An icon is defined as a person widely admired for their great influence, and at this year’s Truth Awards, that icon was Raven-Symoné.
We spoke with Raven and her wife, Miranda Maday, about her receiving the Icon Award. Raven shared that after 37 years in the industry, she’s grateful to finally be receiving her flowers for the work she’s done across generations.
Reflecting on her journey, Raven opened up about growing up as a child star, beginning her acting career at just three years old with roles on The Cosby Show and later headlining her own Disney Channel hit, That’s So Raven. Speaking about the pressure to fit a certain image, she said:
“I think, growing for the industry in general mine started at a younger age than when everybody saw me on Disney Channel, and there are struggles and boundaries and conversations that do keep you within a brand that was created for a certain age bracket I think alot of us experiences that and some people come out on the other side many different ways. Mine was in therapy so we’re thriving”.
Related: Raven-Symoné Reveals She Rejected Disney’s Request To Make Her Character A Lesbian In “Raven’s Home”
We also caught up with honoree, Byron Perkins, who received the Courage Award for becoming the first openly gay HBCU football player at Hampton University. Perkins humbly reflected on his journey:
“I don’t really feel courageous more, so I just feel as I said before, so many different interviews, authentic. I appreciate that people have been able to look at me as an inspiration of courage, but I feel like courage is something that is more you know broad than anything. I feel like it is something that is more dynamic. What I did wasn’t dynamic I just chose to make an ultimate decision for my benefit and through that I’ve been able to be an inspiration.”
This year’s Truth Awards honored individuals who embody what it means to live in their truth — not just for themselves, but for their communities. Alongside Raven-Symoné and Byron Perkins, honorees included:
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Netflix’s The Upshaws (Cultural Affirmation Award)
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Judge Greg Mathis and Greg Mathis Jr., Mathis Family Matters (Family Award)
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STARZ #TakeTheLead (Corporate Leadership & Diversity Award)
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Tabitha Brown (Ally Award)
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Dr. Darnell Hunt (Excellence in Education Award)
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Dr. David Malebranche and Unique Women’s Coalition (Advocate Awards)
The night also featured a lineup of outstanding presenters, including past honorees like Jason Lee, Judge Mablean Ephriam, Eric Scott Ways, Kim Fields, Brandee Evans, Terrence Terrell, Kim Coles, Rhoyle Ivy King, Folake Olowofoyeku, Geffri Maya, Tre’vell Anderson, Ashlee Marie Preston, and Darnell Moore.
No celebration would be complete without dynamic performances, with Coko Gamble, Avery Wilson, Jayye Michael, and Bryan Thompson lighting up the stage.
The 9th Annual Truth Awards was a collaboration between Better Brothers Los Angeles and Sheryl Lee Ralph’s DIVA Foundation, hosted by Claudia Jordan, Jerrie Johnson, and Marcus Washington.
Catch the 9th Annual Truth Awards broadcast on Fox Soul, airing Saturday, March 18th at 5:00 p.m. (PT).