An icon is defined as a person widely admired, especially for having great influence, and at this year’s Truth awards, that icon was Raven-Symoné.
While on the carpet, we spoke with Raven and her wife Miranda Maday about receiving the Icon Award. She shared with us that she’s happy that after 37 years she’s being presented with her flowers for all the work that she’s done.
During our conversation, we talked about growing up as a child star and the feeling of having to be or act a specific way. For Raven, she started acting at the age of 3 in shows like ‘The Cosby Show’ later going on to have her own show on the Disney Channel, ‘That’s So Raven’. So when talking about her journey of being true to herself, 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”
While on the carpet, we also spoke with another honoree, Byron Perkins who received the Courage Award, as he is the first openly gay HBCU football player at Hampton University.
“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 honorees were a group of people who uphold what it means to live in their truth whether that means for themselves or for their families. This included not only Raven and Byron, but also Netflix ‘The Upshaws’ (Cultural Affirmation Award), Judge Greg Mathis, Greg Mathis Jr. ‘Mathis Family Matters’ (Family Award), STARZ #TakeTheLead (Corporate Leadership & Diversity Award), Tabitha Brown (Ally Award), Dr. Darnell Hunt (Excellence in Education Award), Dr. David Malebranche (Advocate Award), and Unique Woman’s Coalition(Advocate Award).
The night also included a group of outstanding presenters some of which were honorees in the past which included our very own Jason Lee, Judge Mablean Ephriam, Eric Scott Ways, Kim Fields, Brandee Evans, Terrance Terrell, Kim Coles, Rhoyle Ivy King, Folake Olowofoyeku, Geffri Maya, Tre’vell Anderson, Ashlee Marie Preston, and Darnell Moore. But what is a celebration without some dynamic performers, we’re talking Coko Gamble, Avery Wilson, Jayye Michael, and Bryan Thompson.
The Better Brothers Los Angeles and Sheryl Lee Ralph’s DIVA Foundation came together to celebrate the 9th annual truth awards hosted by Claudia Jordan, Jerrie Johnson, and Marcus Washington.
The 9th Annual Truth Awards will broadcast on Fox Soul Saturday, March 18th, at 5:00 p.m. (PT).