How To Speak With Intent: BET Honors Phylicia Rashad

On February 23rd when the BET Honors aired, I sat at the TV perched and ready to give my respects to black America’s collective TV Mother, Phylicia Rashad. Many do not know her legacy in theatre started long before and continued long after the run of the Cosby Show. Even after she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a play for A Raisin In The Sun. So, it was so very fitting for BET to honor her with the Theatrical Arts Award.

In all that she has done she has always brought grace and elegance with her. She speaks and we listen. If you take away nothing else from her speech and those who came to honor her, Glynn Turnman and Diahann Carrol, it is to speak with intent. Rashad has a voice that is commanding but soft, odd but never leaves the space of beautiful. We hang on to her very word because she makes herself deserving of so. She pierces through to our hearts and leaves a message that is so clear we feel the need to act.

LEGACY IS IMPORTANT. DON’T LET IT GO. DON’T GIVE IT UP.

Listen as her peers and others she has inspired speak so highly of her and how she accepts the BET honor. Be inspired and remember to speak with intention. The people in your life will thank you for it.

(Other honorees that night included John W. Thompson, Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole,  Kanye West and Usher Raymond)

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