Presently underway dwell from the Pasadena Civic Heart, this 12 months’s NAACP Picture Awards is placing a highlight on Altadena residents who’ve skilled devastating loss following the Los Angeles wildfires in early January.
“Houses have been misplaced, shops destroyed, numerous lives shattered and over two dozen souls gone endlessly, however what was not misplaced is the spirit of our group and our resilience, particularly that of our brothers and sisters who dwell only a brief distance from right here in Altadena,” presenter Morris Chestnut stated in his tribute.
The traditionally Black neighborhood homes generations of households, and was as soon as residence to famend sci-fi author Octavia E. Butler, whose Parable of the Sower has seen renewed recognition given its eerie prescience concerning Southern California’s latest pure catastrophe.
On stage, Chestnut launched 22 Altadena residents who had misplaced their houses, prompting a standing ovation from the gang of attendees.
“It’s in instances like these that we present the world our energy,” he continued. “From the second the disaster started, we joined collectively, everybody pitched in, shelter was given, clothes was donated, meals vehicles got here from miles round to feed the hungry, ministers reached out to feed our want for consolation and non secular therapeutic. And naturally we are able to’t thank our first responders sufficient for his or her braveness and heroism.”
The Watson star then drew consideration to the BET and CBS program’s charity work: the NAACP, BET Media Group, WME and Johnson Shapiro Slewett and Kole (JSSK) partnered with L.A. County, in collaboration with Neighborhood Help Dena, Altadena Heritage and WalkGood LA, to launch the Altadena Neighborhood Preservation Fund, geared towards defending owners from displacement and preserving the group’s cultural heritage. Providing help for momentary housing, authorized charges and admin prices, the ceremony flashed a QR code on display as Chestnut inspired donations.
Ledisi, backed by Adam Blackstone and the BBE All-Star band, carried out a tribute, contemporary off of her sweeping Tremendous Bowl rendition of the Black Nationwide Anthem earlier this month.
Earlier within the present, host Deon Cole‘s monologue touched on the wildfires, stating that Altadena would construct again higher and stronger, earlier than poking enjoyable at unsubstantiated right-wing finger-pointing of the catastrophe on range, fairness and inclusion.
“I couldn’t imagine they was making an attempt in charge the fires on us, although, like Black individuals, no matter DEI — DEI means Black individuals,” he stated. “However see the one factor they don’t understand is Black individuals don’t mess with hearth like that, in no way. Nothing hearth, uh-uh, [Amazon] Fireplace Sticks. Each Black individual I do know obtained a Fireplace Stick at residence. It’s a man proper now at residence seeing the present yesterday that’s occurring proper now dwell.”
Along with the tribute, the night time honored Dave Chappelle, former Vice President Kamala Harris and the Wayans household, who have been inducted into the NAACP Awards Corridor of Fame.
Observe alongside right here for an up to date checklist of winners.
