Television Academy Elects First African American Chairman, Hayma "Screech" Washington

The Television Academy announced today that its Board of Governors has elected Hayma "Screech" Washington as its new Chairman and CEO. Washington was elected to a two-year term beginning January 1, 2017, and succeeds Bruce Rosenblum who has served since January 2012.

The Academy also announced its newly-elected officers and governors serving on the Board for the 2017–2018 term.

Emmy Award winner Washington, the Academy's first African-American chairman and CEO, is a seasoned television executive who currently produces and directs under his own production company banner, Screechers Pix. Washington previously served as executive producer of The Amazing Race, for which he earned seven Emmy Awards and a Producers Guild Award.

Before that he was at Walt Disney Studios for 10 years as vice president for two production divisions.

His career has also included working in live sports; on awards shows, including the MTV Video Music Awards, the ESPY Awards and the Primetime Emmy Awards; music; comedy; drama; talk; independent films; and short-form digital content.

Washington has served two terms as governor for the Producers peer group, as well as co-chair of the Television Academy's Diversity committee and on the Daytime, Primetime and Creative Arts Emmy Awards committees. In addition, he has served two terms as vice president of television for the Producers Guild of America where he is currently a member of the National Board of Directors.

"I am honored to have been selected to lead the Academy and look forward to serving our membership alongside the governors, executive committee, Foundation and staff," said Washington. "This is a time of considerable change for our industry and I am deeply committed to ensuring that the Academy is at the forefront as we move towards a more inclusive future."

The incoming officers who will serve a two-year term beginning January 1, 2017 and running through December 31, 2018 are:

• Hayma "Screech" Washington, Chairman and CEO
• Frank Scherma, Vice Chair
• Steve Venezia, Second Vice Chair
• Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg, Secretary
• Allison Binder, Treasurer
• Mitch Waldow, Los Angeles Area Vice Chair.

Similarly, the Academy's new governors will serve a two-year term through 2018; they are listed by peer group below, along with their co-governors who continue to serve a two-year term ending December 31, 2017.

Black actors nominated for Emmys

Here is a list of the 16 black actors/actresses nominated for 2016 Emmy Awards

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson as Andre Johnson: black-ish •  

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie

Courtney B. Vance as Johnnie Cochran: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story  

Cuba Gooding, Jr. as O.J. Simpson: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story •  

Idris Elba as DCI John Luther: Luther

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Tracee Ellis Ross as Rainbow Johnson: black-ish   

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon: Empire  

Viola Davis as Annalise Keating: How To Get Away With Murder 

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie

 Kerry Washington as Anita Hill: Confirmation 

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Andre Braugher as Captain Ray Holt: Brooklyn Nine-Nine   

Keegan-Michael Key as Various characters: Key & Peele  

 Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series

Tracy Morgan as Host: Saturday Night Live 

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie

Bokeem Woodbine as Mike Milligan: Fargo 

Sterling K. Brown as Christopher Darden: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie

Regina King as Terri Lacroix: American Crime 

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series

Mahershala Ali as Remy Danton: House Of Cards 

Reg E. Cathey as Freddy: House Of Cards 

African American winners at the 2014 Emmy Awards

Congratulations to all who won Emmy Awards in 2014. I would like to take a moment to let you know of those African Americans who are Emmy Award winners.

Joe Morton: Scandal. Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series

[SOURCE] Morton expressed his appreciation for the award: "It's an incredible feeling to have been in the business this long — this is the first time I've been up for one of these things. And given who I was quote unquote up against, it's terrific."

He added: "My head is in the clouds somewhere, and my feet are trying to touch the ground."

Uzo Aduba: Orange is the New Black. Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

[SOURCE} Backstage, the 33-year-old found herself on the verge of crying once again. "I feel so full, that’s why the tears come out," she told reporters, adding: "I’m stuffed. My cup runneth over right now. Mission accomplished, thank you."

Aduba went on to discuss her admiration for show creator Jenji Kohan. "The thing I love most about working with Jenji is her want and this burning need to tell the truth, and it doesn’t really matter the cost, what it takes to go here," she said. "She puts that and instills that in her writing and her writers, and it’s just incredible."

She continued: "Her heart is just mama bear for everybody on that team, not only for the art that she makes, but she wants to create a family there for us. She really does everything in her power to make sure that energy — the love and the life that’s present — stay bright, and that makes it the perfect work environment."