The Critics Choice Association (CCA) has announced the full list of winners for the seventh annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television awards. The ceremony, which will happen on December 9, will be hosted by “Saturday Night Live” actor and comedian Jay Pharoah. Celebrating exceptional performances and work in Black Entertainment, this 12 months’s honorees are a mixture of heritage and emerging talent.

“We are proud to recognize this year’s group of outstanding honorees,” Shawn Edwards, executive producer and author of Celebration of Black Cinema & Television, said in a press release. “2024 was a special year. There have been so many great stories about the Black experience, and this event is a celebration of the power of these stories to shape and move the entertainment industry. “It is a true acknowledgment of the profound influence of black cinema and television on culture and society today.”

CCA’s seventh annual celebration of Black Cinema and Television, recognizing work done on and off screen, will honor producer-director Tyler Perry with an Icon Award for his profession achievements up to now – which incorporates his 24 movies, 20 plays and 17 television shows and founding Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.

Similarly, Malcolm D. Lee, who directed “The Best Man” movies, will receive a profession achievement award for his “exemplary work as a writer and director.” Other directors will also be honored at this 12 months’s gala, including: Steve McQueen, Angela Patton and Natalie Rae. Actress and producer Natasha Rothwell will be honored with not one, but two awards for her work on Hulu’s “How to Die Alone.”

From established actors like Wendell Pierce and John David Washington to rising stars like Michael Rainey Jr. and Ryan Destiny, the annual awards ceremony goals to present black stars with flowers. This 12 months’s Celebration of Black Cinema & Television will also honor actress Regina King with a Trailblazer Award for her profession and role on Netflix’s “Shirley.” Cynthia Erivo will also be honored for her role as Elphaba in the highly anticipated 2024 film adaptation of “Wicked.”

CSW will also honor the work of black actors beyond the big screen with a Social Impact Award. This 12 months’s award goes to Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor for her social justice work. In addition to starring in social justice projects comparable to “When They See Us” and “Nickle Boys,” Ellis-Taylor is the founding father of Miss Myrtis Films and co-founder of Take It Down America, an initiative to take down the Confederate flag in Mississippi.

The Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Black Cinema and Television will be available on Starz in January and will air nationwide in February in honor of Black History Month.

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Fifty years later, comedian and actor Garrett Morris remembers what it was wish to be the only black solid member and author on the inaugural solid of “Saturday Night Live” in 1975.

Said by the 87-year-old actor Guardian in a recent interview that after working in the experimental theater scene in Harlem under constant threat from the authorities, it was a much safer working environment. However, it was not effortlessly, namely racism.

“I will repeat until the end of my days: there was a lot of racism among the Lorne writers,” the star told the outlet.

He continued: “Sam Lorne? Zero racism. Because, remember, once I was hired, I used to be the only black author. Lorne wanted someone black on TV at night. People didn’t want it. They demanded that all the things be white. He didn’t do it.

The actor explained that he was initially hired as a author until Michaels was introduced to his role in the film as a history teacher.

“Because of this, I was asked to audition for Not Ready for Prime Time Players (then the working title of SNL),” Morris told the publication. “And I went from being a writer to being part of the group.”

Breaking boundaries in the fight against stereotypes

Despite the series’ success, the “Martin” star described a difficult period in her life drug fueledit involved “bad choices” and was marked by an try and resist being pigeonholed.

“It really touched me when we watched the first performance. I didn’t have the skit, but I watched another one. I told Lorne, “There’s a doctor in this skit.” Why don’t I play doctor? And he goes, “Garrett, a black doctor can dump people,” he said, adding, “Well, I came from New Orleans, where you are surrounded by black doctors and black PhD students. For that matter, in all the big cities in the south.

Among Morris’ breakout characters in the comedy sketch was Chico Escuela, a Dominican Major League player whose only line was, “Base-e-bol was damn good to me.” Another favorite moment was the introduction of the deaf translator on the update desk who simply repeated the message Chevy Chase delivered louder without signing it.

Morris explained how he tried to imbue his characters with something apart from stereotypical images of Black people. Still, Morris and his time on , where he contributed to 99 episodes, have change into synonymous with typecasting of black actors in Hollywood.

Regardless, Morris said, “I’m proud to have played a small role in the beginning and to have created a chair for a non-white performer.”

Morris’ undeniable influence on the legendary series is highlighted in the upcoming film “Saturday Night,” which chronicles the show’s debut night. Actor Lamorne Morris, no relation, plays Morris. Even though they haven’t any relationship, Lamorne shared with Washington Post Office as they share what it means to be the only black guy in a solid. Lamorne became famous for playing Winston Bishop, the only black roommate on the hit comedy “New Girl.”

