Last month, after a week of ancillary celebrations (including a fashion show, gala, and gospel-themed brunch) honoring a year’s worth of Black entertainment and media, some of the best of Black Hollywood gathered at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA for the 55th NAACP Image Awards live show telecast.
GLAAD’s Communities of Color and Media team was on the ground at the live show red carpet, interviewing some of our industry favorites as they arrived for a night of community and festivity. We had the opportunity to chat with eight Black LGBTQ entertainers and allies about Black queer representation in film and television, support for Black LGBTQ youth and fans (including those in countries like Ghana and Uganda, where anti-LGBTQ legislation criminalizes LGBTQ people just for being who they are), and their hopes for the future of the industry.
The full interviews from our time on the Image Awards carpet are available now on GLAAD’s Youtube. Interviews are also accessible at the links below, along with highlights of each of the inspiring and engaging conversations we had.
—
BRYAN TERRELL CLARK
Bryan Terrell Clark, an out actor playing an openly queer character on Diarra From Detroit, joined GLAAD on the red carpet to discuss authenticity in film and television for Black LGBTQ entertainers, holding onto queer joy, and finding your community. Early in the interview, Clark reflected on the surreal quality of the moment, saying “I’ve always wanted to be at an awards show like this. The thing that I did not take into consideration, is that I would be able to do it in my full authenticity.”
KELLEY KALI
Sharing her thoughts on what’s in store for the future of Black storytelling and what excites her, Director Kelley Kali said: “We need more Black executives. We need more LGBTQ+ executives. We need the people who greenlight these stories in those seats.” While talking with GLAAD, Kali also discussed her experience creating stories centered around marginalized communities and the importance of truly caring about the projects you work on and the stories you choose to tell.
EMMOLEI SANKOFA
Emmolei Sankofa, a film and television composer who worked on Hulu’s The Other Black Girl, spoke with GLAAD on the red carpet to share a moving message about the necessity of being authentically yourself and creating equity and access to resources for Black women working in the industry.
BRUCE COHEN
Bruce Cohen joined GLAAD on the red carpet to discuss his role as a producer on Rustin, a powerful film about the life and legacy of Civil Rights activist Bayard Rustin. While chatting with GLAAD, Cohen shared the joy and excitement of being able to share such an important piece of history, particularly Black queer history, that isn’t taught in schools.
DANIELLE PINNOCK
Shining with her brilliance and enthusiasm, Danielle Pinnock, who stars in Ghosts, talked with us about practicing self care, creating a legacy, and the support she’s received from LGBTQ friends and communities. Pinnock had high praise for Rustin and fellow actor Colman Domingo, and shared that she “wouldn’t be here without the queer community.”
RUTH JACKS
Ruth Jacks, a Senior Executive with Wells Fargo, was a force on the red carpet, discussing representation of Black LGBTQ people in media and in corporate America and the critical need for authenticity. Jacks also shared her support for Black LGBTQ youth, saying that she wants kids to know “no matter how you identify, do it within your own comfort zone and make sure that you are being true to you.”
KHARMONY FORTUNE
Our friend, and an alumni of the Black Queer Creative Summit (BQCS), Director Kharmony Fortune stopped by GLAAD’s spot on the red carpet to discuss navigating the entertainment industry, affirming yourself consistently, and walking in your truth. Her warmth, love, and support for the GLAAD family and Black LGBTQ youth and people around the globe was genuine and deeply received.
DEWAYNE PERKINS
Industry darling Dewayne Perkins, an actor, writer, producer, comedian, and the mind behind The Blackening, talked with GLAAD about what it means to be nominated for an Image Award as a Black queer person and the importance of providing affirming images and media for Black LGBTQ youth and people to see themselves represented.
Reflecting on hopes for the future of the industry, Perkins said: “I think even with the successes that are being made behind the scenes, there’s so much more that could be done. And knowing how much energy it takes to try to fight to get these stories told, [that’s] energy being taken away from creating. And so I really wish that queer artists will come up in a space where that energy can go into them simply creating and that the people before them have fought enough.”
—
Overall, the 55th NAACP Image Awards celebrations were truly momentous occasions, and a firm step towards progress in terms of recognition for Black LGBTQ media and representation in the entertainment industry. We look forward to standing alongside the NAACP and BET next awards season to continue celebrating and uplifting many more Black queer films, television, and talent.