“Black Panther” costume designer and Hampton University grad, Ruth E. Carter made history at the Oscars on Sunday, becoming the first Black woman to win two Oscars.
Last night, she took home the Oscar for Best Costume Design for her work on “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” This milestone comes just four years after she became the first Black woman to win in the same category for her work on the first “Black Panther” film.
In addition to becoming the first Black woman to be a two-time winner in any category, she is also the first person to win a costume design Oscar for designing both an original film and its sequel.
“Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the superhero that is a Black woman,” said Carter during her acceptance speech. “She endures, she loves, she overcomes, she is every woman in this film.”
She dedicated the moment to her late mother, Mabel Carter, who she said died within the last week at age 101.
“This film prepared me for this moment,” she said. “Chadwick, please take care of Mom” — referring to the late “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman.
After winning, Carter said in the Oscars press room that she hopes her win will inspire young costume designers.
“I pulled myself up from my bootstraps … So I feel that this one opens the door for other young costume designers that may not think that this industry is for them and hopefully they’ll see me and they’ll see my story and they will think they can win an Oscar too.”
– Oscar winner, Ruth E. Carter
Carter graduated from Hampton University in 1982. She previously credited her Hollywood success to her time at the HBCU.
“I credit my experiences in the Little Theatre on campus as the catalyst for my career in Hollywood,” said Carter. “My dream began in the costume shop on the second floor of Armstrong Hall and took me to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Hampton University Repertory Theatre can provide that same inspiration for students who want to pursue a career in the arts, TV, and film industries. I’ve also established an endowed scholarship to assist students with financial aid to help make their dreams come true.”
