When the news cycle feels like a never-ending loop of doom, and you catch yourself wondering if there’s anything left to smile about? I get it. We’re all carrying that weight. But even amid all this chaos, Black excellence doesn’t take a break.
And this year’s Oscar nominations? They’re proof that we’re not just showing up, we’re showing out.
The countdown to the 2026 Academy Awards is on, and let me be the first to tell you that this year’s race is looking like a supremely Black affair, and I am absolutely here for it.
“Sinners” just made history with 16 Oscar nominations, the most nominations for any film, EVER. Read that again. Not just this year. Not just in recent memory. In the entire history of the Academy Awards. That’s the kind of record-breaking moment that deserves more than a casual scroll past. That’s the kind of achievement that makes you stop, take a breath, and recognize that something monumental is happening.
And it’s not just “Sinners” holding it down. “One Battle After Another” is right there in the mix, both films leading the pack and centering Black stories, Black voices, Black artistry. The past 12 months have been big for Black cinema, and now we’re watching those efforts pay off in real time.
Let’s talk about Teyana Taylor for a second. Best Supporting Actress nominee. First Oscar nomination. The same Teyana who’s been dancing, singing, directing, acting, and redefining what it means to be a multi-hyphenate creative force. She’s there alongside Wunmi Mosaku, who’s also receiving her first Oscar nod. Two Black women, first-time nominees, are taking up space in a category that has historically left us on the outside looking in.
And Delroy Lindo. An acting legend who’s been delivering powerhouse performances for decades finally, finally, got his first Oscar nomination for his role as Delta Slim in “Sinners.” If you’ve watched Lindo work over the years, you know this moment has been coming.
The one thing about mainstream awards shows is that the conversation is always the same. Where’s the diversity? Why are people of color so often overlooked? These aren’t new questions. We know the statistics.
The last time a woman of color won Best Actress was 2002, when Halle Berry made history for “Monster’s Ball.” More than two decades later, approximately 13 Black actresses have been nominated for a total of 15 nominations in that category. We’re still counting firsts and fighting for recognition that should be standard.
But even as we acknowledge the slow, frustrating progress, we can’t ignore the small strides toward recognizing minority stories. These nominations aren’t just about statues and red carpets. They represent economic opportunities, industry clout, and doors opening for the next generation of Black storytellers.
Yes, there’s still so much work to do. Yes, we’re still having conversations about diversity that we shouldn’t have to have in 2026. But in the middle of all that, Black people are still creating, still breaking records, still taking up space that was never freely given but that we claimed anyway.
And that’s worth smiling about. That’s worth celebrating. That’s worth remembering when everything else feels overwhelming.
I’m rooting for everybody Black at the Oscars. Not because I’m ignoring the problems or pretending the industry is fixed. But because joy and resistance can exist in the same breath.
Because our excellence doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. And because sometimes, in a world that can feel impossibly dark, we need to stop and recognize our own light.
