Black Excellence: We’re Rooting For Everyone Black At This Year’s Historic Emmy Awards

In the famous words of Issa Rae, we’re “rooting for everybody BLACK” at this year’s Emmy Awards!

On Thursday, more than a third of the 101 acting nominations for the 70th annual Emmy Awards, went to actors of color, according to the Associated Press. A total number of 30 black actors and actresses were named among this year’s nominees — breaking last year’s record of 19.

This year’s black nominees include:

Sterling K. Brown (Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series), (Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series )

Jeffrey Wright (Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series)

Tracee Ellis Ross (Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series)

Issa Rae (Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series)

Anthony Anderson (Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series )

Donald Glover (Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series), Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series)

Thandie Newton (Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series)

Brian Tyree Henry (Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series)

Tituss Burgess (Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series)

Kenan Thompson (Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series)

Zazie Beetz (Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series),

Leslie Jones (Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series),

Regina King (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie)

John Legend (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie)

Brandon Victor Dixon (Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie)

Letitia Wright (Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie)

Adina Porter (Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie)

Letitia Wright (Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie)

Cicely Tyson (Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series)

Viola Davis (Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series)

Samira Wiley (Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series)

Ron Cephas Jones (Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series)

Kelly Jenrette (Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series),

Maya Rudolph (Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series)

Wanda Sykes (Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series)

Tiffany Haddish (Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series)

Katt Williams (Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series)

DeStorm Power (Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series )

Melvin Jackson Jr. (Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series)

Diarra Kilpatrick (Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series)

Since 2016, the Emmys have seen a steady increase surrounding nominees of color. According to a report by Variety, nearly 25% of acting nominees were non-white for the 2016 Emmy Awards, with 18 actors of color being nominated for “the major 73 acting nominations in the categories of lead and supporting performers in drama, comedy, and limited series.”

However, this year seems to be a bit of a major improvement. “I think we’re all happy with the direction we’re going,” TV Academy President, Maury McIntyre told the Associated Press. “This is the most diverse class of performer nominees we’ve had … which is fantastic.”

Since Harry Belafonte became the first actor to win an Emmy in 1960, for his TV special “Tonight with Belafonte,” at least one black nominee has won in every acting category except Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

To echo McIntyre’s thoughts on the TV Academy’s efforts, Issa Rae feels “optimistic” about the future. On Thursday, the “Insecure” writer-producer expressed her gratitude on Instagram for her 2018 Emmy nod.

“To watch so many of my heroes, peers and ‘peer-oes’ get recognized for the last couple of years has been so rewarding and made me feel so optimistic about the direction of this industry,” she wrote to her 2 million Instagram followers.

“To be recognized among them now is such an honor. WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED AND WE’RE GOING TO MAKE SURE WE’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE. Thank you to my @InsecureHBO family, for making this possible. #Emmys”

The 70th annual Primetime Emmys telecast, hosted by Colin Jost and Michael Che, will air on NBC Sept. 17.