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Ava DuVernay, Gloria Carter and Samira Wiley Honored at GLAAD Awards Because Black Women Stay Winning

Black Women in Entertainment

Ava DuVernay, Gloria Carter and Samira Wiley Honored at GLAAD Awards Because Black Women Stay Winning

By Felice León via https://www.theroot.com

For Gloria Carter, a closeted gay black woman with four kids, life was not horrible. But it was “different.”

“I chose to protect my family from ignorance. I was happy, but I was not free,” said Carter at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City.

 Carter is the mother of four children, including her youngest son, rapper Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter. On Saturday, Carter received the Special Recognition Award for her coming-out story on “Smile”—by now, you’ve likely heard the song on Jay-Z’s Grammy-nominated album, 4:44.

“‘Smile’ became a reality, because I shared with my son who I am. Not that people didn’t know. It was someone that they didn’t talk about but they loved me anyway.” Carter continued, “But to me, this was the first time that I spoke to anyone about who I really am.”

That evening Carter shared the stage with some phenomenal black women including Laverne Cox, Blair Imani and Root 100 honoree, Yamiche Alcindor. Truth be told, The Root was there to cheer on the black women. Sorry, not sorry. Among the sistren was Samira Wiley, who took home the

 

Read More: Ava DuVernay, Gloria Carter and Samira Wiley Honored at GLAAD Awards Because Black Women Stay Winning

I am a future butterfly at the stage of growth when I am turning into an adult. I am enclosed in a hard case shell formed by love, family, and friends. It is the hardest stage of becoming a black butterfly. You will encounter many hardships only to come out stronger and better than what you went in. At this stage, you are finding out who you truly are and how to love yourself.

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