Sheryl Lee Ralph was honored during the 16th Annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards Luncheon earlier this week and the Abbott Elementary star gave a powerful speech that every Black girl needs to hear!
The Emmy Award winning actress started her acceptance speech with song, her own take on Dianne Reeves’ “Endangered Species,” belting out “I am an endangered species, but I sing no victim’s song. I am a woman – Black woman – I am an artist, and I know where my voice belongs.”
How fitting it is that I get to end this awards season with all of you.
“How fitting it is that I get to end this awards season with all of you,” Ralph said to all in attendance including fellow honorees: “The Woman King” director Gina Prince-Bythewood, “Till” star Danielle Deadwyler, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” breakout star Dominique Thorne and Freeform and Onyx Collective president Tara Duncan.
Check out her powerful speech below:
