*Regina Hall and ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey – fresh from cancelling “Roseanne” in the wake of Roseanne Barr’s racist tweet – were among the black girl magic attending the Inspiration Awards to benefit Step Up, an organization dedicated to providing mentors and guidance to young women in under-resourced communities.
Hall, who was the annual event’s main honoree, shared some of the advice that she gives to the young women that she seeks to inspire. “We’re in a time of social media, so I encourage our beautiful young girls to pursue excellence, not ‘likes.’ It’s really easy to look and compare yourself, but who you are is so incredibly powerful and you don’t have to look, think or be like anyone,” Hall said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “You just have to love to your highest degree and pursue your highest self, and that shouldn’t be compared to anything. Let your worth come from the inside.”
Dungey received a standing ovation when she walked onto the stage to introduce actress Sanaa Lathan, and while she did not directly address the “Roseanne” cancellation, the roaring applause and cheering made it clear that she had the support of the room for her handling of the racially charged controversy, notes THR.
Longtime supporter Garcelle Beauvais told THR why she is so committed to helping Step Up succeed: “I love Step Up. I love what they stand for. I’ve been a part of the organization for 10 years and I love what they do. It’s women helping young girls, and I wish I had that growing up in terms of that support, whether it’s mentoring, whether it’s being able to just connect with someone and say, ‘I’m going through this — what do I do next?’ And I think having that support changes your life.”
Luxury brand Coach was the presenting sponsor for this year’s awards, and it provided guests with monogrammed bag charms during the cocktail hour, held Friday at the Beverly Wilshire hotel.
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