Genius: MLK/X Accepting the award for best limited series/special at the sixth annual African American Film Critics Association (AFFCA) TV Honors on Saturday afternoon, executive producer Reggie Rock Bythewood made a political appeal to attendees as he and the National Geographic series’ production team, which also includes his wife Gina Prince-Bythwood, marked the anniversary of the historic meeting between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X in the hallways of the U.S. Capitol in 1964.
“Sixty years later, let’s pick up the baton, let’s organize, let’s elect Vice President Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States,” Bythewood told guests. “And by any means necessary, let’s continue to make the dream a reality.”
The AAFCA TV Honors took place Saturday at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in the same ballroom where the Academy Awards were first held 95 years ago. The association presented a total of 15 awards recognizing achievements in television and streaming.
All American AND Found Showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll received one of the event's first major honors: the Salute to Excellence Award. She recounted how she fell in love with Dolly Parton's 1982 musical comedy The best little brothel in Texas As a child, Okoro Carroll spoke of how her connection to film as a consumer influenced her current tenacity as a storyteller.
“I tell this story because I refuse to listen when I hear people tell me that our stories are not understandable. I refuse to listen when they say that our stories don't travel, that they are too niche,” she said. “The truth is that our stories are not just big TV, they are big business. They are universally understandable. Because if I, a seven-year-old Nigerian girl, found a way to relate to Dolly and her women in The best little brothel in Texasthen I know for sure that there is a way for the larger world to relate to our stories. And that is why I refuse to back down.”
Streaming platform Tubi received the Ally Award for providing a diverse catalog of free TV and movies to its predominantly Black, Latino, Asian and LGBTQ audiences and for creating opportunities for first-time filmmakers, many of whom are Black, to showcase their work. “We are so fortunate to have built such an incredible relationship with Black audiences,” said Tubi Chief Content Officer Adam Lewinson. “We have thousands of films and TV shows from Black talent in front of and behind the camera, and a content team that is truly passionate about the stories we choose to tell.”
Paying homage to some of the creators present in the room, such as director Bryan Keith Montgomery Jr. (Cinnamon) and screenwriter Fredrick Leach (Birds in a cage), Lewinson continued, “[In the] In the early days, we kept hearing from the independent film community, “Don't sleep on Tubi,” and today, I don't think anyone's sleeping. I think they're watching. And we're really listening. We're here to reflect the culture and help you tell your stories.”
Starz President of Original Programming Kathryn Busby received the Impact Award which went to Energy Universe, recognizing Energycreated by showrunner Courtney A. Kemp along with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson in 2014, and its three spin-offs: Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, AND Power Book IV: Strength.
“Energy celebrates a milestone 10th anniversary of a groundbreaking drama, culminating in 150 hours of television, totaling more than 1.6 billion hours watched worldwide,” said Busby, who also spoke about the impact the series has had on Black creators.
“Energy also celebrates and honors black talent,” he continued, “In fact, Energy has led the way by featuring a predominantly black cast and continues to lead the way for more diverse representation on television, both in front of and behind the camera. I can proudly say that we have some of the most diverse crews in the industry across our Energy series. The Energy “The Starz Universe is one of Starz’s greatest jewels and continues to shine with new stories to be told, remaining a cultural touchpoint for fans, even after a decade on the air.”
Other winners of this year's awards included Black Twitter: The Story of a People (best documentary); The masters of the air (best ensemble); Bookmaker (Best New Show); Ayo Edebiri (Best TV Actress —The bear); Wendell Pierce (Best Male Actor on TV—Elsbeth); Without prison (Best TV Comedy); Channing Godfrey Peoples (Best TV Direction— Genius: MLK/X Episode 401 “Graduation”); The Who (best TV series – drama); The bear (Best Screenplay) and Josiah Cross (Breakthrough Star— The masters of the air).
Glynn Turman received the ceremony's final honor, the Legacy Award, presented by Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs and AAFCA member Jasmine Simpkins. Recalling a recent conversation in which it was noted that he is the last living actor in the company that starred in Lorraine Hansberry's 1959 Broadway debut, A bunch of grapes in the sunwhich included Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee and Louis Gossett Jr., Turman said, “These people created such a space and set such a high bar for us to commit to, and that's what I always keep in mind when I'm selecting parts, when I'm doing my work, when I'm committing productions or performances. This is for you, Sidney, this is for you, Ruby, this is for you, Douglas Turner, this is for you, Lou Gossett. That makes it more than personal. It makes me commit to a different part of what the journey is all about because I have to.”
“I owe it to you,” Turman continued, gesturing to his granddaughter who had joined him on stage during his acceptance speech. “It’s about life. It’s about living. It’s about a job we’ve been given that I don’t take for granted. What an opportunity we have. What a journey we’re on… There’s just dedication. There’s no finish line.”