How you doin?
Television talk show host Wendy Williams was doing good last night, holding down the fort as co-host of Reverend Al Sharpton’s National Action Network’s 16th Annual Keepers of the Dreams Awards. Held every April, the gala marks the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s death and honors those who have continued to advocate for the principles for which Dr. King gave his life.
Williams, the host of The Wendy Williams Show, was surprised by Reverend Al Sharpton at the beginning of the program by being awarded a Keepers of the Dream Award of her own. “She’s been a personal role model in her commitment to education and in the community,” said Reverend Al Sharpton.
Keepers of the Dream Awards are given by members of the civil rights community who have committed themselves to fairness and racial harmony. Williams was beyond ecstatic to receive the award: “Yes I am a Jersey girl,” said Williams upon her acceptance.
“I am Jersey to the bone. Our show right now is on a two-and-a-half week hiatus. I just came back from vacation yesterday and normally when we’re on break, I’m a Jersey girl and I stay in Jersey and I do not cross the Hudson. But when the Reverend calls, you put on a good dress and you come.”
Sharpton was beyond impressed with Williams: “I can tell you that she’s a true example of success,” he said. “Nobody did her any favors. She’s worked hard, she showed up, she was disciplined, she was diligent.”
It made Sharpton reminisce about Williams’ humble beginnings during her radio days at Hot 97 in New York City. “I’ve known her when we used to sneak and eat cheesecake at Juniors,” joked Sharpton.
“Now we’ve both slimmed down.”
Williams wasn’t the only award recipient last night. Other honorees included: Bishop Victor Curry, Deborah Elam,Tamron Hall, Gerry Hudson, Rachel Noerdlinger, Don Thompson and Michael Weinstein.
The National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the country with over 70 chapters in the U.S. The organization works extensively to promote a modern civil rights agenda, which includes the fight for equality of opportunity for all people regardless of race, class or sex, social justice for all communities, education, non-violence, equality in healthcare and improvement of race relations.
