00:00I grew up on the south side of Chicago, where kids who have a song are often silenced before they
00:09ever get a chance to sing it.
00:11I was one of those kids, the daughter of a janitress, my mother Christine, a single mother who was the
00:19very definition of elegance and essence.
00:23But what my mother didn't know was that through her pride and unshakable dignity, she was already teaching us what
00:33real strength and a real black woman looks like.
00:37In 2020, me, little old Cheryl Porter, the daughter of a janitress, went on social media.
00:44And I told at the time, three million followers, that I was launching my very first online singing course.
00:52No marketing, no funnels, no opt-ins, no fancy strategy.
01:00So tonight I dedicate this award to my incredible mother Christine and everyone who's ever felt small, unseen, or told
01:11that their voice did not matter.
01:12Because it does matter.
01:15You do have a song, and the world needs to hear it.
01:19And as a multilingual black woman who has traveled to over 50 countries, the world is yours.
01:26And don't let anyone tell you that the doors are closed.
01:33You are the key.
01:37Thank you, Essence, for celebrating every song who dares to sing.
01:42Even when no one's listening.
01:44I'm so honored.
01:45Thank you so much.
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