Open Post: Tyler Perry Preaches Black Ownership at BET Awards

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Studio owner Tyler Perry preached about the importance of ownership during his acceptance speech for the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2019 BET Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday.

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Taraji P. Henson, who has appeared in Tyler Perry films including The Family That Preys (2008), presented him with the award at the Microsoft Theater.

"In a time when my counterparts were making way more money than I was, Tyler Perry was the first to pay me my exact worth," Taraji said.

Tyler, who owns the massive Tyler Perry film and TV studios in Atlanta, echoed the late rapper Nipsey Hussle who advocated for Black ownership.

"While everybody was fighting for a seat at the table, talking about '#OscarSoWhite, #OscarSoWhite,' I said, 'Y'all go ahead and do that. But while you're fighting for a seat at the table, I'll be down in Atlanta building my own.' Because what I know for sure is that if I could just build this table, God will prepare it for me in the presence of my enemies."

Referring to his Ultimate Icon award, Tyler said, "rather than being an icon, I want to be an inspiration. I want you to hear this, every dreamer in this room. There are people whose lives are tied to your dream. Own your stuff, own your business, own your way."
 

Full list of winners from the 2019 BET Awards

Album of the Year - Cardi B, Invasion Of Privacy

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist - Beyonce

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist - Bruno Mars

Best Group - Migos

Best Collaboration - Travis Scott ft. Drake, Sicko Mode

Best Male Hip Hop Artist - Nipsey Hussle

Best Female Hip Hop Artist - Cardi B

Video Of The Year - Childish Gambino, This Is America

Video Director of the Year - Karena Evans

Best New Artist - Lil Baby

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award - Snoop Dogg ft. Rance Allen, Blessing Me Again

Best International Act - Burna Boy (Nigeria)

Best New International Act - ShoMadjozi (South Africa)

Best Actress - Regina King

Best Actor - Michael B. Jordan

Young Stars Award - Marsai Martin

Best Movie - Blackkklansman

Sportswoman of the Year - Serena Williams

Sportsman of the Year - Stephen Curry

2019 Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award - Ella Mai, Trip

Humanitarian Award - Nipsey Hussle

Lifetime Achievement Award - Mary J. Blige

BET Her Award - H.E.R., Hard Place
 

  • EasyBreezy

    Best use of the word "Negro," IMO.

  • tia

    It was a powerful speech. Tyler employers everyone and their mama and restarts careers. Good for him!

  • Coy little wink

    Tyler...call me boo ?

  • Kimocha
  • IyanlaVanzantoftheInterWebs
  • Blaque Mahogany

    Great speech, Tyler!

    He doesn't always get it right, but I think his heart is in the right place.

  • http://batman-news.com Roderick2011

    LOL

  • http://batman-news.com Roderick2011

    LOL!!

  • Keyshia Ray

    Yes she was she was Sanaa sister.

  • Queen B

    Yall see old skool in the back giving Tyler the side eye lol

  • MyNameIs

    I’m logging back out because I tried to check Sandra and was wrong ??? forgot she was in the family that preys. Bye y’all.

  • jeniefrumdabloc™

    I love me some Tyler ... keep giving Tyler <3

  • Pitty Patty

    At gala that Ms.Tina and Richard Lawson had a few weeks back Tyler said (while accepting another award presented by the Lawsons) he was building a facility on the studio movie lot that's going to hold 400 people. Its gonna be for girls who were trafficking, LQGTB kids who are displaced, and battered women with kids with no place to go. He said that he's going to use the facility to house them and to teach them how to work behind the scenes writing and producing.

    My mouth dropped when said that. Because that's HUGE for Atlanta. He's basically building his own community. I think is so dope of him to do that...

    I'm not fond of most of his shows or movies, but I respect the hell out of him for changing Hollywood. He doesn't get enough credit for that.

  • SugarFoot a.k.a Ty

    Yassss Tyler!!! We spend the most yet own the least which is crazy. I just wish my people knew the power they possess chile.

