Trae Holiday's Emmy Win: A Journey of Black Joy and Community
Trae Holiday’s Emmy win last night is more than just an award; it’s a testament to the power of community, authenticity, and the unwavering commitment to storytelling integrity. The win, recognized at the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Northwest (NATASNW) gala for “The Day With Trae Show Intro” sparked a wave of joy and reflection on her journey.
Holiday's initial reaction was one of surreal joy. As someone who began her career in TV, film, acting, and modeling, she never imagined having her own show, let alone one that would win an Emmy Award. "You know, who would have told me when I started training that I would one day have my own show that would win an Emmy. And that's really centered on community," Holiday said. What makes this victory particularly special is that it honors Holiday’s dedication to showcasing community stories and doing so as her authentic self. She expressed how meaningful it was to be recognized without having to change who she is. "I don't have to change who I am in any way. I get to really show up as my authentic self, and that was honored, that was recognized tonight, and that, for me, is everything so joy is abound right now," she explained.
Many people have played a role in Holiday’s journey. She credits Omari Salisbury for his constant support, which has provided opportunities and amplified her approach to uplifting community stories. "It starts with Omari Salisbury," Holiday stated, "I mean, really big O has had a huge hand in just not only the building up of Converge Media, but the constant opportunities for me to be elevated and amplified in my approach to uplifting and helping to steward community stories." Erik Kalligraphy, the director and producer of The Day With Trae's show intro, is also noted as a thought partner who brought his whole self to the work. Interns Naya and Tavis, alongside editors Omi Salisbury, Emilio Dominguez, Ruben Solis, and the wider Converge Media team, are all acknowledged as part of the extended family that made this possible. Holiday also expressed gratitude for her personal support system, including her mother and family.
The award-winning video also saw collaborations beyond Converge Media. Francisco “Dead Eyez” Lopez, with his visionary and cinematic style, brought a unique perspective to the project as director. "The workmanship of Francisco, he and his director's eye on this particular video are just huge, right? He has such a visionary style, cinema, cinematic style, that he brought to this project," Holiday remarked. Hip-Hop luminary and iconic producer Vitamin D provided a 90s-style beat and even made a rare rap appearance. "We walked into his studio, Erik and I said, look, we need a 90s style beat. The very first beat he played us is what you all are rocking to for the intro to The Day With Trey," she recalled. Koach Crosby and his team brought the choreography and dancers, including some who had worked with him years ago. "It was such a huge community contribution, and that's really why this win is all for community," Holiday emphasized.
The win aligns perfectly with Converge Media's "Black Joy" journey, declared on January 1, 2025. Holiday sees the project as more than just a doubling down on this journey; it exemplifies it. "When we talk about what Black joy looks like, we have to exemplify it. And this project does that," she said. The video features young people and elders, capturing genuine moments of Black joy that reflect their culture, traditions, heritage, and legacy. "We want that same joy and energy to be contagious for all Black communities globally," Holiday added.
Ultimately, Holiday wants people to know that they can be themselves and uplift community stories with integrity. "I want people to know that they can be themselves and uplift stories of the community without having to fit into a box, into a mold, without having to change and maneuver and assimilate," she emphasized. She believes everyone has the power to elevate and amplify narratives. "Just know that we all have the power to elevate and amplify stories," Holiday stated. This Emmy win is a testament to Holiday's vision and commitment to genuine, community-driven storytelling, as well as Black joy.
