At the beginning of the 2024 NAACP Image Awards, Queen Latifah shared a special message she received from Vice President Kamala Harris. The Vice President urged the show’s host to encourage the audience to participate in the voting process this year.
During her introductory speech, Queen Latifah touched on the challenges Americans are currently facing, including inflation. This led Taraji P. Henson to highlight the ongoing issue of pay disparity for Black actresses in Hollywood.
Queen Latifah, in her monologue, pointed out the critical issues at hand. “We’re all talking about inflation these days. But do you know what’s not affected by inflation?” she asked. The attention then shifted to Henson, who was among the audience. She seized the moment to advocate for “Equal pay for Black actresses.”
The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, prompting Queen Latifah to express her gratitude to Henson. “Thank you, Taraji, for standing up for all of us,” she said.
The ceremony’s host took a moment to honor Black actresses. She asked them to stand and be recognized for their representation and achievements. Before they could sit down, Queen Latifah made a further request. She asked everyone in the room to stand in solidarity with Black actresses, acknowledging their contributions and thanking them for their representation.
Taraji P. Henson later took the stage to accept the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in “The Color Purple.” In her acceptance speech, she thanked her supporters for standing by her, especially after she publicly addressed Hollywood’s pay inequality.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you for your unwavering support, not just at the box office or in front of the screen, but also for recognizing the injustice and showing your support,” Henson said. She emphasized the importance of speaking one’s truth, despite the fears and challenges it might entail. “Speaking your truth is daunting, but I encourage everyone to do so. In the end, our truth is all we have. And remember, speaking the truth not only liberates you but can also liberate others,” she added.
This moment at the NAACP Image Awards highlighted the ongoing struggle for equality and the power of community support in facing these challenges.