Black Excellence: Donald Glover and Lena Waithe Make History at 2017 Emmy Awards

On Sunday, black excellence took over the 2017 Emmy Awards after Donald Glover and Lena Waithe made history, becoming the first black winners in their categories.

Glover, who has been a fan-favorite in all aspects of his very diverse career, took home his very first Emmy award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for his FX dramedy “Atlanta.” The win etched Glover’s name in the Emmy record books, as he became the first-ever black director to win in that category. He also snapped the four-year streak of female directors, who previously dominated the category.

“Man! First I want to thank the great algorithm that put us all here,” Glover said, during his acceptance speech. “I want to thank my parents, who are in the audience. This is nuts! …I just love everybody out here for letting me be up here, so thank you. Thank you all.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

In turn, Waithe became the first-ever black woman to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for her work on the “Thanksgiving” episode from season 2 of “Master of None.”

“I see each and every one of you,” she said, during her speech. “The things that make us different, those are our superpowers. Every day when you walk out the door, put on your imaginary cape and go out there and conquer the world because the world would not be as beautiful as it is if we weren’t in it.”

Congratulations to Glover and Waithe on their historical night!