( 📸: Getty Images )
Cousins! Following an explosive year in music, Usher Raymond was honored with the President’s Award at this year’s Naacp Image Award ceremony!
President and CEO of the Naacp, Derrick Johnson presented Usher with the prestigious award for his “unparalleled talent and remarkable contribution” to entertainment on Saturday, March 16th in Los Angeles.
“Beyond his vocal talent and stage presence, Usher has empowered thousands of under-resourced youth to pursue their dreams through college readiness programs, financial literacy, and career planning. His dedication to creating positive change in the world has touched countless lives, redefining the boundaries of creativity and compassion,” said Derick.
As the legendary singer took the stage, he began to reflect on his impactful 30-year career, while recognizing his mother for being the foundation of his accomplishments. He also thanked all the women in his life who have contributed to his success including his wife Jennifer and grandmother Ernestine Carter.
“I’m very honored to receive this amazing award; from the depths of my soul, my passion work is what has mattered to me since my mother has made me understand what the opportunity to be able to speak to the entire world is,” Usher began.
“I wanted to make it known that far too often, women in our industry [don’t] get the recognition that they truly deserve. When we first started, it was even harder for a mother to believe in the dreams that I had because I was unwavering, being raised without a father. In our home being raised [by] a single parent…it was a lot. But [mom], if anybody deserves it more than anybody, it’s her.”
“The tenacity that it took to look within a male-dominated industry and believe in your son unwaveringly, no matter how hard those board rooms may have been, she didn’t have the experience…but because of that, I have this moment,” Usher continued.
“I want you to know how much I really love, honor, recognize, and appreciate you. It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by the NAACP in and this beautiful community. We all take our crafts very serious…I am thankful for the support that my mother gave me. I’m overwhelmed by the appreciation from my entire family. I thank my beautiful mother and my beautiful wife, Jennifer, for holding me down. I dedicate this award to family.”
Usher went on to pay homage to previous recipients of the President’s Award such as Spike Lee, LeBron James, Rihanna, Ella Fitzgerald, Jay-Z, and more as he expressed that he is in great company.
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