11-year-old Keivonn Woodard from Bowie, Maryland, made history as the first Black deaf actor to be nominated for an Emmy Award.
He received a nomination in the category of Outstanding Guest Actor in a drama series for his role in HBO’s “The Last of Us.”
Keivonn is also the youngest and first-ever deaf black person to be nominated in that category.
An astonished Keivonn was thrilled by the nomination. In an interview, Keivonn Woodard said that the role was challenging for his as he had to learn the American Sign Language but with the assistance of those on set, he was able to achieve the role.
His mother April Jackson-Woodard also shared her joy and surprise, saying she “never thought or dreamed it will happen to her son especially on his first TV show.”
Keivonn Woodard also encouraged child actors like him to be confident in attending auditions regardless of their disability or not.