    By ELLEN MCGIRT Updated: February 28, 2018 12:40 PM ET

    A new report from Nielsen on the current buying power of consumers of color offers a fascinating look at how we’re spending our money. For one, we seem to be eating a lot of vegetables.

    For another, we’re shaping markets.

    In the report Black Dollars Matter: The Sales Impact of Black Consumers, the message is clear: While African Americans make up just 14% of the population, we are responsible for some $1.2 trillion in purchases annually. Further, consumers of color are showing an outsized influence in several key consumer categories, and are increasingly demanding that businesses do and be better.

    In some cases, black consumers make up over 50% of overall spending, such as the category of dry grains and vegetables. But other categories are stand-outs as well, like baby food (42.76%) personal soap and bath needs (41.64%) and air fresheners and deodorizers (38.29%).

    But the big takeaway is the willingness of smart brands to respond to the needs and feedback of black shoppers.

    “Our research shows that Black consumer choices have a ‘cool factor’ that has created a halo effect, influencing not just consumers of color but the mainstream as well,” says Cheryl Grace, Senior Vice President of U.S. Strategic Community Alliances and Consumer Engagement, Nielsen. “These figures show that investment by multinational conglomerates in R&D to develop products and marketing that appeal to diverse consumers is, indeed, paying off handsomely.”

    But don’t try to play if you’re not ready.

    Nielsen’s research shows that 38% of African Americans between the ages of 18 and 34 and 41% of those aged 35 or older expect the brands they buy to support social causes, outpacing the total population by 4% and 15%, respectively. The data also shows that once black-themed products are leaving the “ethnic” aisle and finding a wider audience. But the process can be fraught, as charismatic Shea Moisture founder Richelieu Dennis discovered last year when a poorly conceived video advertisement rankled their core customers.

    Andrew McCaskill, Nielsen’s Senior Vice President, Global Communications and Multicultural Marketing, and long-time diversity advocate, breaks it down. “With 43% of the 75 million Millennials in the U.S. identifying as African American, Hispanic or Asian, if a brand doesn’t have a multicultural strategy, it doesn’t have a growth strategy,” he says.

  • Carrington

    I have always said that Tyler's content is not for me and I hate the fact that he employs the SAME actors over and over, but I will ALWAYS support him because he's a black man doing the damn thing and I aspire for one TENTH of the success he's had.

    You don't have to be a fan of someone's art to be a fan of the arTIST and that pretty much describes my weird relationship with Tyler Perry. Brother smudged the blueprint and drew all over that MF. Bra mufukkin vo, TP. Bravo.

    I hope black folk see that speech and become inspired. Inspired to seek out, and take, what is there for the taking. Create your own opportunities, learn at LEAST one thing from every successful person you know and apply it to your life. Decide how you want to feel and work toward that. Decide how you want to live and work toward it.

    Damn it, Tyler Perry had church. I ain't even got to go next week.

  • SugarFoot a.k.a Ty

    and low key purchased almost 800 acres in Douglas County to grow his own food....I see you Tyler!

  • iWasteTime

    He always has a on time and powerful message. I like that he shows and proves. He's done so much for so many and humbly I may add!

  • ReadingIsFundamental4Real

    I second Deacon Carrrington's sentiments.

  • Pitty Patty

    Exactly.

  • MyNameIs

    Sandra, Is Mary getting her own post with performance included? ?

  • Rayscoty

    Mary J Blige was not into that performance. She sick of singing them songs. I know her set by heart even her off key runs

  • speakinmymind

    Let the church say amen!

  • Applebum

    I don’t care for Tyler perry’s Movies/shows but his speech was everything. Very moving.

  • Marlika

    ??

  • Mr.LeBrickJames

    He nailed it. I remember in my old stomping grounds in Queens, NY it seemed like 90% of the businesses were owned by Hispanics, Asians, and Arabs. That always bothered me. Now here in ATL I see a lot more black owned business, thank God. We need to be putting dollars into black businesses, recirculating money among our own people, instead of allowing other races to be getting rich off of us in our own communities.

