Viola Davis Is Redefining What it Means to Be a Black Woman on TV "Out of Necessity" instyle.com

At the 71st Emmy Awards on September 22, Viola Davis appeared as a presenter and a nominee for her role in How To Get Away With Murder. The actress wore a black-and-white Alberta Ferretti gown she had paired with platform New Balance sneakers to TV’s biggest night, proving that she remains an innovator. Davis’ journey at the Emmys began in 2015 when she became the first woman of color to win in the lead actress category, for her role in HTGAWM, on which she’s also a producer — a dual, on-and-offscreen role she says came “out of necessity.”