Critics Choice Celebration of Black Cinema & Television Honors Trailblazers
The ninth annual Critics Choice Celebration of Black Cinema & Television will honor Debbie Allen, Quinta Brunson, and Chris Rock among others in Los Angeles on November 16, 2026, with the ceremony streaming in December.
The Critics Choice Association's ninth annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television will honor Black creators and performers in Los Angeles on November 16, 2026. The event, which will premiere on the association's official YouTube channel in December, spotlights excellence amid a time described by organizers as a direct assault on Black culture and history. Comedian Roy Wood Jr. will host the ceremony, which is produced by Madelyn Hammond, Javier Infante and Ella Carlson of Hammond Infante Productions.
Executive producer Shawn Edwards emphasized the organization's continued commitment to recognizing Black artists and storytellers. The full list of honorees was announced on a Tuesday.
Key honorees and their achievements
Debbie Allen will receive the Icon Award for a career spanning nearly five decades. She has more than 140 acting, producing, and directing credits. Her work includes producing and directing 83 of 144 episodes of A Different World, where she also appeared as Dr. Langhorne. Allen returns as an executive producer and director of the show's 2026 Netflix sequel, which has been renewed for a second season.
Quinta Brunson will be given the Groundbreaker Award for creating, executive producing, and starring in ABC's Abbott Elementary. The show premiered its sixth season on October 7 and has earned 37 Emmy nominations. Brunson made Emmy history in 2022 as the first solo Black woman to win for comedy writing. In 2024, she became the first Black actress in over 40 years to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
Lamorne Morris earns the Comedy Award for his role as Robbie Robertson in Prime Video's Spider-Noir. The series earned 11 Emmy nominations and won five.
Film and television recognition
The ceremony celebrates achievements across both film and television. A table of key honorees and their associated projects illustrates the range of work being recognized.
| Honoree | Award | Recognized For | Key Project Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chiwetel Ejiofor | Vanguard Award | Role in A24's Backrooms | Film grossed $81.4M domestically, over $400M worldwide |
| Chris Rock | Director Award | Writing, directing, producing Misty Green | Premiered at TIFF; theatrical release began Oct. 9 |
| Jaafar Jackson | Actor Award, Film | Debut role as Michael Jackson in Michael | Biopic grossed over $1B worldwide |
| Anthony Mackie | Actor Award, Series | Role in Apple TV's 12 12 12 | Series premieres globally Nov. 13; Mackie also executive produces |
| Ato Essandoh | Supporting Actor Award, Series | Role in Netflix's The Diplomat | Series returned for its fourth season Oct. 15 |
| Quincy Tyler Bernstine | Supporting Actress Award, Series | Role in Hulu's Furious | 2026 thriller created by Elizabeth Meriwether |
| Sophie Okonedo | Supporting Actress Award, Film | Role in Mouse | Drama premiered at Berlin Film Festival |
| Stephan James | Supporting Actor Award, Film | Portrayal of Carl Weathers in I Play Rocky | Biopic directed by Peter Farrelly, opens in November |
| Arie & Chuko Esiri | Breakthrough Director Award | Directing Neon's Clarissa | Premiered at 2026 Cannes; opens in theaters Dec. 11 |
| Jaalen Best | Rising Star Award | Role as Cassius Clay in The Greatest | Series premieres on Prime Video Nov. 4 |
| Katori Hall | Showrunner Award | Creating and directing P-Valley | Final season returns Dec. 4; Season 2 averaged 11.6M viewers |
Starz will bestow a special Starz #TakeTheLead designation on Bernstine's award. This is part of its commitment to amplifying narratives by, about, and for women and underrepresented audiences.
Event production and presentation
The event will be hosted by Roy Wood Jr., known for his work on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and CNN's Have I Got News for You. The Critics Choice Association's Celebration of Black Cinema & Television will be produced by Madelyn Hammond, Javier Infante and Ella Carlson of Hammond Infante Productions.
The ceremony will premiere on the Critics Choice Association's official YouTube channel in December.
