Some of the biggest names in film and television will be honored at the 9th annual Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Black Cinema & Television.
The organization announced its full slate of honorees on Tuesday for the event recognizing achievements onscreen and behind the scenes.
During the ceremony on Nov. 16, Debbie Allen will receive the Icon Award for her nearly five-decade career as an actress, producer, director, and choreographer. Her tribute will also celebrate the legacy of A Different World and its 2026 Netflix sequel.
Quinta Brunson will accept the Groundbreaker Award for creating, executive producing, and starring in ABC’s Abbott Elementary. The school comedy returned for its sixth season on Oct. 7.
Chris Rock will receive the Director Award for Misty Green, his fourth feature as a director. Rock also wrote, produced, and co-stars in the film, which features Rosalind Eleazar as an actress fighting to revive her career.
Chiwetel Ejiofor will be presented with the Vanguard Award for his work in A24’s psychological horror film Backrooms, directed by Kane Parsons.
Lamorne Morris will receive the comedy award for his portrayal of Robbie Robertson in Prime Video’s superhero series Spider-Noir.
Related: Halle Berry Gets Emotional About Hollywood Overlooking Black Women at Celebration of Black Cinema
P-Valley creator Katori Hall will receive the Showrunner Award for the Starz drama, which returns Dec. 4 for its third and final season with a two-episode premiere. Hall adapted the series from her own play and directed both opening episodes.
Jaafar Jackson will receive the Actor Award – Film for his acting debut as his uncle Michael Jackson in the Lionsgate biopic Michael.
Anthony Mackie will accept the Actor Award – Series for Apple TV’s upcoming heist drama 12 12 12, which he also executive produces. Premiering Nov. 13, the series stars Mackie as a disgraced FBI agent pursuing a career criminal played by Jamie Dornan.
Stephan James will receive the Supporting Actor Award – Film for playing Carl Weathers in I Play Rocky, which chronicles the making of the original Rocky.
Sophie Okonedo will be honored with the Supporting Actress Award – Film for the coming-of-age drama Mouse.
Ato Essandoh will receive the Supporting Actor Award – Series for his portrayal of Stuart Hayford in Netflix’s The Diplomat.
Quincy Tyler Bernstine will accept the Supporting Actress Award – Series for her performance as Nora Washington in Hulu’s thriller Furious. Additionally, Starz will honor Tony Award winner Bernstine with a #TakeTheLead designation as part of its commitment to amplifying narratives centering on underrepresented audiences.
Filmmaking brothers Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri will receive the Breakthrough Director Award for Clarissa, a reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway set in contemporary Lagos, Nigeria.
Jaalen Best rounds out the honorees with the Rising Star Award for portraying Cassius Clay in Prime Video’s Muhammad Ali drama The Greatest, premiering Nov. 4.
“We are proud to announce that the celebration continues,” Shawn Edwards, the event’s executive producer and writer, said in a statement. “At a time when there has been a direct assault on Black culture and Black history, the Critics Choice Association stands firmly committed to recognizing the best in Black cinema and television.”
Actor and comedian Roy Wood Jr., known for his work on The Daily Show and CNN’s Have I Got News for You, will host the awards on Nov. 16 in Los Angeles, The celebration will premiere on the Critics Choice Association’s official YouTube channel in December.
The ceremony is produced by Madelyn Hammond, Javier Infante, and Ella Carlson of Hammond Infante Productions.
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