Kerry Washington Wants to See a World Where Black “Firsts” Are No Longer News [Video]

Kerry Washington is ready for a future where Black achievements are so commonplace that celebrating “firsts” is no longer necessary.

While speaking to Baller Alert on the NAACP Image Awards red carpet, Washington was asked about a final barrier she hopes Black people can overcome. Her answer? The need to constantly acknowledge being the “first” to do something.

“I’d like us to stop having to acknowledge firsts, cuz we’ve just been in all the rooms and done all the things,” Washington said.

The Emmy-winning actress has long been an advocate for diversity and representation in Hollywood, breaking barriers herself with her historic role as Olivia Pope on Scandal—a performance that made her the first Black woman to lead a primetime network drama in nearly 40 years.

Washington also shared her excitement for her upcoming film Shadow Force, a Black-led action romance starring herself and Omar Sy (Lupin). The film, set to release May 2, blends action, drama, and love, something she says was a “dream come true” to work on.