  • Kimberly King

    I don't like the generalizations and stigma behind his work so I don't watch his movies or shows. I watched a clip of his spews he. His words were true, but they didn't move me. It sounded like he was trying to preach. Lol but he's right - blacks gotta stop seeking acceptance in places where they're not desired. F*ck all white people. And any other race that's against us for that matter.

  • Kimberly King

    Agreed ! I'm natural, and thank god black women are taking over the haircare industry. All of the products I use (Alikay, Kinky Curly, Camille Rose, Uncle Funky's Daughter) are from black owned brands. And I always order directly from their websites.

  • Ghetto Real Name

    So many people including people right here on this blog downed this man for so very long. They hated his dressing in drag. They agreed with what Spike Lee was saying. I'm not here for the fake acceptance now.

  • T Willis

    I’ve been saying the same sh*t for years ?... black folks ain’t trying to hear it ?????

  • Pitty Patty

    I will admit, I used to call him Tyla and I hate his Madea character. But over the years I've seen what he does outside of his movies and how employs blacks and the surrounding Atlanta area, and so for that he gets my respect.

    People change sis....

  • hottlanta

    Glad he HIRES the same people over n over again n his checks clear the bank. If didnt hire them who would. Glad 2 see a black man chasing dollars n not puzzy n not on facebook holding stacks 2 prove his wealth.

  • Logan Roberts

    ???Congrats Tyler. Stay humble, giving and God will continue to bless you. You are an inspiration to all.

  • Karen Brady

    Same here.

  • Real Eyes Realize Real Lies

    Lol.

  • Li-Wright

    Alright, I'm going to be controversial. I am so tired of Blk folk asking for help when they have the will and ability to not only work, but to SAVE money. SAVE money. I see more women primarily with expensive shy*T on. I was just watching a video about streetwear, which is being designed by Black designers - GREAT! But their logo'd pants and shoes, etc. cost $500 and more!!!! You damn well know, those shoes cost $10 to make in China and then they sell them to mainly black people for $500. I see parents putting NIKES on their kids, JEEZYS, etc. Now I'm not trying to take away from Kanye, et al, but come on! Hundreds of dollars for some shoes???? The kids go to school and we have a separation of "wealth" just in the gym shoes!!! All the kids in school wearing NIKES. If you're going to wear Nikes - OWN SOME NIKE STOCK!

    The FRB said that the AVERAGE american has $400 in emergency funds. If that's the average, then Black people have even less than that. People gotta stop OVERSPENDING and start saving. Look at the other folk (Asians, Hispanics, Africans, Arabs). They have businesses, they have money. They don't spend money on over-priced stuff. When they do it's a treat.

    Go to the thrift stores and buy your clothes. Aint no shame in the Dollar Store, Target, etc. But I see black people trying to buy SUPREME when they don't have SUPREME money. Jesse once said that white people's money circulates 20 times in their neighborhood; black people's money circulates 3 times.

    So glad to see our sports & entertainment folk making money and owing their name and companies. They're setting the table. And like Tyler said, he wasn't worried about #OSCARSOWHITE, because he had his own. (ala Oprah)

  • Li-Wright

    So have the Nation of Islam.

  • Li-Wright

    I'm not for Tyler dressing in drag. He can retire Madea, in fact somebody else could have played Madea. But, if that phase of his life is OVER WITH and he's moving on to more mature things, wonderful.

  • NewNew

    I can't stand Madea either. People are multifaceted and opinions do change when more information is gained. Also, you don't always have to like the messenger but can appreciate the message.

  • Li-Wright

    White people respect blacks much more when black people are self-reliant, independent and have an education, can make money. And those type of black people don't worry about race and what white people think of them (Oprah), they just go and get theirs and help others.

