Rihanna made a powerful call for unity as she accepted the President’s Award at the NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles.
The 32-year-old Fenty Beauty founder smiled softly in her seat, while being honored for her ‘special achievement and distinguished public service.’
Taking to the stage, the singer gave an empowering speech.
‘We can only fix this world together, we can’t do it divided,’ she said to roaring applause. ‘I can’t emphasize that enough, we can’t let the de-sensitivity seep in.’
Grateful: Rihanna turned heads in an eye-catching, ensemble while accepting the President’s Award at NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles
She added: ‘I’m going to try to keep this simple, because tonight really isn’t about me.
‘We have been denied opportunities since the beginning of time, and still we prevail, Rihanna concluded on a moving note. ‘Imagine what we could do together.’
Her romantic purple frock was straight off the Givenchy spring 2020 fashion show and featured a multilayered tulle petal bottom and semi-sheer top.
The Diamonds singer showed off her tone legs, as the gown only fell to her knees, putting her black lace up heels on full display.
While on stage to receive her award, the songstress beamed and show off her slicked back hair and striking red lips.
Accomplished: The 32-year-old Fenty Beauty founder smiled softly in her seat, while being honored for her ‘special achievement and distinguished public service’
‘We can only fix this world together, we can’t do it divided,’ she said in her acceptance speech to roaring applause. ‘I can’t emphasize that enough, we can’t let the de-sensitivity seep in’
Eye-catching: While holding the sliver statue, her bling and massive purple diamond ring stole the show
Adorable: Throughout the show, she clapped along and even held Heiress Harris, daughter of Tameka ‘Tiny’ Harrisand rapper T.I.
While holding the sliver statue, her bling and massive purple diamond ring stole the show.
Her up-do, with a delicate braid at the front, allowed fans to see her purposely mismatched earrings and perfectly contoured highlight.
Throughout the show, she clapped along to winners and even held a friend’s baby on her lap, who donned a panda onsie.
Only girl in the world: The star soaked up the spotlight at the event aimed to highlight the achievements of actors and musicians of color
Winner: The 32-year-old Fenty Beauty founder smiled softly in her seat, while being honored for her ‘special achievement and distinguished public service.’
The star soaked up the spotlight at the event aimed to highlight the achievements of actors and musicians of color.
Other honorees included Oscar contender Cynthia Erivo, who starred in the Harriet Tubman biopic, Harriet, Eddie Murphy for his film Dolemite is My Name and Lupita Nyong’o, who starred in Us.
U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia received the Chairman’s Award, which goes to people who ‘create agents of change’. Past recipients include filmmaker Tyler Perry and then-Sen. Barack Obama.
‘We have been denied opportunities since the beginning of time, and still we prevail,’ Rihanna concluded on a moving note. ‘Imagine what we could do together.’
Over the moon: After the show, the singer hit the carpet again holding her new award and showing off her flowy dress
Past winners of the President’s Award Rihanna took home include Jay-Z Carter, Jesse Jackson, Lauryn Hill, Condoleezza Rice and Muhammad Ali.
After the show, the singer hit the red carpet again holding her new award and showing off her flowy dress.
She was all smiles, even taking a twirl to show off the ruffles.
Sweet life: The singer was all smiles, even taking a twirl to show off the ruffles on the red carpet