’ve made you snigger and also you’ve loved it. However extra importantly, it signifies that our voices have been heard. And in a enterprise the place our voices are sometimes imitated, and never celebrated, that is actually the dignity.” 

HBO’s “Insecure” obtained this 12 months’s impression award, with Yvonne Orji and Kendrick Sampson accepting the award on the collection’ behalf. 

“It’s actually an honor to be part of such a culture-shifting present,” Sampson mentioned. “The impression [‘Insecure’] had on the neighborhood, the truth that it confirmed us the blueprint for find out how to lead the neighborhood higher than we discovered it — paying Black people what they really deserve,” he added.

Orji then acknowledged “Insecure” showrunner and star Issa Rae: “Thank you for giving us all a chance and letting HBO know and different networks know that you’ll find and uncover new expertise. Even when they don’t haven’t any IMDB credit, [they] are right here now.” 

The occasion’s presenters included Tichina Arnold (“The Neighborhood”), Nicoo Annan and Brandee Evans (“P-Valley”), Laz Alonso (“The Boys”), Dondre Whitfield, Thomas Jones (“Johnson”), Tami Roman (“The Ms. Pat Present”), Kim Coles (“Discovering Blissful”), Wayne Brady (“Let’s Make a Deal”) and Emayatzy Corinealdi. 

Under is the total record of the 2022 AAFCA TV Honors Award Recipients:

Greatest TV Comedy

“Abbott Elementary” (ABC)

Greatest TV Drama 

“Ozark” (Netflix)

Greatest New Present 

“Bel-Air” (Peacock)

Greatest Documentary 

“Black and Lacking” (HBO)

Greatest Restricted Collection/Particular 

“Girls of the Motion” (ABC)

Greatest Worldwide Manufacturing 

“Pachinko” (Apple TV+)

Breakout Star 

Quinta Brunson

Greatest Ensemble

“Swagger” (Apple TV+)

“Profitable Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” (HBO)

Greatest Writing

“A Black Woman Sketch Present” (HBO)

Greatest TV Directing 

Salli Richardson, “The Gilded Age” (HBO)

Greatest TV Appearing (Feminine)

Patina Miller, “Energy Ebook III: Elevating Kanan” (Starz)

Greatest TV Appearing (Male) 

Courtney B. Vance, “61st Avenue” (AMC)

Influence Award 

“Insecure” (HBO)