Issa Rae Will Be Honored At The Peabody Awards
Issa Rae - Frazer Harrison
During the Peabody Awards ceremony on June 11, 2023, in Los Angeles at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, African American actress, writer, and producer Issa Rae will be honored with the Peabody Trailblazer Award, while Hollywood veteran Lily Tomlin will receive the organization’s Career Achievement Award. Jessica Williams, Shrinking star and The Daily Show, alum has also agreed to emcee this year's ceremony.
Jeffrey Jones, executive director of Peabody, has said that “Lily Tomlin has made so many people laugh over the decades with her remarkable talent, and Issa Rae has proven herself a profound entertainment storyteller, performer, and force for good.” Jones and everyone at Peabody seem thrilled to recognize Issa and Lily for their contributions while serving as role models for women in comedy and entertainment. As for Williams, Jones expressed her respect for the comedian/actress’s wit and comedic impact.
The Peabody Board of Jurors chose the recipients for both honors. The Trailblazer Award, according to Peabody, "recognizes visionaries that are impacting our culture and affecting social change through their innovative storytelling." Rae's Peabody Award-winning Insecure, sketch comedy A Black Lady Sketch Show, Rap Sh!t, and other television accomplishments have set new standards for programming while matching the ideals of Peabody's goal to highlight stories that matter.
According to Peabody, the Career Achievement Award "is reserved for individuals whose work and commitment to broadcasting and streaming media have left an indelible mark on the field and in American culture." Tomlin's awards include two Peabodys, seven Emmys, two Tonys, and a Grammy. Tomlin will join other awardees such as Rita Moreno, Cicely Tyson, and Sam Pollard in obtaining this accolade.
The 2023 Peabody entertainment candidates include Abbott Elementary, Mo, Reservation Dogs, and We're Here. The Peabody Awards' board of jurors selected 69 nominees in the categories of entertainment, arts, children's/youth, podcast/radio, interactive & immersive, public service, news, and documentary.