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2002 Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Max Smith, 212-558-5371

URBAN LEAGUE CONGRATULATES HALLE BERRY, DENZEL WASHINGTON

ON HISTORIC BEST ACTOR AND ACTRESS OSCAR WINS

New York, NY, March 25, 2002–The National Urban League today extended congratulations to Halle Berry and Denzel Washington, winners of this year’s Best Actor and Best Actress Academy Awards, respectively.

"As recipients of the acting industry’s highest honors, Ms. Berry and Mr. Washington have broken new ground for African Americans and all performers of color," National Urban League president Hugh B. Price said.

"As the standard bearers of superior talent, incomparable grace and artistic excellence, the League can think of no greater representatives than Halle Berry and Denzel Washington to break down the doors that blocked opportunity in the Academy Awards’ history.

Their achievements have expanded opportunity for numerous other talented African-American actors and artists of all races and ethnicities.

The National Urban League commends you on your achievements Ms. Berry and Mr. Washington. We are humbled by your talent, inspired by your commitment and made proud by your accomplishment. Congratulations and Best Wishes!"

Ms. Berry, who took home the Oscar for her role in Monster’s Ball, is the first African-American female to win the Best Actress Oscar in the Academy Award’s 74-year history. Prior to her win, Hattie MacDonald had won for Best Supporting Actress in 1939’s Gone With the Wind. Whoppie Goldberg won for Best Supporting Actress for Ghost in 1990.

Mr. Washington, who garnered his win for Training Day, has been nominated several times, previously won Best Supporting actor for the critically-acclaimed Glory (1989). His historic win breaks a nearly 40-year lock out for African American actors since Sidney Poitier won the first, and previously only Best Actor award snagged by an African-American, for 1963’s Lilies of the Field.

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Urban League Congratulates Berry, Washington…Page Two

The Academy also honored Mr. Poitier with a Career Achievement Award shortly before Ms. Berry’s and Mr. Washington’s wins were announced.

"Taken all together, the 2002 Academy Award celebration was a wonderful testament to the talent and perseverance of actors of color," Mr. Price added.

The Urban League is the nation’s oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. The National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads the nonprofit, nonpartisan movement, while Urban League affiliates operate in more than 100 cities in 34 states and the District of Columbia.