  • Li-Wright

    I see so many artists, mainly rappers, who are fake money-makers. They get cash and show it online and brag. Young folk, no education, no college, spending money, wearing UGLY streetwear. Not paying their taxes. They should know the IRS and government is watching their FB posts.

  • Hazel

    So it's okay for LV and Gucci to charge $500 for shoes, but not a black owned company? I agree that the amount folks spend to wear someone else's name on their @ss is crazy (especially if they're broke). But, don't insinuate that black labels are less worthy than others.

  • Real Eyes Realize Real Lies

    They say Champaign taste with beer money. Health is wealth is my motto.. I might overspend on the naturals. Thanks for the uplift.

  • http://batman-news.com Roderick2011

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    You're part of the problem
    Phuck white folks and what they think of us.

  • Hazel

    True. But it would be nice if he expanded his cast a bit lol.

  • http://batman-news.com Roderick2011

    You mean the Nation of Bean Pies and Bow Ties.

    Ha,ha,ha!!

  • http://batman-news.com Roderick2011

    Your vision was myopic like Monique's.

    Sometimes you have to play the game to collect your coins so you can accumulate power to change the gain.

    You can't just come in and think you can wave your wand because you won some damn award and the entire game is going to change.

  • Li-Wright

    Nope I didn't write that. They can charge $500, blacks don't have to buy it and make THEM RICH! A while back EU designers would only design for the Hollywoodites, now they're designing for everybody and charging RICH money.

  • http://batman-news.com Roderick2011

    Your masculinity is so so fragile.

    Oh nos what will the my fellow hoodrats say behind my back?

    I'm glad that Tyler did his thing and didn't give a damn about what people said and are still saying about him (behind his back) because no good Negroes will always be jealous because they don't have the courage to do crap because they are scared someone is going to say something about them.

    I guess you forgot what Hattie McDaniels said about playing a maid--it paid more than actually being one.

  • Ebony Starr

    I saw Starbury's documentary at Tribeca Film Festival. He couldn't sell his affordable sneakers because no one wanted to be seen wearing them because it make them look poor. So what's the point of trying to offer reasonable prices. People want to be seen in the most expensive brands.

  • Renee26

    I like how Kandi also helped boost somebody's career this week. The lady mentioned in her commemt section that she'd love to do Kandi's braids. She reached out and got her braids laid right in the lady living room and posted it to her IG.... Bet her phone is ringing off the charts now. ?

    Let me hop on some famous people page and start being "Joe" so I can receive a blessing!

  • SunRiseBlossom

    https://media3.giphy.com/media/1080KoYO1tkYuY/giphy.gif

    Tyler said he REFUSED to let the system hold him back...

  • Bree

    I loved Tyler Perry's early work: I Know I've Been Changed was my ish. I'm not a fan of the latter part of his career but I must say he has employed many of our own. I don't think we should be sitting around crying wolf, when we can create our opportunities and employ our own people. Hell, go to any Asian, Chinese, or foreign market and you only see their people working. I say, if they don't come to us, we shouldn't go to them. There should be enough to go around for us to feed our families. I like the fact that Tyler paid Taraji seven figures, she is so worth it.

  • http://batman-news.com Roderick2011

    And Tyler still loves HIS people even though they still trash him daily.

  • Renee26

    Idk why people act like male comedians dressing as ladies hasn't been a part of comedy history. Yt people do it too but whem Tyler did it, it's ruining black men. They didn't hate Martin or Jamie Fox for doing it on the all time classic Martin and In Living Color... but they can't tolerate Tylers work.

    How Sway??

  • Bree

    I like Kandi. She has helped alot of people. Look at what she did with Kim Zolciak and how she gave Porsha Williams a part in the play she had and let her sing. She offered Nene a job, but the queen declined.

  • KcoolMuziq

    Tyler( whom I could have worked for & whose married) is a GREAT example of a black man that is humble & gives back.

