Rihanna Calls for Unity While Accepting the President’s Award at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards

Rihanna is now a member of a quite elite group of winners — which includes Muhammad Ali, Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Williams sisters — following being honored with the President’s Award in the course of Saturday’s 51st NAACP Image Awards.

“I am going to try out to hold this uncomplicated, since tonight actually is not about me,” Rihanna said onstage. “Since the goal is even bigger than me… My component is a quite compact component of the perform which is being done in this environment — and the perform which is nonetheless to be done.”

In reflecting on her historical past of philanthropy, she ongoing, “If there is certainly anything at all that I’ve acquired, we can only take care of this environment jointly. We are unable to do it divided. I can’t emphasize that ample. We can’t allow the de-sensitivity seep in. The, ‘If it can be your dilemma, it can be not mine’… When we are marching and protesting and putting up about the Michael Brown Jr.’s and the Atatiana Jefferson’s of the environment, explain to your good friends to pull up.”

“We have been denied chances given that the commencing of time, and however we prevail,” Rihanna concluded. “Consider what we could do jointly.”

The global tunes and trend icon, business entrepreneur, and philanthropist was provided the exclusive recognition for her achievement and perform in community company. Rihanna has utilized her system to even further philanthropic initiatives shut to her heart, which includes the start of the Clara Lionel Basis in honor of her grandparents, and being an outspoken advocate for younger persons all around the environment.

“Rihanna has not only savored a groundbreaking job as an artist and musician, but has also distinguished herself as a stellar community servant,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “From her business achievements via Fenty, to her large report as an activist and philanthropist, Rihanna epitomizes the sort of character, grace, and devotion to justice that we request to spotlight in our President’s Award.”

Initially handed out in 1987, the President’s Award has gone to anyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Kerry Washington, and from Condoleezza Rice to Spike Lee. 

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