As overwhelmed as she was by the honor when Marsai Martin accepted the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Motion Picture for her leading role in “Little,” in 2021, she kept her composure and shared her immense gratitude. When the camera panned to Martin’s mother, Carol Martin, that was a different story. She cried the sweetest, happy tears for her “little girl!” 

In all the excitement, Martin brought her phone with her on stage. The youth, am I right? But that didn’t distract her from the gratitude swelling in her heart. “Thank you to God, of course. Thank you to my mom and dad for giving me a life to be here today,” Martin said. Cue the waterworks! Martin’s list of thank you’s continued until she managed to thank everyone in her life, especially the “beautiful Black girls out there who inspire me everyday.”

Marsai Martin has grown up right in front of our very eyes, from “Black-Ish” to leading lady to CEO of her own company, Genius Productions. In fact, Martin has made history as the youngest person at Universal to receive a first-look deal. Since this win, Martin has continued to shift history as one of Hollywood’s brightest young luminaries. 

Check out the video above!