*Black History Month and the 2025 SAG Awards? Yeah…it kind of happened. The Screen Actor Guild Awards, an event celebrating top performances in film and television isn’t known for their racial diversity, so I had to find it.
While the red carpet showcased a diverse array of talent, a powerful undercurrent resonated throughout the evening: the urgent need for greater Black representation not just in front of the camera, but behind it as well. The presence and contributions of Black artists, including attendees and nominees like Marissa Bode, Pearl Mackie, and Nana Mensah, served as a powerful reminder of the strides made and the stories yet to be told.
Among the many talented individuals present, Sheryl Lee Ralph, nominated for “Abbott Elementary,” looking as beautiful as ever, stood out as a powerful voice per usual. She emphasized the critical need for “More, more, more! Get beyond everything you think or thought about someone based upon their color, their shade, and think about who that human being is!”
On the other hand, while interviewing Linda Powell, SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President, and Michelle Hurd, SAG-AFTRA National Board Member, they reiterated SAG-AFTRA’s commitment to diversity.
“We [Black people] are represented in this union in the volunteer membership, volunteer leadership. We get out there and serve. Diversity is part of the SAG-AFTRA constitution, it’s on the first page. We are invested in ensuring that the American scene is seen.”
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Seeing these beautiful Black women emphasize the union’s dedication to ensuring equitable opportunities for all its members, both in front of and behind the camera, gave me some hope. These powerful voices, representing the leadership of SAG-AFTRA, highlights the importance and duality of this ongoing conversation.
The 2025 SAG Awards red carpet, while a celebration of talent in general, became a time for EURweb to celebrate black culture. When I posed the question, “What do you love about your people, your culture?” Some of the most beautiful words came out of the mouth of SAG nominated ‘Hacks’ star Carl Clemons-Hawkins. This black man stood there in all of his 6’2 glory and said to me:
“We are un-f***ing-stoppable. There is no administration. There’s no country, no idea of a country. There’s no idea of a regime, an empire, there’s nothing that can stop us. And anyone who tries to stop us is a stupid idiot.”
Yes, Black man from Lithonia, GA! Make it plain for the people. With his energy, the fight for equitable opportunities for Black creatives is unstoppable. Let’s move with that force in 2025.
About our associate: LaCora Stephens is a journalist, talk show host and media director. Contact her at www.LaCoraStephens.com
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