Tyler Perry, Regina King, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Malcolm D. Lee, And More Among Critics Choice Celebration Of Black Cinema And Television Honorees
The Critics Choice Association’s seventh annual Celebration of Black Cinema and Television will honor Tyler Perry, Regina King, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Malcolm D. Lee for their remarkable contributions to the industry. Set for December 9 at Los Angeles' Fairmont Century Plaza and hosted by comedian Jay Pharoah, the event will air on Starz in January 2025 and be nationally broadcast in February in celebration of Black History Month.
Perry will receive the Icon Award, highlighting his impactful career, including his upcoming Netflix film The Six Triple Eight and his achievements across 24 films, 20 stage plays, 17 shows, and the founding of Tyler Perry Studios. Lee is set to be recognized with the Career Achievement Award for films like Girls Trip and The Best Man, celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Oscar-winner King will receive the Trailblazer Award for her career-defining roles, including her recent portrayal of Shirley Chisholm in Shirley. Ellis-Taylor will be awarded the Social Impact Award for her work as an advocate and for her performances in Nickel Boys and The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can Eat.
Additional honorees include Steve McQueen with the Director Award for Blitz; Natasha Rothwell with both the Producer Award for How to Die Alone and the #TakeTheLead prize from Starz; and Angela Patton and Natalie Rae, who will receive the Documentary Award for Daughters, a Netflix documentary on father-daughter relationships amidst incarceration.
Honors will also go to Kris Bowers (Composer Award, The Wild Robot), Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), John David Washington (The Piano Lesson), Wendell Pierce (Elsbeth), and emerging talents like Jharrel Jerome, Ryan Destiny, and Michael Rainey Jr.
Reflecting on the year, executive producer Shawn Edwards highlighted that “2024 was an exceptional year” for Black storytelling, underscoring the influence of these narratives on the entertainment landscape.
