NEW YORK — The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has officially unveiled the star-studded roster of honorees for its highly anticipated fifth annual AAFCA Goes to Broadway luncheon. Set to take place on Monday, October 12, at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse in the heart of New York City’s historic Theater District, the prestigious event will pay tribute to trailblazing artists and media professionals whose profound contributions have shaped, expanded, and continuously redefined the landscape of American theater and entertainment.
This year’s distinguished honorees include legendary Tony Award winner André DeShields, acclaimed Tony nominee Brandon Dirden, and Emmy Award-winning talents Jasmine Cephas Jones and Cheryl Wills. Together, this cohort represents decades of artistic excellence, breaking barriers across stage, television, and film while cementing the indelible influence of Black culture on Broadway and beyond.
Main Facts: Honoring the Titans of Stage and Screen
The AAFCA Goes to Broadway luncheon has rapidly evolved into one of the most anticipated cultural events of the New York theater season. By bridging the worlds of film criticism, journalism, and live theatrical performance, AAFCA continues to shine a vital spotlight on Black excellence within an industry that has historically marginalized diverse narratives.
The 2025 event will distribute four major accolades to luminaries who have left an undeniable imprint on the cultural zeitgeist:
- André DeShields will receive the prestigious Legacy Award, honoring a career spanning more than half a century across stage and screen.
- Cheryl Wills, renowned author and Emmy-winning journalist, will be presented with the Beacon Award for her extensive media career and dedicated coverage of the arts.
- Jasmine Cephas Jones will take home the Horizon Award, recognizing her meteoric rise from originating groundbreaking roles on Broadway to achieving success across television and film.
- Brandon Dirden, celebrated actor and director, will be honored with the Salute to Excellence Award for his enduring contributions to the theatrical community as both a performer and a visionary behind the scenes.
Chronology of Cultural Impact: Tracing the Paths of the Honorees
To truly understand the weight of the honors being handed out this October, one must look at the rich timelines and remarkable trajectories of the individuals being celebrated.
André DeShields: A Living Legend (The Legacy Award)
André DeShields’ journey in the performing arts reads like a living history of modern Black theater. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, DeShields made his professional debut in the 1969 Chicago production of Hair before launching into a stratospheric career on Broadway.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, DeShields originated roles in culturally seismic productions, including the science-fiction musical Warp! (1973), the original Broadway cast of The Full Monty, and the iconic title role in 1975’s The Wiz. His magnetic stage presence and fierce commitment to his craft earned him widespread acclaim.
In 1982, DeShields achieved a monumental career milestone by winning a Primetime Emmy Award for his performance in the NBC broadcast of Ain’t Misbehavin’. However, his career reached yet another historic peak in 2019 when he originated the role of Hermes in Anaïs Mitchell’s smash-hit Broadway musical Hadestown. The role not only earned him universal critical raves but finally secured his first Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical at the age of 73, swiftly followed by a Grammy Award for the cast recording. DeShields’ Legacy Award is a long-overdue celebration of a titan who has continually pushed the boundaries of theatrical performance.
Cheryl Wills: Illuminating Stories On and Off the Stage (The Beacon Award)
As an anchor and host for Spectrum News NY1, Cheryl Wills has spent decades keeping the pulse of New York City’s cultural and political life. Through her acclaimed signature program, Focus with Cheryl Wills, she has provided an essential platform for artists, activists, and civic leaders.
Beyond her daily news broadcasting, Wills is an accomplished author and historian. She has dedicated a significant portion of her career to unearthing and preserving Black history, notably writing about her own ancestor, Sandy Wills, who fought for the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War. Her deep-seated commitment to truthful storytelling, coupled with her extensive, thoughtful coverage of major Broadway productions over the years, makes her the ideal recipient of the Beacon Award.
Jasmine Cephas Jones: A Modern Multi-Hyphenate (The Horizon Award)
Jasmine Cephas Jones represents the vibrant, unstoppable future of American entertainment. The daughter of the late, great Emmy-winning actor Ron Cephas Jones, she carved out her own formidable path early on. In 2015, Cephas Jones made her historic Broadway debut in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s cultural phenomenon Hamilton, originating the dual roles of Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds. Her contributions to the original cast recording earned her a Grammy Award.
Not content to rest on her theatrical laurels, Cephas Jones rapidly expanded her portfolio into television and film. In 2020, she made Emmy history by winning a Primetime Emmy Award for her powerful performance in the Quibi short-form series #FreeRayshawn, a victory that underscored her immense dramatic range. Her subsequent work in critically acclaimed projects like Blindspotting, Monsters and Men, and the upcoming Lanterns proves that she is a generational talent capable of commanding any medium she enters.
