10-year-old Pupil Sets Record in the US, Becomes First Black Deaf Actor to Earn Emmy Nomination

In a groundbreaking achievement, 10-year-old deaf actor Keivonn Woodard has made history as the first black deaf actor to earn a nomination in the 2023 Emmy Awards. Keivonn Woodard, an American prodigy, secured his nomination in the category of "Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series."

Woodard earned this prestigious nomination for his remarkable portrayal of Sam Burrell, an apocalypse survivor and the brother of the main character in HBO's hit drama series, "The Last of Us."The young actor, who also happens to be the youngest and first-ever deaf black individual to be nominated in this category, expressed his astonishment upon hearing the news. "I think that everybody should just do their best when they're trying to act and just go for the auditions," Woodard remarked.

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Despite the challenges he faced, including learning American Sign Language, Keivonn Woodard overcame obstacles with the support of his production team and his own determination. He encouraged other young actors, disabled or not, not to shy away from auditions. "Don't worry about it, and just go ahead and try to act your best. Yes, it was hard with the facial expressions and learning how to interpret the script for American Sign Language, but I think it's really important to also learn to listen to your production team and collaborate with them. I got in, and so can you," he added.

Keivonn's mother, April Jackson-Woodard, has been inundated with messages of congratulations since her son's nomination. Reflecting on the journey, she shared her emotional response, "People kept sending messages, and I cried immediately because I never thought or dreamed it would happen to my son. You know, I never even considered it."

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April Jackson-Woodard, a black deaf widow, faced the challenges of raising her son alone but found strength in Keivonn's determination. "After Keivonn got the role, I asked myself, 'How do I even prepare my life?' It wasn't easy, especially as a Black Deaf mother and also being a widow. I was trying to take care of everything on my own, but he would say, 'Mom, I got this.' And he did," she added.

Keivonn's journey in the world of acting began in 2018 when he made his film debut in "Seeds of Hope: The Andrew Jackson Foster Story." His nomination for an Emmy award now marks a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.

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This remarkable achievement highlights that there is no age limit to academic excellence and setting exceptional records in the United States. Keivonn's story serves as an inspiration, proving that talent, determination, and hard work can break barriers and open doors to unprecedented opportunities.