Lena Waithe Accepts the Variety Creative Conscience Impact Award [Video]

American screenwriter, producer and actor Lena Waithe was honored with the Variety Creative Conscience Impact Award at the Framline48 Film Festival, hosted by media arts nonprofit Framline, in San Fransico on Saturday, June 29.

The award celebrates an individual in entertainment who personifies the industry’s dedication to humanitarian, cultural and charitable causes. Waithe was selected as this year’s recipient for her accomplishments as a filmmaker, her work as an entrepreneur and commitment to championing Black and queer communities.

Waithe reflected in on her time in Hollywood as she accepted the award. During her speech, Waithe said, “What I’ve been learning to do is embrace not just the sun, but the storm as well. And I think that is what conscience is. It’s having to acknowledge the good parts of us and the bad.”

Following the award presentation, Waithe sat down with Variety senior artisans editor Jazz Tangcay to discuss the ups and downs of her career.

Waithe’s big break …