Marla Gibbs, 93, Wants To Work!

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On a tearful and proud Monday evening, the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills was brimming with emotion as the American Black Film Festival honored five actors for their significant impact on cinema during the 2025 ABFF Honors ceremony.

At the commencement of the award ceremony, which was humorously hosted by Zainab Johnson, Anthony Mackie (from Brave New World) shared some inspiring advice that his Marvel co-star, Giancarlo Esposito (known for roles in School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Breaking Bad, Kaleidoscope, and The Gentlemen), had given to him when he was just starting out as an actor.

I myself emphasized, ‘If you aspire to be an active actor, remember it’s essential to consistently hone your skills. This might mean working without immediate payment, but the real treasure lies in perfecting your craft.'” – Mackie

In his acceptance speech for the Excellence in the Arts Award, Esposito expressed sentiments similar to this: “My personal journey has been about discovering myself and understanding who I am. The key, I’ve found, is to step back and allow my true passion to shine through. When I do, I realize that what I truly desire is a deep commitment to something I love. And because I love it so much, I never feel like I’m working at all.

As a gamer, I’d rephrase it like this: “Just now, I had the honor of presenting the Hollywood Legacy Award to my 227 co-star, Marla Gibbs. I took a moment to highlight her impressive accomplishments that extend far beyond her iconic role as Florence Johnston on The Jeffersons.

Back in the ’80s, I can’t stress enough how rare it was to see a woman, regardless of her color or appearance, making waves like Marla did in Hollywood. She wasn’t just an actress; she was a multi-talented powerhouse. Aside from acting, she wrote scripts, produced shows, and even sang. Remember Crossroads, the performing arts academy where we staged 227? Yep, that was her brainchild. Oh, and there was Marla’s Memory Lane, a jazz supper club frequented by top-tier musicians. But here’s the kicker – while she was captivating audiences on screen, she was also pulling the strings off-screen, making sure the show ran smoothly behind the scenes too. Simply put, she wasn’t just a star, she was the architect of her own success story.

93-year-old Gibbs humorously accepted her accolade, expressing gratitude for being recognized while still alive by ABFF. She playfully acknowledged her agents, Mike Baldridge and Garry Purdy, who were with her on stage, and jokingly asked the audience if they had any projects available as she indicated her readiness to work again.

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Accepting the honor at 93, Gibbs, known for her humor throughout a 50-plus-year career, expressed gratitude to ABFF for recognizing her while she’s still alive. She playfully pointed out her agents, Mike Baldridge and Garry Purdy, who joined her on stage, and humorously asked the audience if they had any projects going on as she indicated her readiness to work again.

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In receiving the award at 93, Gibbs, famous for her humor throughout a career spanning over half a century, thanked ABFF for honoring her while she’s still alive. She playfully highlighted her agents, Mike Baldridge and Garry Purdy, who were with her on stage, and jokingly asked the audience if they had any projects available as she signaled her eagerness to work again.

After receiving the 2024 Rising Star award from Gibbs, Kelvin Harrison Jr., graced the stage and handed over the spotlight to his co-star Aaron Pierre from their films “Genius: MLK” and “Mufasa: The Lion King”. In a lively reenactment, Pierre showcased the dance moves he had popularized on TikTok in December during his appearance on “The Jennifer Hudson Show”, as a live band played the original tune “That’s Mufasa”, which was specially composed by the talk show’s team.

As a grateful recipient of this year’s 2025 Rising Star honor, I can’t help but look back at the challenging journey that led me here. I owe it all to the powers above for granting me a “fresh start.” You see, there were times when I was down to my last penny, had to part ways with my possessions for cold, hard cash, and felt utterly lost as an actor without a single call or ring on the other end of the line. But even in those tough moments, I didn’t always recognize them as blessings. It’s only now, looking back, that I can see how each struggle was a stepping stone towards this incredible achievement.

Overwhelmed by emotion, the prominent British actor, who is about to portray the first Black Green Lantern, subsequently paid tribute to his late grandmother. “In 2022, our family mourned the loss of a pillar, my beloved grandmother,” he expressed. “My grandmother was born and brought up in Jamaica before journeying to London in search of prospects for her offspring and their descendants. This accolade is dedicated to my grandmother,” he added. “I miss you and I hope you are proud.

Next up, Boots Riley stepped forward to introduce Keke Palmer, star of his upcoming sci-fi comedy titled “I Love Boosters“. As a writer and director, he reminisced about a chat with Palmer on set, asking her if she still experienced the enchantment of filmmaking after being in the business for such a long time. “She replied, ‘What I enjoy is people,'” Riley recounted. “‘What I appreciate is working together to create something and having this creation be visible to the world, showcasing our collective effort.’

Palmer strongly reaffirmed her gratitude towards her fans and supporters as she received the Renaissance Award, acknowledging them as crucial to her long-lasting success in film. “I’d like to underscore that my community has consistently been one of my most significant partners,” she expressed, adding a nod to the comedy One of Them Days, where she serves as executive producer and co-stars with SZA. “Currently, we have a movie in theaters that’s number one, but let me share a story about my beginnings. I recall when I started with Akeelah and the Bee, it didn’t receive a warm welcome at the box office. Despite high expectations and everyone praising its potential, the movie flopped, along with initial enthusiasm for me. However, it wasn’t until the film became available online and on DVD that it found its audience, and our community turned it into a cherished classic.

Later, Palmer made clear her dedication to passing on the love she’s received to those following in her footsteps. “The Keke Palmer name you’re familiar with signifies much more than merely myself,” she expressed. “It embodies the achievements possible when a community rallies around you, and when, in turn, you can reciprocate that support.” She emphasized, “This isn’t just about an individual; it’s about the collective strength we hold together.

In all my professional endeavors, I’ve aimed to narrate tales that reflect the intricacies of our existence. As the founder of KeyTV Network, my goal is to bolster creators, providing them with essential tools, resources, and knowledge to actualize their ideas. They possess the power to establish their own businesses, and it’s important for them to recognize this fact. We deserve to be recognized, but we also deserve a fair share of the fruits of our labor. Although I am just one individual, my determination is strong, and my love for my culture serves as the fuel that propels me forward. The culture of Black Americans, gentlemen, is the essence of American culture.

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, the recipient of the final honor for Excellence in the Arts during the event, was presented with this accolade by director Ava DuVernay. Her acceptance speech echoed Palmer’s sentiments about Black artists holding ownership over their work. “I am indifferent to messages of being offered a seat at the table,” said Ellis-Taylor, star of The Nickel Boys. “What I truly desire is not just a seat or a table, but the entire structure.

Ellis-Taylor gratefully acknowledged the inspiration she received during the ceremony aimed at dismantling systemic barriers against Black artists. She expressed her gratitude by saying, “Audrey Lorde once said, ‘You can’t dismantle the master’s house with the master’s tools.’ I want to thank ABFF for helping me find the means to do just that – to tear down this house, this wall, and reclaim the land, because it belongs to me.

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2025-02-18 22:25