From actors delivering standout performances to writers, directors, producers and hosts shaping some of the year’s most talked-about projects, this year’s nominees reflect the depth and range of Black excellence both on-screen and behind the scenes.
Here’s every Black nominee recognized at the 2026 Emmy Awards.
Quinta Brunson
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series — Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series — Abbott Elementary (“Team Building”)
Ayo Edebiri
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series — The Bear
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series — Wonder Man
Chase Infiniti
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series — The Testaments
Zendaya
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series — Euphoria
Sterling K. Brown
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series — Paradise
Janelle James
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series — Abbott Elementary
Jessica Williams
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series — Shrinking
Colman Domingo
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series — The Four Seasons
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series — Euphoria
Tyler James Williams
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series — Abbott Elementary
Joy Sunday
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie — DTF St. Louis
Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series — The Gilded Age
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series — Task
Ernest Harden Jr.
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series — The Pitt
Hanelle M. Culpepper
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series — Paradise
RuPaul
Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program — RuPaul’s Drag Race
Steve Harvey
Outstanding Host for a Game Show — Celebrity Family Feud
Dave Chappelle
Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) — Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable…
Rikki Hughes
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special — Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable…
Wanda Sykes
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special — Wanda Sykes: Legacy
Julie Dash
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special — Wanda Sykes: Legacy
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series — Sean Combs: The Reckoning
Alexandria Stapleton
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series — Sean Combs: The Reckoning
Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program — Sean Combs: The Reckoning
Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special — Finding Your Roots
Salimah El-Amin
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series — The American Revolution
In addition to the Primetime Emmy nominations announced Wednesday (July 8), several Black creatives also earned recognition in the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which honor outstanding artistic and technical achievements across television. Among this year’s nominees are:
- Kimberly Kimble — Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling (Euphoria)
- Sharif Poston — Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling (All’s Fair); Outstanding Hairstyling for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program (Wicked: One Wonderful Night)
- Charm La’Donna — Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming (The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny)
- Jamal Sims — Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming (RuPaul’s Drag Race)
- Christian John-Devi Vincent — Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming (Noah’s Arc: The Movie)
- Tony Hardmon — Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program (My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay)
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