  • Renee26

    Ummm he married huh...

  • Bree

    The bible says: love your enemies. We hear more about Tyler's work than Spike Lee's. And I love Spike Lee's movies.

  • http://batman-news.com Roderick2011

    Jealously. Crabs in a barrel. Aunt Hager's children.

  • Cheese eggs

    I'm glad as well. I hope that we hold on and not give into the pressure to "secure the bag" and sell out to these white owned conglomerates....*shae moisture, carols daughter*

  • Real Eyes Realize Real Lies

    He ain't stressing. Men don't stress like women. They can lose something to gain which is business.. I thought he preyed on women weakness. I'm happy things coming to change.

  • Rent em Spoons ?????????

    Not a fan of his madea shit ,
    Never got into it , but can’t do anything but have respect for Tyler from
    Being one of the top paid actors in Hollywood to doing it his way with a partnership with lions gate to producing his own way instead of waiting on green lit pilots the old way. He puts more blacks to work in Atlanta than damn near most of Hollywood on the small screen . Can’t hate knock how he moves, he ain’t begging and complaining like a spike lee , he knocking down dooors one by one on hi terms.

  • Rent em Spoons ?????????

    Actually his sneakers were selling really good at one point . The biggest hurdle was the partnership he had with the shoe chain , I forgot the name of it , but they went out of business and it was his biggest P.O

  • Alextra Ballard

    He iz???

  • Rent em Spoons ?????????

    Spike lee has to beg the white man for projects , Tyler making his own way , spike has been a hater . Protesting the academy for years only to jump up and down like a fool accepted and embraced by white arms last year , it was cringe. If you make good work and know it , then the fake approval of others shouldn’t dictate happiness . Box office sales and love amongst the real ones should be the only confirmation you need. Spike is a half way clown for callin out another black man publicly when it’s something he could have did behind closed doors.

  • EMILY POST

    Wow wasn't BET owned by a Black person. Didn't they get the first opportunity to do what Tyler Perry did.
    Tyler Perry is one of the few people that don't forget about black people and does not forget where he came from. Cant say that about many in black Hollywood they are so sold out.
    Moved to Atlanta and opened his Studios. That is key he had to move away from Hollywood to be successful.

  • ImReallyCaitlynNotMelania
  • Ghetto Real Name

    Listen

  • Kimberly King

    Yep. I just never understood the obsession with OTHERS opinion. What God has for us is for us. Nobody can take it away. Regardless of their race or how powerful they think they are.

  • ImReallyCaitlynNotMelania

    I wished Sheneneh and Wanda would have met up to see who was the baddest chick. LOL

  • Ghetto Real Name

    I did same. I always acknowledged he helped blacks tho. A lot of blacks didnt want to hear that part tho. Easier to call him a coon in a dress

  • hottlanta

    Why dont u start your own production company. Put your money where the camera. R u gonna employ these people once he let them go. What is that l hear. Crickets l thought so.

  • Ghetto Real Name

    This. He pist me off. When he won. Like...

  • Joy King

    Tyler Perry has always been an inspiration to me. I remember a few years ago he did an interview and told a story about when he was little, he watched his father breaking his back working for someone else building houses. Tyler said he knew back then he wanted to own the company that built the houses. That interview changed my life in terms of how I thought about business. I have much respect for that man.

  • ClaireHuxtable

    Yes. To me.

  • ClaireHuxtable

    "People gotta stop OVERSPENDING and start saving."
    It's not what you make, but how much you spend. Live wise because your worth isn't in what you can buy.

  • ClaireHuxtable

    It's been done for thousands of years.

  • Ebony Starr

    In the documentary they stated they weren't selling well. Not my words.

  • T Willis

    Yes ??

  • Hazel

    Gtfoh. You clearly have a problem if you can't understand the benefits of diversification as a business concept. You are painfully ignorant, and apparently unable to make your subjects agree with your verbs....

