00:00It's funny, I have a visionary award, because I have visualized in my life a moment that's public and special and beautiful.
00:28So I can say thank you to you.
00:33You don't get to the second step until there's a first step.
00:44I will never forget what we created together.
00:54I have so many people to thank because you don't stand alone and I want to thank Essence for starting the conversation with me as a young girl.
01:09So I knew I was a strong black woman, I came from black women, but Essence, when it hit the door every month, or mailbox, rather, you validated that.
01:21And I was called to write beautifully complex stories about us.
01:29And thank God BET wanted to go and descript it.
01:34Because you guys, nobody really wants our story.
01:40But here's the beautiful thing, I don't care.
01:42Like you Essence, you didn't wait for the Oscars to acknowledge us.
01:48You built this so we can acknowledge each other.
01:55And there's beauty and strength, and I say thank you.
01:57I say thank you.
02:01Being a visionary sometimes is a lonely place to be.
02:08And I always have to come here every year so I can feel my cup up, I can see your faces, hear your voices, so I can get back to work.
02:21I love you. Thank you.
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