Brandon Dirden: Mastery on Both Sides of the Footlights (Salute to Excellence Award)
Brandon Dirden has spent the past two decades establishing himself as one of the most versatile and reliable forces in American theater. Making his Broadway debut in 2007’s revival of Prelude to a Kiss, Dirden quickly became a stalwart of both regional and Broadway stages, frequently collaborating on works that center Black experiences and classic texts alike.
Dirden’s artistic range was once again thrust into the national spotlight in 2025, when he earned a prestigious Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his riveting work in Waiting for Godot. Furthermore, Dirden has increasingly stepped behind the scenes to helm major productions. Earlier this year, he earned widespread critical praise for directing the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of The Imaginary Invalid, proving that his creative vision extends far beyond acting.
Supporting Data: The Expanding Footprint of AAFCA Goes to Broadway
When the African American Film Critics Association first expanded its purview to include the theatrical arts five years ago, industry observers noted the natural synergy between film and stage criticism. Both mediums rely on narrative power, character development, and cultural reflection. Over the past half-decade, the AAFCA Goes to Broadway luncheon has steadily grown in stature, attracting Hollywood executives, Broadway producers, major studio heads, and leading creatives.
The event’s data and reach reflect a broader industry shift toward inclusive recognition. According to recent demographic reports from the Broadway League, diverse audiences are driving a significant percentage of theater ticket sales in New York City, yet historical recognition structures have often lagged behind in honoring the artists who build and sustain these audiences. AAFCA’s intervention into this space has provided a crucial institutional framework for accountability, celebration, and community building.
Past honorees and attendees read like a who’s who of modern entertainment, including visionaries like five-time Tony Award-nominated director and choreographer Camille A. Brown, who received the Salute to Excellence Award in 2024. The consistent attendance of high-caliber talent underscores the luncheon’s status as a premier networking and celebratory fixture in the theatrical calendar.
Official Responses and Perspectives
Leadership within the entertainment community has been vocal in praising AAFCA’s unwavering dedication to the stage. Gil Robertson IV, president and co-founder of AAFCA, emphasized the philosophical underpinnings of the annual gathering during the official announcement.
“Broadway is more than a stage. It is a place where careers are launched, creative voices are developed, and stories become part of our cultural history,” said Gil Robertson IV. “AAFCA Goes to Broadway gives us an opportunity to recognize the people who have made those contributions and to celebrate the talent, vision, and commitment that keep theater moving forward. We are honored to bring together the artists and industry leaders who continue to expand what is possible on Broadway and beyond.”
Echoing these sentiments is Camille A. Brown, whose own historic work as a Black female director and choreographer on Broadway has shattered glass ceilings. Reflecting on the impact of the organization, Brown noted the vital validation the luncheon provides to artists navigating a high-pressure industry.
“AAFCA Goes to Broadway has created an important space where the artistry, history, and cultural impact of theater are celebrated with the attention they deserve,” said Brown. “As a past honoree, I know firsthand how meaningful it is to have my work be recognized by a community that understands the power of our stories.”
Brown further emphasized the symbiotic relationship between AAFCA’s mission and the theatrical ecosystem:
“AAFCA continues to be committed to amplifying and celebrating Broadway’s role as a launching pad for performers, directors, choreographers, producers, and other creatives. Their luncheon strengthens the bridge between Broadway and audiences, and I’m thrilled to see it continue to grow.”
Implications: Why This Matters for the Future of Theater
As the theatrical industry continues to navigate post-pandemic economic realities, shifting audience demographics, and ongoing conversations regarding equity and representation, initiatives like AAFCA Goes to Broadway carry immense weight.
- Elevating Institutional Visibility: By bringing film critics and entertainment journalists into direct engagement with theatrical creators, the event ensures that Broadway’s diverse achievements receive cross-industry visibility, reaching audiences that span film, television, and digital platforms.
- Mentorship and Inspiration: Honoring multi-generational icons—from the living history represented by André DeShields to the contemporary dominance of Jasmine Cephas Jones—creates a clear roadmap for emerging artists of color entering the performing arts.
- Redefining the Canon: The work of honorees like Brandon Dirden and Cheryl Wills reinforces the idea that Black narratives, historical explorations, and classical interpretations are central, rather than peripheral, to the American theatrical canon.
When industry leaders, critics, and artists gather at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse on October 12, they will not merely be sharing a meal; they will be participating in an ongoing reclamation and celebration of cultural history. Through AAFCA Goes to Broadway, the African American Film Critics Association continues to ensure that those who light up the stage receive the roaring applause they so richly deserve—both inside the theater and far beyond its walls.
Pevita Pearce
Sagoh
Azzam Bilal Chamdy
