The Shrine Auditorium in LA buzzed with energy. Davis, 60, took the stage to present one of the night’s biggest awards. When she opened the envelope and called out Jordan’s name, the room exploded. People jumped to their feet, cheering loud.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Davis said, grinning as she handed Jordan his trophy. This was Jordan’s first Actor Award win and it was clear Davis admired him. The whole moment felt genuine, like one artist rooting for another.

Jordan, 39, took home the award thanks to his dual role as twin brothers Smoke and Stack Moore in Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller, Sinners. The film was set in 1930s Mississippi and mixes music, grit, and supernatural chills. It’s been the talk of the season, with critics and audiences both raving about it.

When Jordan got up to speak, he looked honestly stunned. “I wasn’t expecting this at all,” he said, still catching his breath. He thanked Davis for the honor, then turned to shout out the other nominees for their works. They include big names like Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, and Jesse Plemons.

The emotion in Jordan’s voice was quite vivid as he talked about the journey that brought him here. “This ride has been unbelievable,” he said, his thanks going straight to his mom for always standing by him, and to Coogler for believing in what he could do.

Jordan’s win stands out, not just for him personally, but for what it means this awards season. Sinners and Jordan were always in the mix, but nothing’s been predictable this year. Beating out favorites like Chalamet, Jordan’s victory has definitely shaken up the Oscars conversation.

The night got even bigger for Sinners when it won Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Jordan shared the stage with Delroy Lindo, Wunmi Mosaku, and Hailee Steinfeld.

Davis already got an EGOT on her shelf and a career full of powerhouse roles and this wasn’t just another night. She really cheered for Jordan, for the work, and for everything his win represents. Viola Davis showed the kind of heartfelt support that makes Hollywood feel a little more human.

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The esteemed actress was recognized for her “distinguished contributions to the art of the moving image” during the Conservatory’s commencement ceremony on August 8, held at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

Davis was introduced to the stage by filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood, a fellow trailblazer in Hollywood who Davis personally selected to direct the 2022 film The Woman King. Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, produced the film, which further cemented their collaboration in shaping impactful cinema.

In her heartfelt speech, Davis reflected on the role of cinema in the human experience: “The sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness,” she said, quoting the notion that filmgoers bring their vulnerabilities into the theater.

“They’re willing to bring their loneliness, angst, shame of not feeling worthy, anxiety, depression, awkwardness, and mess. And the curtains open. The movie plays, and they’re reminded that they’re not alone.”

A trailblazer herself and one of the most celebrated actresses of her generation, Davis is an EGOT winner renowned for her roles in The Help and How to Get Away with Murder. Her speech continued, emphasizing the profound purpose of art: “You are creating stories so people do not feel alone.

That they not only feel a connection with other people, but with themselves. And they know that as the story transpires, they can say that beautiful phrase, ‘Oh, it’s not just me.’”

Reflecting on the significance of the recognition, Davis shared the weight of receiving such an honor from her peers. “It’s always especially potent when it’s given by your peers,” she said.

“I consider everyone that is in this profession, no matter how long they’ve been in it, known, unknown, faceless—my peers. They know the work. They know the artistry. It makes me feel capable. It makes me feel like my career and path have meant something to someone. It’s meant that I’ve created somewhat of a legacy.”

Davis now joins an illustrious group of AFI honorary degree recipients, which includes icons such as Maya Angelou, Angela Bassett, and James Earl Jones.

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The honor will be presented during the AFI Conservatory’s commencement ceremony for the Class of 2025, scheduled to take place on August 8 at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

Viola Davis will receive the distinction alongside acclaimed film editor and sound designer Walter Murch, known for his work on Apocalypse Now and The English Patient.

“Their contributions to the art form have inspired audiences around the world, as they will inspire this year’s graduates of the AFI Conservatory,” said AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale in a statement.

With a career spanning film, television, and theater, Davis has become one of the most decorated actors of her generation. She is among a rare group of performers to achieve EGOT status, winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, a milestone she completed in 2023 with her Grammy win for narrating the audiobook of her memoir, Finding Me.

