Artists talk about Black excellence at the NAACP Image Awards

The fifty fifth Annual NAACP Image Awards was a star-studded event, with a night showcasing outstanding creative talent from the entertainment industry.

The fundamental theme of the ceremony was black excellence. On the carpet, award winners and attendees told Grio about what it means to be an example of Black excellence in your industry and community. Vanguard Award honorees June Ambrose, MC Lyte, Devale Ellis and more dropped by to share some gems during this great evening.

See what your favorite black stars should say:

June Ambrose

“Black excellence is what we stand for,” Ambrose said. “This is the ground we stand on. It is the walls that support, incubate and protect us. This is a community and when Black excellence recognizes each other, we realize we need to work together more. So we too can create change… It is a rekindle and reminder that our tribes must continue to move forward together.”

Devale Ellis

“Black excellence means so much because Black people are not a monolith,” Ellis said. “Black excellence is revolutionary. Black excellence is changing the narrative of who Black people think they are.”

MC Lyte

“Being a beacon of hope for your community,” Lyte told the Grio each day. “It means bringing back useful information and something good. Good resources that can be used. Just continue to be a channel for God to come through.”

Chido Nwokocha

“Black excellence is creativity,” Nwokocha said. “We are beautiful, creative people and that’s what drives this excellence.

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Pinky Cole

“I want all creators and highly imaginative people to have the mindset of passing on their skills to succeed wherever they go,” Cole told theGrio. “It’s a tool worth more than money and publicity.”

Danielle Pinnock

“Black excellence is about always and forever rising and surpassing everything,” Pinnock said. “We are a culture. We are the whole lot. Our melanin is the whole lot; we’re hit makers. Everyone is looking at us. Being on this room and sitting at this table means the world to me and makes me feel like I’m a part of this culture – part of what is moving and shaking.”

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