#Emmys2020 Sets Record: 34.3% Of Acting Nominees Are Black

The nominees for this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards have been unveiled and it’s a joyous moment for Black actors as more than 34% of the acting nominees this year are from the Black community.

According to Variety, the Television Academy set a record by nominating 34.3% Black artists in the acting categories. Out of all the 102 acting nominees, 35 are Black and this is a substantial increase from last year’s nominations.

The media outlet reported that only 19.8% of the nominees in 2019 were Black while in 2018, the percentage of Black actors in the nominations was at 27.7%.

Frank Scherma, chairman and CEO of Television Academy, revealed that the world is witnessing “one of the greatest fights” for social justice in history and the organization must use its platform to promote “change.” He also opined that the television does not only give people a medium to “escape,” but it also amplifies the stories that must be seen by the world.

“2020 is not just about the global health crisis. This year we are also bearing witness to one of the greatest fights for social justice in history, and it is our duty to used this medium for change. That is the power and responsibility of television — not only delivering a multitude of services or a little escapism but also amplifying the voices that must be heard and telling the stories that must be told. Because television, by its very nature, connects us all,” said Variety quoted Scherma, as saying.

The Black actors nominated in the acting categories include the likes of Don Cheadle (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series), Anthony Anderson (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series), Issa Rae (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series), Tracee Ellis Ross (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series), and Mahershala Ali (Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series).

Sterling K. Brown (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series), Eddie Murphy (Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series), Billy Porter (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series), Zendaya (Oustanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series), Regina King (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series) and many more are also nominated this year.

The 2020 Emmy Awards will take place on Sept. 20 and Jimmy Kimmel is set to host this year’s virtual ceremony.