Because of her invaluable impact and contribution for the arts and in the movie industry as a whole, Cicely Tyson was named as BET’s Theatrical Arts Honoree for 2011.
This TV legend is one woman that lifted up the banner of black women through the years by being in the film industry, as she only considered playing roles that portrays good and positive characteristics of a black woman. She rather chooses not to have a job in years than to play “exploitation films”.
Cicely made this notable statement when asked why she committed to participate in films that depicts only the positive images of a black woman, “The lesser of two evils for me is to wait, rather than do something that isn't right." Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They're what make the instrument stretch-what make you go beyond the norm." The choices of roles I made had to do with educating and entertaining. And as a result I found myself working only every two or three years."
This multitalented actress was born and raised in Harlem, New York by her religious parents. No wonder that aside from having a good taste on formal church wear for women, her strong willed characteristic and moral values are deeply rooted in her personality.
Her career starts as a model of Ebony Magazine before she hit the movie industry. One renowned movie she starred with is the true to life story movie “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974)”, in which she earned her 2 Emmys and at the same time made her the first African American Actress to win an Emmy award for Outstanding Lead Actress .
Her superb talent as an actress will surely be passed on to generations because of her The Cicely Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts, a magnet school in East Orange, New Jersey which teach students on how to enhance more their talents and skills in acting and in the arts.
She is indeed an epitome of dignity, beauty and talent.
Cicely Tyson and Debra Lee in the center wearing glittering formal dresses, together with Jamie Foxx and Reverend Al in their equally elegant church suits for men.
