In a recent speech, Viola Davis discussed her childhood marked by extreme poverty and racial discrimination. Despite these obstacles, she emphasized that these “dark” experiences only strengthened her determination to achieve greatness.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, while accepting the Jacqueline Avant HollyRod Humanitarian Award at the HollyRod Foundation DesignCare 2024 Gala in Los Angeles on Sept. 28, the 59-year-old actress and philanthropist opened up about the harsh realities of growing up in poverty and facing racism in her hometown of Central Falls, Rhode Island.
“I listen to what people say, that when you go into philanthropy, it’s about making the world a better place; and that’s absolutely what I want, but the two people that you owe the most to are your six-year-old self and your 80-year-old self,” the Academy Award-winning star said at Saturday’s gala which raised funds to support families impacted by Parkinson’s disease and autism.
“I don’t know my 80-year-old self yet… but I know 6-year-old self because she’s still very much alive to me.”
Viola Davis at the HollyRod Foundation DesignCare 2024 Gala in Los Angeles. Source: Rodin Eckenroth / Getty
Growing up, Davis said while she “had a lot of dreams,” lack of hope would often deter her from pursuing them due to her surroundings. In a 2022 interview with People, Davis recalled the depths of her childhood poverty, describing how she and her siblings resorted to dumpster diving for food while facing bullying from neighborhood kids who hurled rocks and shouted racist slurs about their skin color. Those painful memories resurfaced during her speech on Saturday. The Emmy-winning star told the crowd that she “grew up with very little food and in abject poverty” and was called the “N-word more times than she was called Viola — and ugly.”
As a natural-born “hero,” the How to Get Away With Murder alum stated that those destined for greatness, like herself, often enter a world where they feel they don’t belong. Now that she has achieved success, Davis is committed to helping others discover their own “radical” and “active love.” Reflecting on her childhood, she expressed her longing for a love that transcended her poverty and appearance. To give back, she is committed to ensuring that no child goes hungry and that everyone has access to the opportunities they need to thrive in a supportive community where they feel recognized and valued.
Source: Rodin Eckenroth / Getty
Davis’ philanthropy work.
As a proud ambassador for Hunger Is, the Hollywood standout advocates for an end to childhood hunger globally. She also supports RiseFirst, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering first-generation and low-income (FGLI) students and professionals nationwide, providing life and career guidance, resource lists, and mentorship through an online platform, according to the organization’s website.
Over the years, Davis has also made significant contributions to her hometown of Central Falls. In 2011, she donated funds to prevent the closure of the city’s public library due to budget cuts, and in 2018, she supported her alma mater, Central Falls High School, by donating to its theater program.
Before concluding her Humanitarian Award speech at the HollyRod Foundation, Davis fought back tears as she reflected on her journey and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to give back to those who have faced their own “dark” moments, just as she had.
“I was reluctant to say this, 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 that she needs next. I want to be that person that came through the dark and said, ‘I see you.’ That’s why I work with hunger. That’s why I work with education. That’s why I work with domestic violence. I see you,” The Woman King actress added.
“And as long as I am breathing, I know that my leg of this race is to pass the baton on to the next great runner who’s gonna get it and put it out into the world and make others feel less alone.”
Rodney Peete, Holly Robinson at the Hollyrod 2023 Designcare Gala held at The Beehive on July 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Source: Gilbert Flores / Getty
What is The HollyRod Foundation?
The HollyRod Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by actress Holly Robinson Peete and her husband, former NFL star Rodney Peete Sr. The foundation is dedicated to providing support and resources for individuals and families affected by autism and Parkinson’s disease. Its mission includes raising awareness, funding research, and offering assistance through various programs, including educational initiatives, financial aid, and community outreach efforts. According to Variety, Davis is the second recipient of the Jacqueline Avant HollyRod Humanitarian Award at the DesignCare Gala following 2023 awardee Naomi Campbell.
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