To quote the legendary Shonda Rhimes, it's all about the #BlackGirlMagic at today's Academy Awards.
Ruth E. Carter, costume designer for Black Panther, became the first African-American woman to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design, while Hannah Bleachler, the woman who brought Wakanda to life has become the first black woman to win for Best Production Design.
Accepting the award, Carter declared, "Marvel may have made the first black superhero, but through costume design we turned him into an African king."
Accepting the very next award, Bleachler thanked Black Panther director Ryan Coogler.
“I stand here stronger than I was yesterday," she said.
"I stand here with agency and self-worth because of [Black Panther director] Ryan Coogler - who not only made me a better designer, a better storyteller, a better person."
She continued: "I stand here because of this man who offered me a different perspective of life. Who offered me a safe space. Who is patient and gave me air, humanity, and brotherhood. Thank you, Ryan, I love you.”
Reflecting on her Academy Award nomination , Bleachler said that she hoped her success would have an impact on young women of colour.
"It means breaking down walls and opening up something for the next to come through for people, for young women of color and boys and girls of color to see that this is not impossible," she said.
She added: "I hope I’m the last of the first. And now it’s just going to be business as usual and people from all backgrounds and all colors and all religions could do this work, and maybe I’ve made it a little easier for them."
