A Win for the Culture: Black Talent Shines Bright at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards
Beverly Hills hosted one of the most notable award shows in Hollywood on Sunday, Jan. 11. The 83rd Golden Globe Awards ushered in extraordinary talent, highlighting culture, representation and significant moments that will forever be cherished.
Housing some of Hollywood’s greatest creatives in the movie and film industry, the night was abundant with impact, and Black creators striking gold was an understatement. This year’s awards reflected moments that remain near and dear in the hearts of many Black people.
Setting the tone for the year and the culture, the first award of the night was secured by “One Battle After Another” standout Teyana Taylor, who won Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.
Sincerely appreciative and showing the utmost gratitude, Taylor was brought to tears by her win, thanking God first and praising him for “every part of this faith walk, every lesson, every testing and every blessing.”
She also thanked the Golden Globe voters, who had reminded her that “purpose always finds its moment.”
Taylor closed her acceptance speech with a strong, important message for brown women and girls who may have been watching.
“To my brown sisters and little brown girls watching tonight, our softness is not a liability. Our depth is not too much. Our light does not need permission to shine. We belong in every room we walk into. Our voices matter, and our dreams deserve space.”
This win signified much more for Taylor, as she was able to represent Black culture and help pave the way for Black women to be in spaces where they are often counted out. Taylor speaks for the women who often have to uphold a strong Black woman image, explaining that vulnerability and softness are not weaknesses. The actress and musician represent visibility and proof that Black women deserve to be embraced and honored.
Black excellence didn’t stop there. Following Taylor’s win, the cast of Sinners earned major victories for Best Original Score and Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. The award for Cinematic and Box Achievement was accepted by the iconic, award-winning director, filmmaker and producer, Ryan Coogler, who thanked the audience for showing up.
Coogler emphasized the hard work and dedication behind the film.
“We don’t always, when we work in the film business, wear tuxedos and look glammed out; it’s usually a grind. We’re wearing performance fishing gear, and we’re in the swamps […] and it was an honor on this movie that it was getting a theatrical release […] we didn’t know that they would show up, and we just want to say thank you that they did. It means the world to us,” he said.
Coogler was accompanied on stage by the cast and crew, including Michael B. Jordan, Miles Caton, Wunmi Mosaku, Omar Miller, Jayme Lawson and more.
Each member played a tremendous part in the film's success. Celebrating triumphs and visionaries, Sinners showcased Black storytelling in nontraditional ways through its cultural perspectives. Recognizing Black talent, this moment symbolized more than an acceptance speech or an added trophy to the collection. It symbolized power, impact, acknowledgement and recognition.
Beyond the main stage and the night’s winners, several others embodied Black excellence.
Nominated for a Golden Globe in the Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Cynthia Erivo had a memorable year in film. Wicked: For Good generated massive buzz over the past year, with audiences globally racing to the theaters to take part in the musical.
Actress Tessa Thompson also demonstrated great performance in 2025, making her a nominee for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Hedda, the film in which she stars, explores an interesting plot that unfolds when Hedda, played by Thompson, struggles between her past love life and the suffering of her current life.
Dwayne Johnson depicted excellence in the sport/action genre of film in 2025. His role in The Smashing Machine landed him a nomination for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama.
Despite not taking home a Golden Globe, the winning spirit remained, especially for actor and comedian Kevin Hart, who was a first-time nominee. Nominated for Best Performance in Stand‑Up Comedy on Television for Kevin Hart: Acting My Age, Hart’s performance was recognized and highlighted.
The 2026 Golden Globe Awards were certainly a monumental event. Exemplifying on and off the screen success, the award show represented a lasting legacy in which Black culture celebrates greatness. With so much misrepresentation and a lack of diversity at award shows, this moment holds extreme meaning to both nominees and winners. In an atmosphere where being overlooked is easy, the feeling of being seen is uplifting.
