Costume designer Dede Ayite just won her first Tony Award. And, backstage right after her win at the 77th Annual Tony Awards, Ayite was quick to mention the historical nature of her win: "I believe I'm the first Black costume designer to win this award. That, I'm hoping, inspires other younger designers to know when it feels impossible, even when they're unsure, to just keep moving forward." Watch her full reaction to Playbill in the video above, in an interview with Playbill's Jeffrey Vizcaíno.

Ayite won for her costume design for Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. She was also nominated at this year's ceremony for Best Costume Design of a Musical for Hell's Kitchen and Best Costume Design of a Play for Appropriate (she was previously Tony-nominated for Slave Play and A Soldier's Play). The prolific designer is also currently designing Home and will design the upcoming Broadway revival of Our Town.

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For more about the Tony Awards, visit Playbill.com/Tonys.