American pop singer, Mariah Carey and George C. Wolfe, director of the acclaimed film adaptation of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, have been named among the super stars to receive special awards at the 12th annual African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) Awards, which will be presented virtually on April 7.
Carey is to receive the innovator award, which will recognize her unique ability and creative role in music.
“Mariah Carey is often recognized as a global icon for her musical gifts, but rarely is she celebrated for the visual storytelling in her music videos and specials,” said Gil Robertson, the association’s president. “We’re recognizing her as a creator. She has been very involved over the years in the creation, stories and storylines in her videos and we thought she deserved recognition.”
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Wolfe is set to receive the salute to excellence award. In addition to directing the Oscar-bound film adaptation of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, starring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman, Wolfe has had a long career as a playwright and director in both theater and film. He has received Tony Awards for both direction of a play, Angels in America: Millennium Approaches (1993), and direction of a musical, Bring in ‘da Noise/Bring in ‘da Funk (1996).
Musicians who have received special awards from the AAFCA in the past include Glory co-writers John Legend and Common and Harold Wheeler, the multi-talented orchestrator, composer, conductor, arranger and record producer.
