Black Panther Queen Angela Bassett gave a powerful speech after accepting her honorary Oscar for her many contributions to the film industry.
Angela, alongside fellow recipients including actor and filmmaker Mel Brooks and film editor Carol Littleton, received the honorary award.
Michelle Satter also received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
Bassett began her speech by shouting out her friends and family, including her sister D’nette, her longtime husband Courtney B. Vance, and their 17-year-old twins, daughter Bronwyn and son Slater.
“They have each, in their way, made space in our lives to allow me the freedom to be a sister, a mother, a wife and an actor,” she said of their support. “I love you wholly and deeply.”
In her speech, Bassett reflected on the history of Black actresses in Hollywood and looked ahead to the future, as she was only the second black actress to receive the award.
The “9-1-1” actress gave flowers to the “trailblazing” Black actresses who had come before and gave a shout-out to the talents who are working hard today.
“But this honor isn’t just for or about me,” she continued. “What I hope this moment means is that we are taking the necessary steps toward a future in which it is the norm, not the exception, to see and embrace one another’s full humanity, stories, and perspectives. This must be our goal, and to always remember that there is room for us all. When we stand together, we win together.”