  • Cricket404

    Atlanta City Council said Tyler didn't hold up his promise to build up the Greenbriar district for his first studio.

  • Alextra Ballard

    TP has gone from being homeless to havin a net worth over 400 million...if that’s not being inspirational,I don’t know what is.

  • Disgustd

    His actions speak louder than words. He was completely free and creating his own thing and then WILLINGLY went back onto the plantation to make jewISH plantation owners (big movie studios) more money off of the fan base HE built wholly on his own. He didn't need them, they needed to use him. So his statement is dubious, at best. I also don't understand why he/Ava/Spike and anything other notable black filmmaker/director working on the Hollyweird plantation don't join forces like the Spielbergs & the Geffens and create something that tell our stories?

  • Disgustd

    I wouldn't doubt he is married. I've never seen his son in the media. He's about 18 now, isn't he? lol...and if Jada & MC Lyte could end up married...it's possible Tyler could too.

  • Disgustd

    Oh really? What was Black Wall Street & Rosewood, then? What was the sub-prime mortgage scheme? The country does not respect those traits in the black collective, they FEAR them. History proves this. Whenever blacks as a collective (they don't fear the outliers, exceptions & tokens) come together and build wealth, the US govt & it's proxies have consistently and in an organized way, sought to steal and/or destroy it. Historical facts.

  • Disgustd

    Now, that's dope! We need more black farmers.

  • free

    i lived over there and, believe me, he did enough.

  • hottlanta

    Lets play a game at the next White house presidential photo op. Lets count the number of black folks with key positions dump has appointed.

  • E-VannaRootsAllEvil

    I’m confused what was he supposed to do?

  • Ep from Hp

    salute to him. this was well deserved.

  • Mama Dee’s Wig Maker

    I thought they were still building over there.

  • http://batman-news.com Roderick2011

    Bree: The bible says: love your enemies.

    Blah, blah, blah!!

  • Mama Dee’s Wig Maker

    No lies told...

  • hottlanta

    What did the politicans do for that area. That is the problem.

  • TransMichelle

    Yeah, a great storage place for ped0philes and sex traffickers and people into all types of perversity. These demented individuals include those from the entertainment business, politicians, royalty, CEOs and others. You'd be surprised at what these people are up to. Sorry, I don't trust it.

  • sunni_daze

    Tyler dropped a lot jewels in his speech. I hope the people picked up what he was laying down.

  • Renee26

    ?

  • Renee26

    That's what I'm sayin lol... Kool dropped tea and dipped off as usual ?

  • Renee26

    ? Aunt Hager

  • Parent

    Speaking of the BET Awards, did ya see Nipsey's mom speech? I was like ummm, someone grab that mic. I'm convinced she is crazy. I wonder how Lauren receives her. Did you see the way she was telling Nipsey's dad to speak louder. Embarrassing.

  • Angela Marsh

    EDEN ALSO IS BLACK OWNED.

  • Tee Tee

    I would receive this if he didn't hire the same actors to play in every single movie and TV show.
    Prime example of "they only f*ck with who they think popular at the moment" it's all fake in my opinion ?????

  • Tee Tee

    I would receive this if he didn't hire the same actors to play in every single movie and TV show.
    Prime example of "they only f*ck with who they think popular at the moment" it's all fake in my opinion ?????

  • Kimberly King

    Yea I know. I just don't like their ingredients.

  • SpiceGirl

    All he does and he still be getting shade thrown at him! Way to go TP! I rocks with ya!

  • Sassie

    Love Tyler. Not sure how you can NOT respect and love this man.

  • Readytochokemothernature

    ????

  • Leggs1018

    Well said. As a CRE attorney in Atlanta I see the growing progress of the area surrounding his studio and the new assets emerging that has “other” communities no longer thinking twice about dwelling and investing in that area within the last few years.
    This speaks volumes about the pre-existing value this individual has single handedly attributed to.

  • LLC

    but the fans love classic madea. dont mess with the formula