2021 Soul Train Awards: 3 Times Black Women Were Uplifted In An Award Speech
No artist is ever really prepared to accept an award, even though some might write a few words just in case. And this year's winners at the 2021 Soul Train Awards all used their winning moments to spread positivity and uplift their peers.
Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Jazmine Sullivan took home two of the biggest awards that night, including “Album of the Year," and exuded nothing short of bravery as she opened up about her own self-image. She also encouraged Black women to love themselves no matter what.
As we look back at yet another unforgettable night of celebrating music, here’s a look at three times an award winner inspired Black women in their speech.
Jazmine Sullivan promotes self-love
Jazmine Sullivan took home one of the most sought-after awards of the night, "Album of the Year,” for her fourth studio album Heaux Tails. During her acceptance speech, the songstress revealed she wrote the project especially for Black women and stressed the importance of loving yourself.
“You have to love yourself especially because society would have us, and especially Black women, not love anything about ourselves.”
Normani shout-outs musical inspirations
Normani may have accepted the award for “Best Dance Performance,” but it was the R&B legends that came before her that received high praise.
“You know they don’t make it easy for us to win y’all. You know I was a Black girl in my grandmother’s living room, studying Ciara, studying the greats--Michael Jackson, Janet, Bey, Ashanti. And its women like that have paved the way for me to even have an opportunity to stand here in front of you guys.”
Ashanti makes a commitment to help others
While accepting the 2021 “Lady of Soul” award Ashanti delivered a moving speech about her journey navigating the entertainment industry and how she prevailed over critics who thought her musical career would not last. In proving her nay-sayers wrong, the songstress made a commitment to keep pushing and assist other female creatives in the industry. Check out a piece of her speech below.
“Some people may look at my journey and think it was easy — it was not. My career has been filled with so many peaks and valleys, and it definitely wasn’t easy. I’ve been blessed to have broken records, won awards, and toured the world. This “Lady of Soul” award is a full-circle moment for me because in 2002 I received the “Aretha Franklin Entertainer of the Year” award and here I am almost 20 years later receiving this great honor tonight.”
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