The NAACP Image Awards' Most Inspiring Moments

I teared up Friday night as Gabourey Sidibe, who plays the titular character in Precious, strutted up to the stage to accept the Best Actress statue she's been long overdue this awards season. That was only one of several awe-inspiring moments that occurred during this year's 41st NAACP Image Awards. In no particular order, here's a rundown of the most hope-filled moments, soundbites and winners from the ceremony.

1. Clarence Avent was inducted into the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame for his contributions to music. In the video package before Avent was brought on stage for his touching speech, former president Bill Clinton praised him: "Because of Clarence, our country is much stronger and more diverse. I thank [him] from the bottom of my heart for everything [he's] given to all of us."

2. Chris Rock won Best Documentary for Good Hair. The comedian, who took directorial reins for the first time, was inspired by his wife and his daughters. "I made this movie just for black people, for black women especially," he said and then dedicated the award to his grandmother, Mary.

3. Tyler Perry received the Chairman's Award. Perry is one of the most successful directors, writers, actors and entrepreneurs in Hollywood today — with one major caveat, he runs his production studios in Atlanta. Perry's touching speech reminded everyone why he writes some of the most successful films today:

"I wanted to use film not only to entertain, but to let us know that we don't have to wait for someone to green-light tour projects; we can create our own productions. I wanted to use sitcom to show that we don't have to just act in the sitcom, we can own the show and the network. I wanted to use giving and philanthropy to show us that we don't have to be at the end of the line waiting for a handout; we could be at the front giving the hand up. And I wanted to own a studio to show us that we don't have to wait for someone to buy us 40 acres and a mule; we could buy our own."

4. Wyclef Jean won the NAACP Vanguard Award. He dedicated the award to Yéle Haiti and thanked America for showing him what the American dream was. Now, he wants to take the American dream to his homeland and help establish free education for every child, establish laws saying that no Haitian children can be slaves and make Haiti a thriving and beautiful tourist destination to help the economy of the impoverished nation.

5. Precious swept the awards, taking home six trophies: Mo'nique — whose talk show also won the award for Best Talk Series — won Best Actress, Lee Daniels won Best Director and the film took the night's honor for Best Film. The best moment of the night, however, was seeing Gabourey Sidibe finally get to collect an award for her breakout performance. She walked up to the podium like she had been born to do it but delivered a speech that showed humility and gravitas.

"I want to thank my teachers ... they happened to be Mo'nique and Paula Patton ... because I showed up knowing nothing, and they taught me everything. And this is for the Precious girls everywhere!'

Photo by gdcgraphics via Wikimedia Commons.