Photo: Ketel One Vodka

Colman Domingo x Ketel One Credit: Ketel One Vodka

Colman Domingois enjoying his victory lap.

TheEuphoriastar tells PEOPLE his first Emmy win foroutstanding guest actor in a drama seriesfeels “private and lovely” as he discusses his collaboration withKetel One Vodka, the spirits partner of the 74thEmmy Awards.

He reveals that the first thing he did with his Emmy was take it toEuphoriacreator Sam Levinson’s house the next day, “because so much of it flows from Sam, to give me this space of creativity and creating a role like this for me.”

“I just wanted to express my gratitude, make sure it was in his hand,” explains Domingo, 52. “And we just loved on each other and hung out with his wife and one of his sons.”

Ketel One Vodka

Colman Domingo x Ketel One Credit: Ketel One Vodka

After Domingo paid a visit to Levinson, he returned to work and gave a friend notes on her new film. because “I just wanted to know that the work continues — that this is a moment, but the whole point of it is so we can get back to the work that we love.”

For more on the Emmy Awards, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.

TheZolaactor,who is openly gay, explains that “nothing has been easy and given” to him in his career, but challenges “helped me figure out how to create for myself and create space for myself.”

“I know that my win is a huge boon for not only African American men that look like me, but also people who live in queer spaces as well,” Domingo muses. “And showing that there’s no limits to what we can play, what we can do.”

RELATED VIDEO: How Colman Domingo and Niecy Nash Became Chosen Family: ‘I Can Call Him with Tears in My Eyes’

Domingo also notes the importance of creating “a platform that’s truly my own,” as he is also as a writer, director and producer, priding himself on the fact that “no one has boxed me in because I haven’t boxed myself in.”

“There’s no difference between me and a lot of my colleagues who haven’t gotten the shine. But it hopefully tells them to keep doing the work. Keep showing up. Keep creating for yourselves and building strong relationships. And it’s available to you as well,” he says. “So, I know that many people have reached out and said I’m an inspiration in that way and it helps them to keep going.”

“I think I’m most proud that I’ve survived in this industry for 32 years,” Domingo affirms.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

source: people.com