Black Creators Showed Up And Showed Out At This Year’s Academy Awards: The Nominees, The Winners And The History Makers

This has been one hell of a Black History Month, but the 2019 Academy Awards may have saved us as we approach the last days of February.

The 2019 Academy Awards glimmered with the epitome of Black Excellence. While every Black hero may not have won in their category, Black filmmakers, production designers, costume designers and more showed up and swept up awards they’ve deserved for years. This year’s Black nominees and winners made history as the most Black people ever to be nominated at once at the Oscars. No other year in the history of the Oscars has had as many as six black winners.

The night started off with a bang with actress-producer Regina King winning “Best Supporting Actress” for her role in “If Beale Street Could Talk.” Following behind was Ruth E. Carter who took home an Oscar for Costume Design for her work in Black Panther, becoming the second out of two Black people to ever be nominated in the Costume Design category since the Academy created it for the 1949 awards. She is now the first Black person to win the Oscar for Costume Design.  #HannahBeachler also became the first Black person to be nominated and win an Oscar for “Best Production Design,” which she won for her designs in “Black Panther.”

The night was filled with Black firsts, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” co-director #PeterRamsey became the first Black director to be nominated in, and win the Animated Feature category. It was another great night for #MahershalaAli, as he is now the second black actor, in the history of the Oscars, to win two trophies for acting. He now shares his title with Denzel Washington who won his two Oscars for “Glory” (1989) and “Training Day” (2001). Ali welcomed a second Oscar for “Best Supporting Actor” in “Green Book.” Additionally, “Green Book” took home “Best Picture” which stars Ali, and is executively produced by #OctaviaSpencer.

Last but certainly not least, Spike Lee and Kevin Willmott won for “Best Adapted Screenplay” for “BlacKkKlansman.” The pair won for their adaptation of Ron Stallworth’s real-life story journey working as an undercover Black cop who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan.