Andre DeShields, Brandon J. Dirden,
Jasmine Cephas Jones, and Cheryl Wills
Headline the 5th Annual Luncheon
(New York, NY) -- The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) returns to New York City for the fifth edition of AAFCA Goes to Broadway Luncheon, celebrating the artists, creatives and cultural leaders across the theater landscape. The event is set for Monday, October 12, 2026 at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse in the heart of New York’s Theater District.
The annual ceremony has earned a strong reputation for creating an elegant afternoon that has honored a distinguished list of Broadway luminaries like James Monroe Inglehart, LaTanya Jackson Richardson, Wendell Pierce and Kara Young; producers Debra Martin Chase and Kenny Leon and writer Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, among others.
“AAFCA Goes to Broadway has created an important space where the artistry, history, and cultural impact of theater are celebrated with the attention they deserve,” said Camille A. Brown, the five-time Tony Award-nominated director and choreographer who received AAFCA Goes to Broadway’s Salute to Excellence Award in 2024. “As a past honoree, I know firsthand how meaningful it is to have my work be recognized by a community that understands the power of our stories.”
She adds, “AAFCA’s continues to be committed to amplify and celebrate Broadway’s role as a launching pad for performers, directors, choreographers, producers, and other creatives. Their luncheon strengthens the bridge between Broadway and audiences, and I’m thrilled to see it continue to grow.”
The 2026 honorees represent a range of accomplishments and contributions to the theater community:
LEGACY AWARD: Andre DeShields, a veteran actor whose body of work includes Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional theatre, feature films, and television. His most famous works on Broadway include WARP!, PLAY ON!, AIN’T MISBEHAVING, the original production of THE WIZ and HADESTOWN.
BEACON AWARD: Cheryl Wills, an author and Emmy Award-winning journalist with Spectrum News NY1, where she is an anchor and host of “Focus with Cheryl Wills.” Wills has covered major Broadway productions for NY1 and hosted Broadway talkbacks.
HORIZON AWARD: Jasmine Cephas Jones, an English actress and singer, Jones made her Broadway debut in 2015, originating the dual roles of Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical HAMILTON. Her work has earned her both a Grammy Award and an Emmy Award.
SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE: Brandon J. Dirden, an acclaimed actor and director, his career spans Broadway, Off-Broadway, television, and film. He made his Broadway debut in PRELUDE TO A KISS [2007]. Fast forward and many credits later, in 2025, Dirden earned a 2026 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play for WAITING FOR GODOT. In 2026, Dirden directed Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of THE IMAGINARY INVADID.
The honorees will be recognized for their contributions to theater and their impact on the entertainment industry, continuing AAFCA’s tradition of highlighting talent whose work expands opportunities and represents across the arts.
“Broadway is more than a stage. It is a place where careers are launched, creative voices are developed, and stories become part of our cultural history,” said Gil Robertson IV, president and co-founder of AAFCA. “AAFCA Goes to Broadway gives us an opportunity to recognize the people who have made those contributions and to celebrate the talent, vision, and commitment that keep theater moving forward. We are honored to bring together the artists and industry leaders who continue to expand what is possible on Broadway and beyond.”