Genius: MLK/X As executive producer Reggie Rock Bythewood accepted the award for Best Miniseries/Special at the 6th Annual African American Film Critics Association (AFFCA) TV Honors on Saturday afternoon, he made a political appeal to those in attendance as he and the National Geographic series’ producing team, including his wife Gina Prince-Bythwood, commemorated the anniversary of the historic 1964 meeting between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X in the halls of the United States Capitol.

“Sixty years later, let’s pick up the baton, organize, and elect Vice President Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States,” Bythewood told the guests. “And let’s continue to make that dream a reality by any means necessary.”

The AAFCA TV Honors took place on Saturday at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in the same ballroom where the first Academy Awards were held 95 years ago. The association presented a total of 15 awards for achievements in television and streaming.

Everything American And Found Showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll received one of the event’s first major awards: the Salute to Excellence Award. She talked about how she fell in love with the 1982 musical comedy “Dolly Parton.” The most beautiful little brothel in Texas Okoro Carroll spoke about how her connection to film as a consumer influences her persistence as a storyteller today.

“I tell this story because I don’t want to listen to people telling me that our stories aren’t relatable. I don’t want to listen to them saying that our stories don’t resonate, that they’re too niche,” she said. “The truth is that our stories aren’t just great television, they’re great business. They’re universally relatable. Because if I, as a seven-year-old Nigerian girl, found a way to relate to Dolly and her ladies in The most beautiful little brothel in Texasthen I know for sure that there is a way for the world to understand our stories. And that’s why I refuse to give in.”

Streaming platform Tubi received the Ally Award for making a diverse catalog of TV shows and films available for free to its predominantly Black, Latinx, Asian and LGBTQ audiences and creating opportunities for first-time filmmakers – many of whom are people of color – to showcase their work. “We’re so fortunate to have built a really incredible relationship with Black audiences,” said Adam Lewinson, Tubi’s chief content officer. “We have thousands of films and TV shows with Black talent in front of and behind the camera and a content team that is truly passionate about the stories we tell.”

In recognition of some of the creators present in the room, such as filmmaker Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr. (Cinnamon) and screenwriter Frederick Leach (Birds in a cage), Lewinson continued, “(In the) early days, we kept hearing from the indie film community, ‘Don’t sleep on Tubi,’ and today I don’t think anyone is sleeping. I think they’re watching. And we’re really listening. We’re here to reflect the culture and help tell your stories.”

Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming at Starz, accepted the Impact Award, which was presented to Performance Universe, recognize PerformanceCreated in 2014 by showrunner Courtney A. Kemp together with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and its three spin-offs: Power Book II: Spirit, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, And Power Book IV: Strength.

“Performance “We are celebrating the momentous tenth anniversary of a groundbreaking drama that culminated in 150 hours of television with a total of over 1.6 billion hours of viewing around the world,” said Busby, who also spoke about the series’ influence on black producers.

“Performance celebrates and honors black talent too,” she continued. “In fact, Performance has done groundbreaking work with a predominantly black cast and continues to pave the way for more diverse representation on television, both in front of and behind the camera. I’m proud to say we have some of the most diverse crews in the industry across our entire company. Performance Series. The Performance The universe is one of Starz’s greatest jewels and continues to shine with new stories being told. Even after a decade on the air, it remains a cultural touchpoint with fans.”

Other winners at this year’s awards ceremony included Black Twitter: The story of a people (best documentary); Master of the skies (best ensemble); Bookmaker (best new show); Ayo Edebiri (best female actress on television —The bear); Wendell Pierce (Best Male Television Actor—Elsbeth); Without prison (best TV comedy); Channing Godfrey Peoples (best TV director— Genius: MLK/X Episode 401 “Graduation”); The Chi (best TV drama); The bear (best screenplay) and Josiah Cross (Rising Star— Master of the skies).

Glynn Turman received the ceremony’s final honor, the Legacy Award, presented to him by Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs and AAFCA member Jasmine Simpkins. He recalled a recent conversation in which it was pointed out that he was the last living actor from the troupe that performed in Lorraine Hansberry’s 1959 Broadway debut of A raisin in the sunwhich included Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee and Louis Gossett Jr., Turman said, “These people created such a space and set the bar so high for us, and that’s what I always have in the back of my mind when I choose roles, when I do my work, when I dedicate productions or performances. This is for you, Sidney, this is for you, Ruby, this is for you, Douglas Turner, this is for you, Lou Gossett. It makes it about more than just myself. It makes me want to dedicate myself to another part of what this journey is about, because I owe it.”

“I owe it to you,” Turman continued, pointing to his granddaughter who joined him on stage during his acceptance speech. “It’s about life. It’s about living. It’s about a task that we’ve been given and I don’t take it for granted. What an opportunity we have. What a journey we’re embarking on… There’s only dedication. There’s no finish line.”