NEW YORK — The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has officially unveiled its highly anticipated lineup for the fifth annual AAFCA Goes to Broadway Luncheon. This year’s landmark celebration will honor an extraordinary group of entertainment industry luminaries: Tony Award winner André DeShields, Tony nominee Brandon Dirden, and Emmy Award winners Jasmine Cephas Jones and Cheryl Wills.
The prestigious ceremony is scheduled to take place on Monday, October 12, at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, nestled in the heart of New York City’s vibrant Theater District. The event continues a growing tradition of bridging the worlds of film, television, and theater by recognizing Black excellence and cultural impact on the Great White Way.
Main Facts: Celebrating Titans of Stage and Screen
The AAFCA Goes to Broadway luncheon has rapidly evolved into one of the fall season’s premier cultural events. By spotlighting Black artists who have left an indelible mark on theatrical history, AAFCA reinforces its mission to champion diverse voices across all mediums of storytelling.
This year’s roster of honorees represents generations of visionary talent whose contributions extend far beyond the footlights into television, film, and journalism:
- André DeShields will receive the coveted Legacy Award for a legendary career spanning more than five decades across stage and screen.
- Cheryl Wills, renowned author and Emmy-winning journalist, will be presented with the Beacon Award for her vital reporting and dedication to documenting culture and the arts.
- Jasmine Cephas Jones, a powerhouse performer in theater, film, and television, will take home the Horizon Award celebrating her dynamic trajectory and continued industry influence.
- Brandon Dirden, an acclaimed actor and director, will be honored with the Salute to Excellence Award in recognition of his profound contributions to American theater.
Gil Robertson IV, president and co-founder of AAFCA, emphasized the deeper cultural significance of the annual gathering.
"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," Robertson stated. "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."
Chronology and Honoree Profiles: A Legacy of Excellence
To understand the weight of this year’s honors, one must look at the remarkable timelines and achievements of the individuals being recognized at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse.
André DeShields: The Legacy Award
André DeShields’ career is nothing short of theatrical royalty. DeShields first captured public attention in the original Broadway casts of cult classics and groundbreaking productions such as Warp!, The Full Monty, and the landmark musical The Wiz.
His legendary career reached fresh heights when he originated the role of Hermes on Broadway in Anaïs Mitchell’s smash-hit musical Hadestown. His magnetic, charismatic performance earned him both a Tony Award and a Grammy Award. Furthermore, DeShields’ brilliance is not confined to the stage; he earned a Primetime Emmy Award for his tour-de-force performance in the 1982 NBC television broadcast of Ain’t Misbehavin’. Receiving the Legacy Award solidifies his status as a foundational pillar of modern entertainment.
Cheryl Wills: The Beacon Award
As an esteemed author and Emmy-winning journalist, Cheryl Wills has dedicated her career to truth-telling and historical preservation. Currently serving as an anchor and host for Focus with Cheryl Wills on Spectrum News NY1, Wills has spent decades covering major Broadway openings, cultural milestones, and socio-political issues affecting New York City and beyond.
Her reporting has consistently brought marginalized histories to the forefront, notably through her genealogical journey documenting her great-great-grandfather, a Civil War soldier, in her book LEGACY: Keeping Momma’s Last Will & Testament. Her work makes her a natural recipient of the Beacon Award, illuminating paths for both journalists and artists alike.
Jasmine Cephas Jones: The Horizon Award
Jasmine Cephas Jones burst onto the international cultural consciousness in 2015 when she made her monumental Broadway debut in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s historic, multi-award-winning musical Hamilton. Originating the dual roles of Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds, Jones cemented her place in musical theater history and earned a Grammy Award for her contributions to the original cast recording.
Never resting on her theatrical laurels, Jones expanded her dominance into television and film. In 2020, she captured a Primetime Emmy Award for her standout role in the Quibi short-form series #FreeRayshawn. Her diverse resume also features critically acclaimed performances in Blindspotting, Monsters and Men, and the upcoming DC series Lanterns. The Horizon Award honors an artist whose past achievements are extraordinary, yet whose future remains boundless.
