Photo Credit: Valerie Brooks/WENN.com
On Saturday, Feb. 11, black excellence was honored during the annual NAACP Image Awards, which shines a light on the outstanding representations and achievements of people of color in motion pictures, television, music and literature. Among the many winners of the night like Taraji P. Henson and Mahershala Ali, Denzel Washington also took home an award.
Denzel won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his role as Troy Maxon in the August Wilson adapted film Fences. As a 62-year-old veteran in the industry, Washington, who is a two-time Academy Award winning actor, and recently won a SAG Best Actor award for Fences, has always used his platform, especially during these prestigious shows, to hand out words of wisdom. Or as DJ Khaled would put it, major keys.
During the NAACP Image Awards, he did the same, focusing on the importance of resilience. “Fall down seven times, get up eight,” he said to the crowd. Washington also praised Hollywood newcomers for their courage, in particular Barry Jenkins, the director of Moonlight. “I am particularly proud and happy about the young filmmakers, actors, singers, writers, producers that are coming up behind my generation, in particular Barry Jenkins,” he continued. “Young people understand, this young man made 10, 15, 20 short films before he got the opportunity to make Moonlight, so never give up. Without commitment you’ll never start but more importantly without consistency you’ll never finish.”
Watch Denzel Washington’s equally moving and motivating speech below.
