For his unprecedented achievements in television and his commitment to offering opportunities to marginalized communities through personal and The Perry Foundation programs of inclusion, engagement, employment and other philanthropic initiatives.
This year's Pioneer Award is given to producer Tyler Perry. More than any one recently in Hollywood, Perry proved that black film and black theme movies have value at the box office and on TV. Without his amazing output of movies and groundbreaking success at the box office the greatness of 2013 in terms of being a great year in black cinema would have never happened. Tyler is truly a modern-day Oscar Micheaux. Tyler continues to expand the boundaries of what black filmmakers can achieve and embody the very essence of the word Pioneer.