The 2015 Emmy’s Were A Remarkable Time For Black Actors – blogged by: @avah_taylor

Last night, #ViolaDavis made history by becoming the first Black woman to win an Emmy for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as #AnnaliseKeating on the #ShondaRhimes hit #HTGAWM. 

#TarajiPHenson’s nomination for her role as #Cookie in #Empire also marked the first time two Black actresses were simultaneously nominated in the category.

#DebbieAllen was the first Black woman ever to be nominated in the category back in 1982. She was nominated four consecutive times but  never won.

During her powerful acceptance speech, Davis quoted #HarrietTubman and highlighted the lack of roles on TV for women of color.

“In my mind, I see a line. And over that line I see green fields and lovely flowers and beautiful white women with their arms stretched out to me over that line. But I can’t seem to get there no how. I can’t seem to get over that line. That was Harriet Tubman in the 1800s,” an emotional Davis told audience. “And let me tell you something. The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there. So here’s to all the writers, the awesome people that are Ben Sherwood, Paul Lee, Peter Nowalk, Shonda Rhimes, people who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black. And to the Taraji P. Hensons, the Kerry Washingtons, the Halle Berrys, the Nicole Beharies, the Meagan Goods. To #GabrielleUnion. Thank you for taking us over that line. Thank you to the Television Academy. Thank you.”

The night marked a huge milestone for Black actors. 

#OITNB star #UzoAduba won her second consecutive award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and #ReginaKing took home the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for her role as #AliyahShaheed in #AmericanCrime. 

King’s Emmy win is her first in a career that’s spanned 30 years. It was also the first time she has been nominated.

Meanwhile, #RegECathy won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for #HouseofCards.