Everybody Black And Winning At the 2021 Emmys

By Rivea Ruff ·September 19, 2021 Updated

Tonight’s Emmy Awards brought out stars from both behind and in front of the camera, including a groundbreaking number of Black nominees in acting categories.

This year sees at least one actor of color nominated in every single acting category, with HBO’s now-canceled Lovecraft Country leading the way with a Black actor nominated in each drama acting subcategory despite its cancelation after only one season on-air.

See more of the ever-growing list of other actors and TV creators taking home Emmy gold this year:

01Michaela CoelMichaela Coel dedicated her Emmy for Writing For A Limited/Anthology Series Or Movie For ‘I May Destroy You’ to survivors of sexual assault and shared a word for writers, in particular, saying: “Write the tale that scares you, that makes you feel uncomfortable.” 02Renée Elise Goldsberry – Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)Renée stunned audiences as the lead sister Angelica Schuyler in Disney +’s Hamilton, giving a rousing acceptance speech on behalf of the entire cast. 03Ali Barthwell – Outstanding Writing For A Variety SeriesAli’s comedic spin on serious social topics, world news, and political issues earned her a trophy for her work on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. 04RuPaul – Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Competition Program16-time Nominee and 10-time winner, RuPaul took home the nod for Outstanding Host and for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program for RuPaul’s Drag Race this year. 05Maya Rudolph –Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy SeriesOnly the fourth Black Actress to win in this category, Maya Rudolph has now taken home the honor for her hosting performances on SNL two years in a row. 06Dave Chappelle – Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy SeriesDave’s hosting gig on Saturday Night Live during the height of the pandemic granted him Emmy gold. 07Daveed Diggs – Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)Daveed Diggs was granted a statuette for his memorable turn as Thomas Jefferson on Hamilton. 08Courtney B. Vance – Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama SeriesHis brief-yet-powerful performance on Lovecraft Country left a huge impression on both the fans and the academy. 09Jasmine Cephas Jones – Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)Jasmine Cephas Jones joined her Hamilton castmates in their big Emmy win for her role as both Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds. 10Okieriete Onaodowan – Outstanding Variety SpecialOkieriete Onaodowan sang his way into the Television Academy’s hearts with his performance as James Madison on Disney +’s Hamilton. 11Debbie Allen – Governors Award HonoreeThe legendary choreographer, actress, director, and producer and 21-time Emmy nominee not only took home the Television Academy’s highest honor but two other statuettes – one for Outstanding Choreography For Scripted Programming and another for Outstanding Made for Television Movie.