00:00We're here at the Beverly Hills Hotel for the Essence Black Women in Hollywood
00:07luncheon. So excited to see all these ladies. Real fierce and fearless women
00:11celebrate and compliment other women and we recognize and embrace the notion that
00:18their shine in no way diminishes our light and that it actually makes our
00:23light shine brighter. The images that black women in Hollywood create are images
00:31that influence the entire world. Driven women, women who overcome struggle and
00:36challenge and hardship and are here standing proud. It's so empowering you
00:42leave the room completely empowered. In close proximity to you your fabulousness
00:46just spills off onto me and and I feel more glorious and smarter and capable so
00:55I am grateful today. I have always wanted to be recognized by Essence because I
01:02recognize myself from the very first issue. But just to be invited to sit
01:09amongst all of you talented beautiful women. I am really touched, very
01:17overwhelmed and extremely grateful. To be inspired and to be reminded of who I am.
01:26First I would like to thank God. I would also like to thank Essence for honor me with this award.
01:33I would also like to thank everyone who helped me play this part and everyone
01:40who was there for me and my babysitter that was on set. Thanks to everyone.
01:45Getting at the Ford Lincoln Motor Company, our sponsor today. So hello Shawn.
01:50Hello. Lincoln Motor Company is so proud to be here again this year. I believe this is
01:56our fourth year returning as the sponsor and it's important us to be where the
02:01African-American community is and why not this event. This event represents the best
02:05African-American women in Hollywood and that's why we're here. To see your peers go
02:11through some of the same struggles as you have and achieve their dreams and their
02:16goals. We have been in every part of Hollywood having our say-so both in front
02:21of them behind the camera. We applaud the collective efforts that we're all
02:25making and to just you know appreciate each other's craft. Being a visionary
02:30sometimes is a lonely place to be and I always have to come here every year so I
02:37can feel my cup up, I can see your faces, hear your voices, so I can get back to work.
02:43When the personality comes to serve the energy of the soul that is authentic power. I am
02:53grateful that you see me and that you have heard me and that what I have said has
03:01mattered. I am humbled by this day.
Comments