CW star, community members receive awards

By: Justin Boehm and Racquel Clarke

Posted: 3/31/08

Tracee Ellis Ross almost ran out of time during the question-and-answer session Friday night. She insisted on hugging her fans and addressing their questions personally.

Ross, the daughter of Grammy Award winner Diana Ross, received The Sojourner Truth Award as part of the 19th Annual Tribute to the African-American Woman, hosted by the Syracuse Chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club (NANBPWC) and the Student African-American Society (SAAS). The event was held in a crowded room in the Schine Student Center.

Ross, the star of The CW's television show "Girlfriends," was one of four women honored Friday, including three members of the Syracuse community. The awards are designed to honor a female who embodies exceptional leadership.

Sojourner Truth, an escaped slave, became an abolitionist and a women's rights activist during her lifetime. Famous for her "Ain't I a Woman?" speech at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention in 1857, Truth spent her life giving to others.

The other three honorees are an SU student, an SU professor and a community leader.

Jemella Raymore, a senior biology major with a minor in African-American studies, was honored for her commitment to the community. Raymore volunteers at Crouse Hospital and is a peer leader for the WellsLink Leadership Program, which helps incoming minorities adjust to college life.

"I was so honored," Raymore said of Ross' speech. "She commented on African- American issues and used her platform to encourage us as college women."

This year's faculty honoree is Gwendolyn Pough, an associate professor of women's studies and writing, as well as an award-winning author of four novels.

And Tareta Cunningham's passion for people and social justice earned her award. She is currently the program manager for Jubilee Homes of Syracuse Inc's YouthBuild Program. She helps teens and young adults restructure their lives through education and career training.

Ross, however, remained the centerpiece of the evening. She centered her speech on the idea that "culture has become obsessed with fame…we lose our quest for identity in search for fame."

With meager opportunity roles for black women in Hollywood, Ross said she chooses her roles very carefully. She chose her role in "Girlfriends" because it positively portrayed black women: her character was a successful business woman. Ross walked away from one role that required nudity and fought to make "Girlfriends" a show she could continue to be proud of.

"She was really inspiring," said Samantha Thomas, a freshman in the School of Education. "I am going to apply her model to my life so I can achieve."

Ross also expressed her concerns about the over-sexualization of black woman in television creating a limited point of view.

After "Girlfriends," Ross felt a new responsibility for the images she portrayed, she said. She warned students never to compromise their values in the pursuit of fame.

Ross encouraged the audience to develop a standard in which they would never stoop below their morals in the pursuit of reaching their goals. Ross said she does not compromise her values even if that means booking fewer roles.

"We are more than our bodies," Ross said. "You are beautiful and talented. The world needs you."

jkboehm@syr.edu

reclarke@syr.edu