Queen Latifah earned a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 BET Awards for her multiple decade long extraordinary careers in music, film and business

After an emotional introduction by MC Lyte, and a performance of “Ladies Night” and “U.N.I.T.Y” by MC Lyte, Lil Kim, Rapsody and Monie Love, Latifah — born Dana Elaine Owens — walked up to the stage to accept the award, accompanied by her father.

“I’m so extremely moved. I don’t know what to say,” she said, holding back tears.

The theme of the night was “The Year of The Black Woman,” so Latifah thanked her mother, “a strong Black woman,” for raising her, as well as her father who respects women. She then pointed to the performers standing behind her on stage, and encouraged women to stay united. “Together, we stand stronger than when we tear each other apart,” she said.

Multi-talented Queen Latifah, who dropped her debut rap album All Hail the Queen in 1989, is a Grammy, Emmy and Golden Globe winner as well as an Oscar-nominated actress, producer and business woman.