Viola Davis – screenshot
*Oscar-winning EGOT Viola Davis has never been one to mince words, and when she speaks about the future of Black cinema, the industry listens. In a recent interview, Davis offered high praise for actor, director, and producer Michael B. Jordan, calling him a transformative force who is poised to elevate African American storytelling to new heights.
In a conversation with Variety published on March 10 (2026), Davis reflected on a recent viral moment when she presented Jordan with the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role award at the 2026 Actor Awards for his work in the horror-thriller Sinners. Her exuberant announcement—shouting, “You are shining, Harold Loomis. Shining like new money”—became an internet sensation. Davis explained that the line, from August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, signified witnessing someone step fully into their purpose.
“Michael B. Jordan is an incredible human and an incredible leader,” Davis told Variety. “It’s extremely exciting what he’s going to become. Now he’s getting into directing, and he is going to bring African American filmmaking into a beautiful place.”
From Actor to Architect: Building a Legacy
Davis’s endorsement focuses on Jordan’s evolution from a leading man to a power player behind the camera. While he has delivered iconic performances in Fruitvale Station, Black Panther, and the Creed franchise, Davis specifically highlighted his work as a builder of worlds and opportunities.
This vision is most evident in Sinners, the 2025 Ryan Coogler-directed horror-thriller in which Jordan starred in a dual role as twin brothers. The film became a critical and cultural touchstone, earning BAFTA nominations and praise for its authentic blend of Black storytelling set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow South with supernatural horror elements.
Davis pointed to Jordan’s work through his production company, Outlier Society, which has been a beacon for inclusive storytelling. Jordan made headlines in 2018 by being the first actor to commit his company to adopting an inclusion rider, ensuring diversity in hiring both in front of and behind the camera. He has also spoken about his desire to move beyond playing “every historical Black figure” to instead build franchises and narratives that create opportunities for other creatives of color.
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