In celebration of Black History Month, BET has shared a powerful video of Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis receiving the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for The Woman King in 2023.
Standing on stage, Davis said, “I never want to be not brave enough. As a woman, as a Black woman, as an artist.”
The moment, reshared as Black History Month begins, highlights Davis’ remarkable career and the conversation around representation, courage, and Black excellence in the arts.
In 2023, Davis won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in The Woman King, a historical epic centred on the Agojie, an all-female warrior unit that protected the Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s.
That same year, she also won Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction for her memoir, Finding Me, which chronicles her personal struggles, triumphs, and journey to self-acceptance.
Her earlier wins include Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom in 2021, where she portrayed the legendary blues singer Ma Rainey, and The Help in 2012.
Beyond these wins, Davis has amassed numerous nominations over the years, reflecting sustained excellence.
What is Black History Month and why is it celebrated?
Black History Month is annually celebrated from February 1 to March 1. It is a period dedicated to recognising and honouring the contributions, achievements and resilience of Black people throughout history.
The celebration serves as a reminder of the impact Black individuals have made in areas such as politics, culture, education, science and the arts in the face of systemic discrimination and exclusion.
The month also provides an opportunity to reflect on historical struggles, amplify underrepresented voices and educate younger generations about figures whose stories may not always be fully represented in mainstream narratives.
Platforms such as BET used speech like Viola Davis’ to draw attention to modern examples of Black excellence that align with the spirit of Black History Month. Davis’ career embodies many of the values the month represents: perseverance, authenticity and the courage to challenge limiting narratives.
As Black History Month unfolds, moments like this serve as timely reminders that history is not only about the past, It is also being written in the present, through artists like Viola Davis, whose work continues to inspire, challenge and redefine what is possible.
What is BET and why is it marking Black History Month?
BET, short for Black Entertainment Television, is an American media network established in 2001 to celebrate and promote Black excellence in entertainment and culture. Its annual BET Awards recognise achievements by African Americans and other minority creatives across music, film, television, sports and philanthropy.
The BET Awards have become a major platform for recognising Black artists whose contributions have historically been overlooked by mainstream institutions. The ceremony addresses social and cultural issues affecting the Black community.
As Black History Month begins, BET’s decision to reshare Viola Davis’ NAACP Image Awards moment aligns with its broader mission of celebrating Black achievement, resilience and representation across generations.
