The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) lit up Los Angeles on August 23 with its 7th Annual TV Honors, celebrating standout television achievements with powerful speeches, groundbreaking wins, and a star-studded guest list. Hosted by Jordin Sparks, the event took place inside the historic Blossom Ballroom at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
This year’s honorees represented a wide range of genres and storytelling styles. Amazon’s Harlem took home Best Comedy, Hulu’s Number One on the Call Sheet earned Best Documentary, and Netflix’s Gen Zone claimed Best Reality. The Big Cigar was awarded Best Limited Series, while The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat won Best TV Movie, and Bel-Air took home Best Ensemble.
One of the night’s biggest winners was Netflix newcomer Forever, which swept Best Writing, Best Director, and Best New Show while also landing on AAFCA’s list of the Top Ten Television Programs of 2025.
Veteran actress Kathy Bates accepted the Best Actress award for her performance on CBS’s Matlock, charming the audience with a humorous nod to Freedom Rider Joan Mulholland: “Joan Mulholland, one of the white Freedom Riders, said, ‘Y’all means all.’ So, y’all, thanks for inviting me to your cookout,” Bates joked, before turning heartfelt. She expressed deep gratitude to AAFCA’s nearly 200 critics worldwide for recognizing the show’s diverse team and its impact on audiences.
Another highlight of the evening was the Legacy Award presented to trailblazing creator Mara Brock Akil for her work on Forever. Speaking to Ebony, Akil described her storytelling as a labor of love: “Stories allow us to be seen. I tell the truth through fiction and pull our narrative into full frontal view. I’m birthing these ideas, and I pull together a village of other caretakers because their love, skill, time, and talent are a part of these stories.”
The AAFCA TV Honors continue to spotlight excellence in television, bringing together creators, performers, and tastemakers to uplift diverse voices and champion groundbreaking storytelling on screen.