The name Taraji P. Henson is synonymous with excellence in action. After winning several awards in her illustrious career, including numerous Image Awards, she can now add another trophy to her collection as the winner of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture award at the 55th NAACP Image Awards ceremony, held Saturday night, March 16, in Los Angeles.

Henson, who portrayed singing star Shug Avery in “The Color Purple,” gave one of the best performances of her remarkable career as she embodied the attitude and vulnerability of the character.

She also surprised many who were not aware of her vocal prowess as she belted out the songs that were the heart and soul of the film.

In her acceptance speech, she thanked her castmates, crew, and those in struggle with her for equal pay for Black women in Hollywood.

“I just want to thank you guys so much for showing up for me all the time. Not just to the box office or watching what I'm in but yall saw what happened and yall showed up. Yall showed out. Yall showed me love,” Henson said.

“It's a scary thing to speak your truth but I urge you all to speak your truth. Because at the end of the day, that's all we have,” she continued. “ And like they say, ‘The truth will set you free.’ And not only that, it will set somebody else free."

“Thank you, NAACP for always seeing me and making me feel safe,” she added. “Thank you to every woman, person in this struggle together, and thank you to my entire cast, crew, Warner Brothers, and Oprah Winfrey. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

Since she first came to prominence with her breakout role in “Baby Boy,” Henson has mesmerized audiences in TV and Film with her humor and innate ability to cause viewers to identify with her character.

As she continues to achieve success in her entertainment industry endeavors, Henson will ultimately be remembered as one of the most versatile and accomplished actors of her generation.