September 17, 2025
Tillman attended not one however two HBCUs as he makes historical past for Black actors.
The 2025 Emmys ceremony had a historic night time, with one among its winners taking an award dwelling with HBCU satisfaction.
A spotlight of the Sept. 14 occasion was Tramell Tillman, who grew to become the primary Black man to win Greatest Supporting Actor in a Drama Collection. Tillman gained the award for his acclaimed efficiency as Seth Milchick within the Apple TV+ sequence Severance.
Tillman shouldn’t be solely making Black historical past with the win, but additionally HBCU historical past. An alum of Jackson State College, he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications. Nevertheless, forward of his commencement, Tillman attended one other HBCU earlier than turning into a family identify.
Born in Washington, D.C., but raised in neighboring Maryland, Tillman first enrolled at Xavier College of Louisiana in New Orleans. He majored in pre-med earlier than taking over a craft that might turn into his performing profession. Within the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Tillman transferred to a Mississippi HBCU, in accordance with HBCU GameDay.
Nevertheless, the actor determined to proceed his schooling on the College of Tennessee. Whereas additionally turning into the primary Black man on the faculty to finish his grasp’s in nice arts, Tillman recalled the racism that impacted his expertise.
“The pinnacle of performing warned it may be a deal breaker — I’d be the one Black particular person in that program, and practically the one Black male amongst school, workers and college students,” he advised Selection in an interview. I assumed, “Hey, free schooling; I’ll be taught.” However, I didn’t grasp what I used to be signing up for till I moved there. It was by no means intimidating — extra irritating, overwhelming and isolating.
He continued, “I endured being referred to as the N-word, adopted and taunted with ‘White energy!’ There have been numerous microaggressions. Once I reported incidents, some in the neighborhood would say, ‘Effectively, I didn’t see it,’ or ‘I didn’t suppose it was racist.’”
Now, Tillman reigns as a trailblazer for the Emmys, beating out his co-star and fellow historic nominee Zack Cherry. Tillman additionally reigns as the primary brazenly homosexual Black man to earn the popularity. In his acceptance speech, the 41-year-old spoke of the primary one who believed in his reward, his first performing coach.
“You bear in mind what you wish to bear in mind. You find time for what you wish to find time for, do the work, present up, and most significantly, for the love of God, don’t embarrass me in public,” Tillman joked earlier than revealing who impressed his speech.
He continued, “My first performing coach was robust, y’all, however all nice moms are. Mama, you have been there for me when nobody else was and nobody else would present up. Your loving kindness stays with me, and that is for you… As my mama would say, ‘have a look at God.’”
RELATED CONTENT: Free Speech On Trial: Texas Tech College Pupil Arrested And Expelled After Outburst At Charlie Kirk Vigil
About The Author
