Ava DuVernay Gives Empowering Acceptance Speech After Epic Emmy Win

Ava Duvernay is probably riding high after taking home four Emmys on Saurday at the 69th Annual Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

DuVernay’s Netfli documentary, 13th, received eght nominations, taking home four for Writing for Nonfiction Programs, Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special, Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for “The Letter to the Free” by Common, and Outstanding Motion Design.

Deadline reports that after accepting the award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special, DuVernay used the moment to talk about amplifying unheard stories. 

“It’s nights like these when you are able to amplify a story with this kind of attention that make me happy,” DuVernay said. “This is an evergreen story. It’s ongoing. It wasn’t just something that we dropped last year. It shouldn’t be forgotten. There are still 2.3 million people behind bars. We over-incarcerate in this country — the most incarcerated nation in the world. Now, more than ever, it’s important for people who believe in a different way of policing and criminal justice to make our voices heard.”

DuVernay collaborator Common also took home an Emmy for his song “Letter To The Free,”  which was featured in DuVernay’s documentary. The win brings him a step close to an EGOT. The rapper and actor already has an Oscar and various Grammys under his belt and is now just a Tony award away from the coveted honor.

DuVernay added, “I want to thank, and think about tonight the hundreds of thousands of families who are waiting for their loved ones to come home. Mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, who don’t know where their loved one is. Unsung heroes of a struggle that has not a lot to do with them, but has a lot to do with how they live each day.”