Black filmmakers and black actors and actresses all came together to show each other love. From the Essence “Black Women in Hollywood” brunch to the Icon Mann and Spirit Awards, Black Hollywood has been showing solidarity this Oscar weekend. Stars such as Don Cheadle, Sanna Lathan, Regina King, Regina Hall, Angela Bassett, Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Ealy all have been out on the town attending various ceremonies celebrating their own.

Spike Lee says the unification has to continue all year around: “It shouldn’t take award season for that to happen,” the outspoken visionary said at the Icon Mann awards at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. “We just gotta keep doing our thing. Everybody do their thing. That’s what it’s gonna take. No rivalries. Everybody doing their thing supporting each other.”

Of course Spike, for the first time, is nominated in the category of Best Director and Best Film in this year’s Academy Awards. His accolades come from 2018’s “BlacKkKlansman” which was co-produced by Lee and Jordan Peele. While many feel that Spike should have won at least a couple times already with his outstanding body of work, especially his early classic, the Brooklyn born lens man calmly stated the obvious: “you gotta be nominated first. First time nominee for director. First time nominee for best picture. First time.”

During the Icon Mann ceremony, Lee was honored for his almost 35 years of cinema contributions along with Samuel L. Jackson and trailblazing stylist Ruth E. Carter, who’s up for Oscar for Black Panther in Costume Design.

“Her first job in cinema was in ‘School Daze,’” Spike said proudly. “The next one was in ‘Do The Right Thing.’ After that was ‘Mo Better...’Then she got a nomination in ‘Malcom X.’”

“What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “The Five Heartbeats,” “The Butler” “Selma” and the tv series “Being Mary Jane” are also on Carter’s resume. Lee has no doubt his longtime friend is taking home an Oscar on Sunday night.

“She’s gonna win. She’s gonna win,” he promised. When asked about his own chances, the New York Knicks’ number one fan said: “You never know. It could be ‘Black Night Oscars.’ You don’t know.”

Lee's prophecy came to fruition. Carter won and during her acceptance speech, she made sure to tell the world Spike gave her her start.