Brandon Dirden: The Salute to Excellence Award
Actor and director Brandon Dirden has spent decades enriching the American theater ecosystem with his profound intellectual depth and emotional range on stage. Dirden made his Broadway debut in 2007 in a revival of Prelude to a Kiss.
Over the years, he has become a titan of contemporary drama, particularly celebrated for his interpretations of August Wilson’s works. In 2025, Dirden earned a prestigious Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his riveting work in Waiting for Godot. Demonstrating his versatility behind the scenes, earlier this year Dirden stepped into the director’s chair to helm the Roundabout Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of The Imaginary Invalid, proving his multifaceted value to the theatrical community.
Supporting Data and Industry Context: The Evolution of AAFCA Goes to Broadway
The African American Film Critics Association, founded in 2003, has spent over two decades serving as the premier body of Black film critics in the world. While its roots are firmly planted in cinema and television journalism, AAFCA’s expansion into the theatrical space via AAFCA Goes to Broadway addresses a historical gap in mainstream arts criticism and mainstream award recognition.
In recent years, the intersection of Black Hollywood and Broadway has grown increasingly porous. Major film and television stars routinely transition to the Broadway stage, while theater luminaries command global streaming audiences. Events like the AAFCA luncheon provide vital infrastructure for networking, mentorship, and critical discourse that centers Black creators who have traditionally navigated a Eurocentric commercial theater landscape.
Past honorees and participants in the luncheon read as a who’s who of modern performing arts royalty, reflecting the high-caliber prestige that the organization has cultivated since its inception five years ago.
Official Responses and Perspectives
The impact of the AAFCA Goes to Broadway luncheon resonates deeply across the New York theatrical community. Camille A. Brown—a five-time Tony Award-nominated director and choreographer who received AAFCA’s Salute to Excellence Award in 2024—reflected on the profound importance of the organization’s mission.
"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," Brown said. "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 elaborated on how the annual gathering functions as an ecosystem for growth and mutual support within the entertainment industry.
"AAFCA continues to be committed to amplifying and celebrating Broadway’s role as a launching pad for performers, directors, choreographers, producers, and other creatives," Brown added. "Their luncheon strengthens the bridge between Broadway and audiences, and I’m thrilled to see it continue to grow."
Broader Implications: Shaping the Future of American Theater
As the Theater District prepares to welcome industry leaders, critics, actors, and producers on October 12, the implications of the fifth annual AAFCA Goes to Broadway Luncheon extend far beyond a single afternoon of celebration.
1. Elevating Critical Discourse in Theater
By applying the rigorous evaluative lens typically reserved for film and television criticism directly to the stage, AAFCA helps elevate the cultural dialogue surrounding theatrical productions. This ensures that Black-centric narratives and performances receive deep, analytical, and appreciative coverage that influences both public perception and industry longevity.
2. Mentorship and Generational Continuity
Bringing together legendary figures like André DeShields and contemporary trailblazers like Jasmine Cephas Jones and Brandon Dirden creates a vital cross-generational dialogue. Younger artists draw inspiration from the survival and triumph of veterans, while veterans are re-energized by the innovative approaches of the industry’s newer guard.
3. Commercial and Cultural Viability
Events of this caliber remind commercial producers, investors, and theater owners of the immense cultural and financial power embedded in diverse storytelling. When organizations like AAFCA validate and champion these artists, it sends a clear signal to Broadway’s power brokers that audiences are hungry for authentic, culturally rich, and brilliantly executed theatrical art.
As the countdown to October 12 at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse begins, the fifth annual AAFCA Goes to Broadway Luncheon stands poised to write another inspiring chapter in the ongoing history of American performing arts—honoring the past, celebrating the present, and laying the groundwork for a more inclusive future.
Neng Nana
Layla Zulfa
Azzam Bilal Chamdy
