Cicely Tyson performed a Langston Hughes poem as she accepted a lifetime achievement award from Ebony magazine.
Tyson recited Mother to Son from memory, telling the audience at the magazine’s annual Power 100 gala on Thursday that “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” When she got to the line about “don’t you turn back,” people cheered.
It was a moving moment in a jubilant evening celebrating the achievements of black leaders in business, science, education and entertainment. Cedric the Entertainer hosted the private ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Actress Regina King, who presented Tyson’s award, introduced her as “a national treasure.”
The surviving members of Earth, Wind & Fire also received lifetime achievement honours.
Ebony’s list of Power 100 honorees appears in the December-January issue.
