Tracy Morgan, Celeste Hughey, & More Among 2026 AAFCA Honorees

The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has revealed the six influential television creatives that will be honored at the 8th Annual AAFCA TV Honors, taking place Saturday, August 8, 2026, at City Club LA in Downtown Los Angeles.

Honorees for the 2026 ceremony include acclaimed actor and comedian Tracy Morgan (the inaugural Flip Wilson Award), President of Original Programming at STARZ Kathryn Busby (TV Vanguard Award), writer-producer Celeste Hughey (Impact Award), Senior Vice President of Current Programming at Sony Pictures Television Lamar Chase (Horizon Award), and writer-producer Felicia Pride (Salute to Excellence Award). 

New this year, AAFCA will introduce the inaugural Flip Wilson Award, recognizing individuals whose comedic artistry and cultural impact continue the legacy of the groundbreaking entertainer and television pioneer. The award celebrates artists who use comedy as a vehicle for cultural commentary while reflecting the richness, complexity and authenticity of Black stories.

A trailblazing comedian, actor and host, Wilson became a household name in the 1970s through “The Flip Wilson Show,” a series that transformed the television landscape with culturally resonant humor and historic visibility for Black entertainers. Tracy Morgan will receive the inaugural honor for his enduring contributions to comedy and for continuing that tradition through his performance in NBC’s “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins.”

Winners and presenters for the 8th Annual AAFCA TV Honors will be announced in the coming weeks. Voting opened on April 1, 2026, with submissions scheduled to close on June 12. The voting window will take place from June 14 to June 21, with winners announced on July 1. 

Established in 2003, AAFCA is the premier body of Black film critics in the world, actively reviewing film and television, with a particular emphasis on entertainment highlighting the Black experience in the US and throughout the rest of the African Diaspora.