Davis’s Academy Award came from her performance in Fences, while she earned her Emmy for the groundbreaking role of Annalise Keating in How to Get Away with Murder. She has also received two Tony Awards for her performances in Fences and King Hedley II.

Beyond her artistic accolades, Viola Davis is widely recognized for her work as an advocate and philanthropist. Through her Davis-Tennon Foundation, she has supported efforts to combat childhood hunger and uplift underserved communities.

In 2011, she and her husband, Julius Tennon, launched JuVee Productions to expand opportunities for underrepresented voices in Hollywood.

She has also been acknowledged for her broader cultural influence. In 2017, Time magazine named her one of the world’s most influential people. More recently, she received the Public Counsel’s William O. Douglas Award in 2022 and the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2025 Golden Globes.

With this latest honor, Viola Davis joins a distinguished group of AFI honorary degree recipients, including Maya Angelou, Angela Bassett, and Spike Lee. She previously received honorary degrees from The Juilliard School and her alma mater, Rhode Island College.

The post Viola Davis to Receive Honorary Doctorate from American Film Institute appeared first on Black Elites.

The university honoured her exceptional career and contributions to the arts with an honorary Doctor of Letters before her address.

In an Instagram post celebrating the honor, Davis joked that people might call her “Dr. Davis” and added, “You can still call me ‘Viola’ after you call me doctor!”

Speaking to the College of Arts and Sciences graduates of 2024, Davis—dressed in a robe representing the university’s colors—promoted the idea that every person has potential. 

“As I stand here, I see the holy, a flame, in each of you. You know, that spark that turns into a magnificent wildfire when aroused or roused,” she said.

In order to further clarify the metaphor, she said that the flame represented their life energy, narrative, and passion—in other words, who they really were. 

“You can either leave something for people, or you can leave something in people,” Davis said, urging the graduates to have a significant influence on others.

 Furthermore, if you leave it in, you are sowing everlasting fires and embers.”

The audience applauded enthusiastically when she highlighted the grads’ ability to make significant “boss moves,” and her words had a lasting effect on the young people who were about to embark on their new chapters.

The post Viola Davis Inspires URI Graduates, Receives Honorary Doctorate in Commencement Speech appeared first on Black Elites.

ALTR was co-founded by David A. Wilson, creator of TheGrio, and Brandon John-Freso, a former software engineer at WeWork and OkCupid.

ALTR is a subscription-based app offering personal development and learning resources through short audiobooks by black cultural icons and authors. 

This app addresses the lack of tailored content for black people, especially black women, who are major consumers of self-help materials.

David Wilson emphasized the need for culturally relevant solutions. “Our voices are missing on the current self-help and educational platforms, which is why we’ve gained strong support from trusted voices in our community,” Wilson said.

Viola Davis and her husband Julius Tennon’s JuVee Productions helped create an audiobook miniseries for the app, focusing on challenges faced by the black community. 

“There is power in our shared knowledge,” Davis said. “Life is easier when you can learn from those who have been there before. 

Julius and I are excited to help build a platform that empowers people to grow and see themselves represented.”

Joy Reid, an MSNBC host, stressed the importance of ALTR in the current political and social climate. 

“As a news host covering our tumultuous landscape, I see growing uncertainty among Black Americans about their future. 

ALTR offers clarity, comfort, and community for those looking to shape their own destinies,” Reid said.

Charlamagne says that God, known for advocating mental health awareness, supports ALTR’s use of short audiobooks to provide quick, relevant information. 

“In a booming $75 billion audio media market, audio content is a powerful tool for engaging our community,” he said. “ALTR will be a game-changer, making a positive impact.”

ALTR is open for early sign-ups and will officially launch in the third quarter of 2024. The company will offer free trials of the app.

The post Viola Davis Invest in New Self-Help App for the Black Community appeared first on Black Elites.