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00:00I have the faith that sees the invisible, expects the incredible, receives the
00:18impossible, faith that can conquer anything, faith that uproots my problems, faith to know
00:39God, God can solve them, faith to vision my freedom, my freedom, oh, faith that can conquer
01:03anything.
01:06Good evening everybody and first, let me say thank you to my friend, my cast mate, my
01:32Lisa Ann Walters.
01:34You know, for taking the time to be here this evening, you know, we work very long hours.
01:43We are up at 4 o'clock to be on set by 5.30 to be ready to shoot at 7.30, and it is a
01:51grind, so when somebody asks you to come and be with them after hours, thank you.
02:00I want to thank Variety and the Coalition for Faith and Media for this extraordinary
02:09honor to be recognized as a visionary for faith and spirituality in entertainment.
02:17Now, that's humbling.
02:22Faith has been a guiding light in my life, a constant source of strength, resilience,
02:31and hope.
02:33It is that quiet whisper that reminds me who I am, even in moments of doubt, and there
02:41have been many.
02:44It is that force that has carried me through doors that others said would not be open for
02:52someone like me.
02:57Faith has allowed me to stand tall in places where I wasn't always welcomed, and tonight
03:03it is faith that allows me to share this stage with so many faithful storytellers who are
03:13lifting up narratives that often go unheard.
03:19In an industry that thrives on the spectacular, it can be hard to make space for something
03:26as deeply personal as spirituality.
03:31But faith, real faith, is not about easy answers or glossy portrayals.
03:40It is about the messy, the beautiful, the complicated journey that we all take to find
03:49meaning, connection, and purpose.
03:54Faith, it's about stories that reflect our shared humanity, that honor the questions
04:01as much as the answers, that celebrate the sacred in the everyday grind.
04:14Through my portrayal of the blessed Barbara Howard on ABC's Abbott Elementary, a character
04:23so lovingly created by our alchemist Quinta Brunson, I have tried to honor that journey,
04:37whether it's in a storyline of the committed teacher inspiring her students and those around
04:43her, or the woman of faith simply striving to do what is right while embracing change.
04:53I am honored to show the power of faith, not just as a belief system, but as an action
05:04and a way of being.
05:07Because faith is that blessed thing that makes broken wings fly.
05:15I want to thank my family.
05:17I want to thank my team.
05:20I want to thank every creator, writer, and producer in this room who dares to tell stories
05:31that shine a light on the soul.
05:36You remind us that entertainment is more than just escapism.
05:41Entertainment is a mirror, a bridge, and sometimes a lifeline like Abbott Elementary.
05:52To those in this room and beyond, because the cameras are running, those who continue
06:01to push for nuanced, compelling portrayals of faith in media, know that your work matters.
06:10You matter.
06:11It is shifting hearts and it is opening minds.
06:16Especially the dreamers out there, especially the ones who feel unseen.
06:20Oh, I know what that feels like.
06:23Know this.
06:26Your story matters.
06:30Your voice matters.
06:33And your faith, whatever it looks like, is enough to move mountains.
06:42And take that from someone who has looked at many mountains and said, either you will
06:49move or I will have to climb you.
06:58Thank you for this honor.
07:00Let us continue to tell stories that uplift, stories that connect, stories that inspire.
07:07Together, we can ensure that faith and spirituality remain vibrant, essential parts of our shared narrative.
07:18I thank you, and God, or whatever you believe in or don't believe in, let it bless you indeed.