Six Moments of Immense Black Joy During the 75th Emmy Awards

It was an amazing show!

Every year, the Primetime Emmy Awards bring about some very memorable moments, but this year, Black joy was on full display. From the cast of “Martin” presenting an award to Anthony Anderson carrying the show as a host, it was a special moment in time. As we celebrate all of the awardees, we take a look at six moments of immense Black joy during the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. 

Quinta Brunson Wins a Historic First Emmy

Quinta Brunson made history as the first Black woman to win Best Actress in a Comedy in more than 30 years. The last win by a Black woman was Isabel Sanford, who took home the award in 1981 for “The Jeffersons.” Brunson delivered a tearful acceptance speech, in which she shared “I am so happy to be able to live my dream…”

Ayo Edebiri Takes Home First Emmy Award for “The Bear”

Ayo Edebiri won the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy for her work in “The Bear.” Edebiri has been sweeping awards season, winning her first Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and Emmy Award in the same week. According to Yahoo!, in her acceptance speech, Edebiri thanked her parents for making her feel Black and proud. 

“Thank you so much for loving me and letting me feel beautiful and Black and proud of all of that. I just love you so much. It’s a dream to emigrate to this country and have your child be like, ‘I want to do improv.’ Thank you so much. This means the world.” 

All Black Production Team

Even before the show started, it was already slated for greatness. This was the first time in the history of the award show that the Emmys was produced by an all-Black executive producer team, Essence reports. Considered one of TV’s biggest nights, the show was executive produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment, with two Black women, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay at the helm. Harmon is the President of Jesse Collins Entertainment, and Rouzan-Clay is SVP of Specials at the company. 

Marla Gibbs Joins Quinta Brunson in Awarding Niecy Nash

The Jeffersons alum, 92, took the stage with Quinta Brunson to present the nominees for Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the 2023 Emmy Awards, where she received a standing ovation before schooling the crowd on the ins and outs of Hollywood.

Niecy Nash Gives Moving Speech After Winning First Emmy

Niecy Nash-Betts took home her first Emmy Award for her work as concerned neighbor Glenda Cleveland in “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” CNN reports. During her acceptance speech, the veteran actress moved audiences, thanking herself for all of her hard work and accepting the award on behalf of Black women like Cleveland.

“I want to thank me – for believing in me and doing what they said I could not do. And I want to say to myself in front of all these beautiful people, ‘Go on girl with your bad self. You did that,’” Nash said in her speech. 

“Finally, I accept this award on behalf of every Black and Brown woman who has gone unheard yet overpoliced. Like Glenda Cleveland. Like Sandra Bland. Like Breonna Taylor. As an artist, my job is to speak truth to power, and baby, I’ma do it ’til the day I die. Mama, I won!,” she added.

Anthony Anderson & his mom, Doris Bowman

This was Anthony Anderson’s first time hosting the Emmy Awards, and after opening with a hilarious and nostalgic tribute to late ‘70s TV producer Norman Lear, Anderson laid the ground rules for the night, ET news reports. One of the main rules employed the help of his mother, Doris Bowman, who was tasked with keeping the flow of the show going. Everyone needed to keep their speeches short and sweet because if not, Ms. Doris was there to see to it. 

“Tonight, my mama, she is going to be the Emmys ‘Playoff mama.’ When you see my mama coming, just thank Jesus and your family and wrap it up. And I don’t want nobody to get disrespectful with my mama, because my mama is from the west side of Chicago and she can throw hands,” Anderson joked.

Rightfully so, Ms. Doris reminded her own son during his speech to hurry up so she could get to the after party. Clearly, she was already on her job!

We want more of this! Here’s hoping for a Blacktacular Emmy Awards show next year as well!