Several Black women of excellence were honored at Black Enterprise’s 11th Annual Legacy Awards. The gala took place during the Women of Power Summit which was held at Hilton Diplomat Resort in Hollywood, Florida.
Honorees included actress Vanessa Williams; golf pioneer Renee Powell; and founder of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Dr. N. Joyce Payne.
Williams, who has remained active in Hollywood, Broadway, and music for two decades, spoke about the importance of the honor and following in the footsteps of other Black women who laid down a foundation.
“I watch the reflections of women such as Cicely Tyson. These are the women who I adore and I look up to. The quiet moments with those women are what I relish the most. I’ve had a wonderful life where I’ve got a chance to sing at the Academy Awards, sing at the Super Bowl. I’ve met six presidents in my lifetime. But it’s the quiet moments, particularly with other Black women, that I cherish the most. They teach you their lessons. Tyson is shooting ‘House of Cards’ right now, she still hasn’t stopped. It’s the triumph that she has at 90 years-old is that inspires me,” Williams said.
After the ceremony, Williams’ daughter, Jillian Hervey, performed live as Lion Babe. The group continues to garner respect within the music industry and has worked with Pharrell Williams and Childish Gambino.
Black Enterprise’s Women of Power Summit will hold several conferences and events today and conclude on March 12.
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