Viola Davis received the Jacqueline Avant HollyRod Humanitarian Award at the HollyRod Foundation's DesignCare 2024 gala in Los Angeles on Saturday. The organization, founded by actress Holly Robinson Peete and her husband Rodney Peete in 1997, supports families affected by Parkinson's disease and autism.
Before Davis presented the awards, Robinson Peete spoke about the legacy of Jacqueline, the wife of former music executive Clarence Avant, who was shot and killed in his home at age 81 in 2021. “This award is very special to me because Jacqueline was a founding donor to the HollyRod Foundation in its inception,” Robinson Peete said. “If you knew her, you would know the definition of grace, joy, philanthropy and love of family. She loves the art and has been a source of inspiration to so many.”
Kelly Rowland introduced herself to Davis, recognizing the actress as “someone whose talent, resilience and heart have touched lives immeasurably.”
“Viola Davis perfectly exemplifies the spirit of this award, which is named after Jacqueline Avant, a true champion of generosity, love and philanthropy,” Rowland said. “Like Jacqueline, Viola's kindness and commitment to making the world a better place reminds us all of the power we have when we choose to uplift others. Viola, we are beyond grateful for your courage, your brilliance and your heart.”
In her acceptance speech, Davis talked about the most important person anyone can give back to: themselves.
“I listen to what people say, that when you get into philanthropy, it's about making the world a better place; and that's absolutely what I want, but the two people you owe the most to are your six-year-old self and your eighty-year-old self,” Davis began. “I still don't know myself at 80… but I know me same at six years old because for me she is still very much alive.”
The star continued: “He had a lot of dreams, but he didn't have a lot of hope. She wet the bed. She grew up with very little food and in absolute poverty. It was probably called a [N-word] more times than she was called Viola – and ugly. But what happened with Viola, she was born into a world where she didn't fit in. And if anyone comes to understand the definition of a hero, he is always born into a world in which he does not fit.
Davis' philanthropic efforts highlight her experiences as a child, serving as an ambassador for Hunger Is, which aims to end childhood hunger. She is also a supporter of the Children's Hunger Alliance, the clothing and shoe donation nonprofit Soles4Souls, and the women's addiction rehabilitation organization Friendly House. Davis also donated to her alma mater, Central Falls High School, and to the local library in her hometown, demonstrating what she believes is the answer to being born into a world where you don't fit in.
“It's love. Good old fashioned, radical, active love. The kind of love we invest in everyone's spiritual, emotional and physical world. That kind of love that makes people feel less alone,” he said. “I didn't have that love like Viola. Little Viola was desperately looking for him. That people could get past my smell, past the poverty, past the fact that you thought my nappy hair, my big lips, my wide nose, and my dark skin were not pleasing to the eye.
Concluding her speech, Davis spoke about her commitment to making sure other people don't go through the same experiences as her.
“I was reluctant to say it,” Davis said, fighting back tears. “But until the last person who has a memory of you dies, you will never be dead, and I want to live forever. I want to honor little Viola, I want to be the hero she needs later. I want to be that person who came through the darkness and said, “I see you.” That's why I work with hunger. That's why I work with education. That's why I deal with domestic violence. I see you. And as long as I'm breathing, I know that my goal in this race is to pass the baton to the next great runner who will take it and put it out into the world and make others feel less alone, like Mrs. Avant. I thank her for her life. Thank you for even thinking I was worthy of this award. And while I'm still breathing, I'll leave something in people.”
Approximately 500 guests were in attendance at the 26th annual HollyRod Gala, including Magic Johnson and Ted Sarandos. In addition to the awards ceremony, the evening also featured a parade, an auction in support of the organization and an afterparty featuring a performance by '90s R&B group After 7.
Other honorees include artist Morgan Harper Nichols and professional athlete speaker Jason McElwain, who received HollyRod Hero Awards; Dr. Chantale Branson, neurologist and movement disorder specialist, who was awarded the Muhammad Ali Trailblazer Award; Camille Proctor and Nadine Wright-Arbubakkr, founders of The Color of Autism and Nassan's Place, who received the Karen E. Smith Angel on the Path Awards; EMT Eric Aquino, who was awarded the Matthew Robinson Jr. Award of Courage; and KultureCity founders Dr. Julian Maha and Dr. Michele Kong, who received the HollyRod Corporate Champion Award.