Celebrating Black talent is always in vogue. The Critics Choice Association (CCA) has announced its full slate of honorees for the 9th annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television, and this year’s recipients exemplify the stellar art the community creates on and off-screen.
The Critics Choice Association’s annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television gives Black storytelling the recognition it deserves for its artistry, influence and range. The inaugural event, held in January 2014, celebrated the talent behind and in front of the camera on films including 12 Years a Slave, Fruitvale Station, 42, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and The Best Man Holiday. The Critics Choice Association joined the honors in 2021, expanding its platform to celebrate representation in film and television.
The 9th annual honoree recipients are:
Debbie Allen, Icon Award: The 2026 EBONY Power 100 recipient will be recognized for her extraordinary career and enduring cultural impact across nearly five decades as director, producer and actor, along with her hand in the return of EBONY’s September cover subject, A Different World, which had a phenomenal first season run and is set to return to Netflix for a second season.
Quinta Brunson, Groundbreaker Award: Celebrating the showrunner and star of Abbott Elementary, currently in its sixth season, and recognizing Brunson’s two Emmy wins for Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy.
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Vanguard Award: Recognizing his work in A24’s psychological horror film Backrooms, which has more than $400 million worldwide, and his longstanding career in front of the camera.
Chris Rock, Director Award: Honored for writing, producing, directing and starring in the indie feature Misty Green, which offers an inside look at the not-so-glamorous life of a fallen Hollywood starlet and the difficult choices she makes.
Lamorne Morris, Comedy Award: Recognizing his work in Prime Video’s superhero series Spider-Noir, which won five Primetime Emmy Awards in 2026.
Katori Hall, Showrunner Award: The Pulitzer Prize winner will be honored for creating and showrunning STARZ’s P-Valley, which premieres its third and final season in December.
Jaafar Jackson, Actor Award – Film: Honoring his critically acclaimed acting debut in Michael and its upcoming planned sequel.
Anthony Mackie, Actor Award – Series: Recognizing his work in Apple TV’s upcoming 12 12 12, which he also executive produces.
Stephan James, Supporting Actor Award – Film: Celebrating his portrayal of Carl Weathers in Amazon MGM Studios’ I Play Rocky.
Sophie Okonedo, Supporting Actress Award – Film: Honoring her work in the independent coming-of-age drama Mouse.
Ato Essandoh, Supporting Actor Award – Series: Recognizing his work as Stuart Hayford in Netflix’s drama series The Diplomat, nominated for Outstanding Drama Series at the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2025 and 2026.
Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Supporting Actress Award – Series: Recognizing her critically acclaimed role as Nora Washington in Hulu’s Furious. Bernstine’s award will come with a special STARZ #TakeTheLead designation as part of its ongoing commitment to amplifying narratives by, about, and for women and underrepresented audiences.
Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri, Breakthrough Director Award: Honoring the twin brother duo behind NEON’s Clarissa, a reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway set in contemporary Lagos, Nigeria.
Jaalen Best, Rising Star Award: Celebrating his performance as Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) in Prime Video’s upcoming biographical drama series The Greatest, the first authorized scripted series about Ali’s life, with executive producers including his widow, Lonnie Ali, Josh Wakely and Michael B. Jordan.
The Critics Choice Association’s 9th annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television will take place on November 16, 2026, in Los Angeles. Emmy-nominated actor and comedian Roy Wood Jr. will host.