In describing the women honored at Essence’s seventh annual Black Women in Hollywood luncheon held on Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Ward offered these words of praise, “Intellect, beauty and grace. They have it all.”
Black Women in Hollywood recognized the outstanding achievements of trailblazing women in film and television. Three of the year’s most impactful and inspiring talents with the Black Women in Hollywood Award: 2014 Academy Award nominee Lupita Nyong’o (Best Breakthrough Performance); Cheryl Boone Isaacs (Trailblazer Award) and Ava DuVernay (Visionary Award).
Ward, who serves as president of community relations for Target, has been with the retailer for over 20 years and credits her success to “Standing on the shoulders of giants. Like many of the women here, I’ve had positive role models in business and in my family. I’ve been fortunate to learn from the best and how they’ve been resilient. I try to learn from them and give back as well to future generations. Businesses thrive when communities thrive.”
Target has made communities its priority by giving “Five percent back since its inception. [Target] considers giving back a privilege and an obligation. On behalf of today’s honorees, [Target] will make a $50,000 donation to the Smithsonian’s new Museum of African American History and Culture,” said Ward.
Opening in Washington, D.C., in 2015, the museum hopes to be a place that transcends the boundaries of race and culture that divide us, and becomes a lens into a story that unites us all.
Additionally, Ward praised first lady Michelle Obama, “I lived and worked in Chicago so I actually got to meet her before she became the first lady. She is still the same grounded, humble person she was before.”
Click here to watch the video. Also, check out the star-studded photo gallery.
