Spike Lee says his films and his students will define his legacy.
The Oscar-winning filmmaker, 68, made the statement at the Critics’ Choice Association’s 8th Celebration of Black Cinema & Television.
“It’s two things: the movies, and I’m also a teacher,” Lee said People.
Lee, a former professor at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, said teaching has been as meaningful to him as his career in film.
“So my students, many of them have made a career out of it,” he added as he reflected on his 31-year educational journey.
Lee also joked about recently securing tenure, saying, “So they can’t fire me. NYU can’t fire me.”
During the ceremony, Lee was honored with the Career Achievement Award for his influential work over more than four decades.
The Critics’ Choice Association also praised his films for redefining black life through his films She must have it, School buzz, Do the right thing, Malcolm X, BlackKkKlansman And Da 5 Blood.
The organization also spotlighted Lee’s documentary work, including 4 little girlswhich earned an Academy Award nomination, and If God wills it And Da Creek Don’t get upwhich won two Emmys.
Lee, who recently received Harvard University’s WEB Du Bois Medal, has previously said that his most personal legacy will be his family.
“My No. 1 legacy will come through my children,” he said Vulturereferring to his son Satchel, 31, and daughter Jackson, 28, whom he shares with wife Tonya Lewis Lee.