ON “Kelly Clarkson Show”, Lamorne joked about how he grew up telling other people that Garrett Morris was his father. Because of this, Lamorne spent his life imitating Morris on television. He had a lot experience playing Morris for sport that he was in a position to put together an audition tape for the role inside minutes of being asked to submit it.

“I booked it the very next day,” Lamorne said.

He said of Morris: “If you walk into a room with Garrett, he’s the most talented person. He did all the things. The man helped desegregate labor unions. He protested during the Civil Rights Movement. Then he’s on SNL. I mean, you recognize what you call it.

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In her 40s, “The Real Housewives of Potomac” star Dr. Wendy Osefo prioritizes her own happiness and being a source of happiness for those round her. That’s why it might surprise some that she actually spent her milestone birthday filming a girls’ trip for the show’s ninth season.

In the newest episode, the women travel to the Queen City, also often called Charlotte, North Carolina, to have a good time Osefo and showcase the brand new faces which have joined the solid this season. Things get interesting after a fast and expected argument over rooms in the ladies’s lake house, and several people begin to exchange their grievances.

“Well, there’s always something special about these ladies,” Osefo said, adding, “But overall, I had a great time.”

The wife and mother of three said the shooting took place on her actual birthday, May 21, and that it was the primary time she spent her birthday away from family members.

“We got to Charlotte the day before my birthday,” she continued. “So in the next episode, which you will start this morning, it will be my real birthday. And so I spent my 40th birthday with these ladies. Talk about growth, right?”

With five seasons under her belt, Osefo’s growth is not solely as a result of her well-deserved veteran status on RHOP. Turning 40 and reaching this point in her life also influenced her evolution.

When the world first met Osefo in 2020, during her rookie season, she was a professor at Johns Hopkins University and a political commentator. Since then, when she stepped down from her professorship to spend more time together with her family, her status as a bigwig has only increased. Osefo can now add talk show host, founder of a house furnishings brand and creator to her growing list of accomplishments.

“I’m in such a good place,” she said of her 40th birthday.

She noted that, in her opinion, everyone has the power to “transfer energy not only to themselves, but also to other people.”

“For me, turning 40 is not only about being happy, but also about making sure that I am a source of happiness for those around me,” added Osefo, who earned the nickname “Zen Wen” on the series.

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Of course, an on-screen journey is not the only way Osefo celebrated its 40th anniversary. Later within the season, viewers will likely be treated to a celebration celebrating her 40th birthday; she also revealed an epic family trip to Paris, France on social media.

According to Osefo, getting so far in life has involved learning tips on how to balance pursuing multiple dreams while giving yourself the crucial grace.

“I realized that you have to juggle, but you also have to know that not every day will be the best day in a given field,” she explained.

The creator continued: “Sometimes I do great in motherhood. I’m doing my homework. I supervise field trips. I’m cooking dinner. I say to myself, “Wow, you’re really doing well at motherhood.” But then I check my inbox and I have like over 100 unread emails and I’ve learned to give myself grace.”

She added: “I think we all need to learn that if you put up with a lot of things, there will be days where you excel in one area more than others, and that’s okay. It’s all about balance.”

Another area of ​​life wherein Osefo finds balance is having a public profile at a time when black women are more visible and scrutinized.

“I think right now is such a beautiful and inspiring time,” she said, adding: “I can’t emphasize the word ‘inspiring’ enough. This is an incredibly inspiring time to be a woman, and a black woman at that. It’s almost as if we’ve been waiting for these types of moments for so long to truly be at the forefront of change. Because the truth is, historically speaking, we’ve always been there. Our participation in this event was simply not appreciated.”

Osefo said viewers are in for some major twists this season.

“One day you’ll think, ‘Oh, they’re doing well. It just feels so light and airy. And then, out of nowhere, someone throws a curveball and starts some rumor,” she revealed, adding. “It’s just a constant roller coaster ride.”

Discussing the conflict that may escalate from season to season, Osefo said that after five seasons, she has learned to not take it personally.

“The truth is, I didn’t learn about it my freshman 12 months, I’ll be honest with you. It’s something you could have to learn. You cannot take it personally,” she emphasized.

Fortunately, turning 40 has given Osefo greater insight into tips on how to take care of conflict on the show – and in life.

“I’m 40 years old, I’m starting a new chapter and I just have a completely new perspective on life,” she noted. “I actually imagine that we’re all here to be great and we’re all here to have a good time. We weren’t placed on this earth to be miserable and unhappy. So if someone or something disturbs your happiness, you could excuse yourself from such situations.

Ultimately, Osefo said she is grateful to her personal community for helping her rise above unnecessary drama.

“I just try to keep in touch with my family,” she said, adding: “I believe once you surround yourself with individuals who know the true you, it really doesn’t matter if you happen to know what another person knows who doesn’t even comprehend it. I do know you are fascinated with yourself.”