Angela Bassett Receives the 2019 ICON Award at the BGR Awards | BLACK GIRLS ROCK!

Everyone remembers this with the cigarette movement, she inspired generations of female empowerment when they see that gift, they know it's coming down, it's okay,

angela

bassett

, my sister, you devour every role you play, taking no prisoners and knowing no limits,

angela

, you are the queen mother of wakanda and you are our queen in real life this year's winner of the

black

girl

rock

icon

award

the incomparable angela

bassett

hello sisters, you are good, you look good, you look good, you look like a letter from home, I always look forward to seeing it The Black Girls Rock Awards are a very special night of tribute and recognition to us, so it means a lot to me to be here with you tonight.

I am often asked in interviews if my portrayal of strong, intelligent women throughout my career has been on purpose and thinking about what to tell you tonight the word purpose and what it means has filled my spirit we all have a purpose even if we still We struggle to understand what that is when I decided, as a teenager, that acting would be my path if I recognized it Whether it was or not, I was walking towards my purpose as a young actress, trying to make my way, survival was in the equation, but no enough to be willing to compromise my integrity, it hasn't always been easy and there have been difficult times. when the phone didn't ring even after what does love have to do with it, as well as moments of uncertainty and doubt, but what women like my mother Betty Jane and my Aunt Golden taught me is that there will be times when you will seemingly face something. insuperable. obstacles but that's when you dig deep into your soul for the courage and strength to move forward and never forget that despite life's detours you are destined for greatness.

My purpose tonight is to say thank you, thank you to my beautiful family. husband Courtney to my kids Bronwyn and Slater for giving me the opportunity and space to be a cool

black

girl. Thank you to Bet and Beverly Bond and everyone who works so hard to bring us together for this momentous annual celebration. It is imperative that we continue to support events that uplift us, that recognize our contributions, and that help us feel a connectivity that allows us to see each other even when we sometimes cannot see each other. I accept this

award

on behalf of the

icon

ic women who have inhabited me. who have empowered me, inspired me, strengthened and uplifted me thank you rosa parks thank you tina turner thank you coretta scott king betty shabazz katherine jackson thank you voletto wallace I say their names because when you show gratitude you are able to remember that you didn't do it You don't get there alone this place on your journey, oh you had help, you had support, you had guidance and it is this community that feeds our souls when we are left empty, so when they tell you that you are not good enough, tell them.

I'm not just good enough, I'm more than enough when they say send her back home, you tell them I'm home, I'm the foundation of what we call home, they tell you you're angry or nasty, you tell them they You are wrong, this is me, this is me being determined and firm in my truth and when they say you are not beautiful, you tell them that you are descended from royalty and that you are a queen. I encourage you to live this experience with you as you make your respective journeys knowing that we were there for each other tonight, the freedom fighter Serger, the truth is one of my personal heroes, so I have chosen to close my time here with you tonight with her words if the first woman God ever created. was strong enough to turn this world upside down these women together should be able to fix it again so sisters we have a lot of work to do and together we are unstoppable always remember that our voices are the power we have individually and all of us collectively yes it matters now no It's time to be silent Find your purpose Pursue it relentlessly Passionately and loudly Be persistent and win I love you We are all black

girls

who

rock

Thank you again for honoring me tonight If God be for you, who can? be against you this system