AAFCA Awards 2022: Courtney B. Vance, Robin Thede and More TV Honorees Talk Representation, Equal Pay and All-Black Writers’ Room

variety.com:

Michaela Zee editorThe African American Film Critics Association held its fourth annual AAFCA Awards on Saturday to honor outstanding work in television.

During the ceremony, Courtney B. Vance, Robin Thede, Yvonne Orji and other honorees reflected on the importance of representation, opportunities for emerging talent, and equal pay for Black creatives in the industry. “It takes a lot for me to physically move away from my family for nine months in a pandemic and do this work.

It’s not something I take lightly,” Vance, who received the best TV acting (male) award for “61st Street,” said in his acceptance speech at the SLS Hotel in Los Angeles. “But I also do not take lightly the responsibility I have as a man — as a Black man, a husband, a father — to make sure that I help tell stories and make a difference for all of us.” This year’s honorees also included “Bel-Air,” “Swagger,” “Women of the Movement” and Salli Richardson for “The Gilded Age.” Quinta Brunson not only scored the best TV comedy award, the “Abbott Elementary” creator, writer and producer was also honored with the AAFCA’s breakout star.“A Black Lady Sketch Show” creator and star Robin Thede — who was awarded the accolade for best writing — emphasized how inclusion is not only necessary on screen, but behind the camera as well.“When our writers start in the ‘Black Lady Sketch Show’ writers’ room, there always is a moment on their first day where they look around and go, ‘I knew it was all Black women, but I didn’t know it was all Black women,’ Thede said. “And I think that being in that space where we don’t have to explain what a Senegalese twist is, is the magic of the show.” Thede continued, “Winning the writing award for me is so special — for all of us,.