By CDD Executive Director Anita Thomas
Here is Black History – at the November 2025 Governors’ Ball Oscar ceremony, L-to-R: Danny Brown, Wynn’s protege; CDD executive director Anita Thomas; top line producer Preston Holmes; multi-Oscars-winning costume designer Ruth Carter; Honorary Oscar winner Wynn Thomas; and major film producer Stephanie Allain
My older brother, Wynn Thomas , is a trailblazer in Black history. As the first African American production designer in film, his legendary career has earned him a 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Art Directors Guild and a 2025 Honorary Oscar.
Born in West Philadelphia in 1953, Wynn inherited his artistic talent from our father. Our grandmother loves to tell the story of losing 7-year-old Wynn in Gimbels department store and finding him in the shoe department, focused and sketching on a shoe box lid. He later honed his craft in the performing arts program at Philadelphia’s Overbrook High School, joining the ranks of famous alumni like Will Smith, Stan Lathan.
Beyond his professional success, Wynn is a man of immense strength and character. He is a 15-year cancer survivor and has lived with HIV since the 1980s. He is an exceptional brother, son, grandson, nephew, uncle, moral leader- and human being – who continues to inspire everyone he meets.
Learn more about his legacy at WynnThomas.com.
