This year’s BET Awards were packed full of amazing moments, from Beyoncé’s surprise performance to the many Prince tributes. But the morning after, there’s really only one thing that EVERYONE is talking about. When Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams stepped onto the stage to accept the Humanitarian Award, no one expected the depth of what was about to happen. Delivering a statement addressing racial issues, Jesse made what is being called one of the most memorable speeches of the award’s history, and you can definitely believe that once you see it (below) and when you check out how celebs responded with praise (and a little controversy).
“Now — this award, this is not for me. This is for the real organizers all over the country, the activists, the civil rights attorneys, the struggling parents, the families, the teachers, the students that are realizing that a system built to divide and impoverish and destroy us cannot stand if we do. Alright? It’s kind of basic mathematics,” Jesse began, before going on to speak about racial struggles, the daunting issues Black women face (“we can and will do better for you”), and recent victims of anti-Black violence: Tamir Rice, Rekia Boyd, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland and Dorian Hunt (names we all need to recognize). You can check out the speech below (and you definitely should whether you’re seeing for the first time or the 10th).
Obviously as moved as we were at home, the celebs came out fast and hard to praise Jesse Williams and his powerful words.
You better speak @iJesseWilliams thank you….your voice is so powerful….
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) June 27, 2016
I have no words…..eloquent, moving, spot on and perfectly put….I'm so inspired @iJesseWilliams
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) June 27, 2016
"The burden of the brutalized, is not to comfort the bystander." –#JesseWilliams
— Uzo Aduba (@UzoAduba) June 27, 2016
Thank you @iJesseWilliams we needed that… RESPECT
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) June 27, 2016
Just because we're magic doesn't mean we're not real!! @iJesseWilliams #betawards #yougoboy
— Debbie Allen (@msdebbieallen) June 27, 2016
JESSE WESLEY WILLIAMS
— Ellen Pompeo (@EllenPompeo) June 27, 2016
@iJesseWilliams so thoughtful so much truth you have used your platform in the most impressive way please don't ever stop we need you
— Ellen Pompeo (@EllenPompeo) June 27, 2016
In our world of media where entertainers are only interested in promoting themselves @iJesseWilliams is selfless & as refreshing as it gets
— Ellen Pompeo (@EllenPompeo) June 27, 2016
@iJesseWilliams speech still on my mind https://t.co/84lOzcqJmL
— Ellen Pompeo (@EllenPompeo) June 27, 2016
Watched @iJesseWilliams #BETAwards speech a solid 5 times this morning. No coffee needed. #woke
— ALEKESAM (@SalMasekela) June 27, 2016
#JesseWilliams is definitely awake! Standing on #Truth! Bless
— Valerie Chandler (@RealValChandler) June 27, 2016
.@iJesseWilliams gave a speech at the #BETawards that must be viewed by EVERYONE! Watch here and share! https://t.co/oTIViug88f
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) June 27, 2016
“Just because we’re magic doesn’t mean we’re not real.” –@iJesseWilliams https://t.co/Oc4FrwXGOX
— Susan Sarandon (@SusanSarandon) June 27, 2016
@iJesseWilliams that speech at #BETAwards. You. THANK YOU!
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) June 27, 2016
Powerful. @iJesseWilliams
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) June 27, 2016
Wow, that @iJesseWilliams speech at the #BETAWARDS was something we all need to watch, re-watch and re-watch again.
— Chris Archer (@ChrisArcher22) June 27, 2016
Although there was also a little controversy caused by Justin Timberlake, who didn’t respond too well to a tweeter who called him out on racial and cultural appropriation.
https://twitter.com/jtimberlake/status/747276674073395200
Justin, in turn, did the celeb-backpedal.
I feel misunderstood. I responded to a specific tweet that wasn't meant to be a general response. I shouldn't have responded anyway…
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
I forget this forum sometimes… I was truly inspired by @iJesseWilliams speech because I really do feel that we are all one… A human race
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
I apologize to anyone that felt I was out of turn. I have nothing but LOVE FOR YOU AND ALL OF US.
–JT
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
Check out Jesse’s speech below and get up with the crowd to give him a standing ovation. “Just because we’re magic doesn’t mean we’re not real.” *chills*
Best speech 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥https://t.co/3mJekMGp5I
— Uche Jombo Rodriguez (@uchejombo) June 27, 2016
What did you think about Jesse Williams BET speech? Tweet us @BritandCo!
(Photos via Frederick M. Brown/Getty)
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.