As soon as nominations were announced on Feb. 3, the foreign press association was harshly criticized for overlooking films with mostly Black casts, including Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods.” But the ceremony began with back-to-back honors for Black actors. The night’s first winner was Daniel Kaluuya, for best supporting actor for his performance as the Black Panther leader Fred Hampton in “Judas and the Black Messiah.” John Boyega then won best supporting actor in a TV series for playing a police officer in Amazon’s “Small Axe.”

Pixar’s “Soul,” which featured a Black protagonist — an aspiring jazz musician in search of his inspiration — won the Globe for best animated film. In an awkward moment, Pete Docter, who directed “Soul,” and Dana Murray, the film’s primary producer, both of whom are white, gave live acceptance speeches while the film’s co-director, Kemp Powers, who is Black, seemed to receive short shrift, offering thanks in a taped video that played on Docter’s iPad. (Kemp had apparently been told only on Sunday that he was a nominee. Co-directors have been excluded in the past.)

“One Night in Miami,” a fact-based drama about a meeting of four Black luminaries, received three nominations, including for Regina King’s directing and Leslie Odom Jr.’s portrayal of Sam Cooke. The film’s best hope was in the song category, where its contemplative “Speak Now,” sung and co-written by Odom, drew a nod. But the Globe for best song unexpectedly went to Diane Warren and contributors for “Io Si,” from “The Life Ahead,” a Netflix entry.

The press association’s lack of diversity was a recurring motif throughout the show. “It’s great to be Black (back) at the Golden Globes,” said Sterling K. Brown when he took the stage with his “This Is Us” co-star Susan Kelechi Watson to present two awards.

Chadwick Boseman won a posthumous Globe for his lead performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”

Taylor Simone Ledward, Boseman’s widow, accepted Boseman’s award in the most emotional moment of the night. “He would say something beautiful, something inspiring, something that would amplify that little voice inside of all of us that tells you to keep going, that calls you back to what you are meant to be doing at this moment in history,” she said.

In a surprise, Andra Day won best actress in a drama for “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” Carey Mulligan (“Promising Young Woman”), Viola Davis (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) and Frances McDormand (“Nomadland”) were all considered strong contenders.