This afternoon, I was invited to attend a Community Empowerment Day Awards Luncheon. It was put on by the Atlanta Urban League. It was their 2nd Annual Spirit of the League event. They Honored Community Heroes & this year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree Academy Award Winner Mo’Nique.
Monique and Nancy Flake Johnson
Nancy Flake Johnson, Mo’Nique and Cole W. Carroll
Mo’Nique holding her Lifetime Achievement Award
Mo’Nique receiving her plaque from the City of Atlanta
When we arrived it was a full house and everyone looked lovely. Amy and I sat at the table with my friend Eddie Rhodman, his mom and other guests. Nancy Flake Johnson the (President & CEO) and Cole W. Carroll did a fab job with the event and awarding the honorees. The Emcees for the afternoon were Cnn’s Richelle Carey and Ryan Smith. Other community honorees were Felicia Hicks, Melvyn Burrow and David Crawford.
Sidney, Gail Nutt,Mo’Nique and Noni Ellison-Southall
Honorary Co-Chairs, William Hawthorne and Roger Bobb then showed a video Tribute to Mo’Nique from over the years. They showed her days doing standup comedy, to her role in the movie Precious, to her late night talk show on BET, The Mo’Nique Show. Everyone stood up and applauded as Mo’Nique took the stage.
She looked pretty in her white dress and silver heels. She looked very nervous and hugged everyone on stage. I will never forget her words that she said to the audience. She said, “they told me I was too fat, a woman, I would never make it”. “People dream as big as you want to, don’t let anyone ever tell you, you can’t!”
Mo’Nique giving acceptance speech
She was teary eyed and she stood there as she gathered her thoughts. They actually gave her two awards, one for the Lifetime Achievement and another one from the City of Atlanta. She was very happy and thanked everyone and her hubby. She said, “I remember me and my son moving to Atlanta in a Uhaul with no money. My son was small then, now he is 22″. “We aren’t driving in a Uhaul anymore, as she laughed and yelled out, Baby!” The crowd chuckled.
I was standing by the stage taking pictures when she said she had to go because of another engagement. I was able to get a picture with her quickly as she headed for the door. There were a lot of girls waiting for an autograph or picture with her and she told security, “Oh wait,I cant forget about the babies”. “Let me talk to the babies and let them get some pictures with me”. I thought that was so sweet of her!
Mo’Nique talking with the youth
I had the pleasure of meeting Mo’Nique several times and she has always been so humble and the same each time I’ve seen her. I really like that about her. I complemented Mo’Nique on her purse and dress and she said,”Thank you baby” lol.
Amy Loyal and I
Loved this cheesecake,delish!
Cnn’s anchor Richelle Carey and I
Mo’Nique and I
I had a great time going to the Atlanta Urban League luncheon and Award show and would like to thank Diane Larche c/o Larche Communications for the personal invite. Enjoy your Saturday!
