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25th NAACP Image Awards

Date confirmed in Getty Images’ “Ron Galella Collection” (archived) (“25th Annual NAACP Image Awards on January 16, 1993”)

Speech Transcript

(Black or White Award)

I really wasn’t expecting to win this. I was … I love you all very, very much.

Thank you to the NAACP and all of you. You are very dear, sweet, loving people. Thank you so much!

(25th Silver Anniversary Entertainer of the Year Award)

First I’d like to say ‘Thank you’ to my mother. You see her tonight — she’s the one in blue.

Thank you for giving me life — I really mean that.

I love you!

[Screaming fans in the audience. Michael laughs]

I love you, too.

There are two things which the NAACP stands for which are the most important things in my life: freedom and equality.

In every person there is a secret song in their heart. It says: ‘I am free!’, it sings: ‘I am One!’.

This is the natural feeling of every child. To be free as the wind, to be one with every other child. All the troubles in the world are caused by forgetting this feeling.

And when I perform my connection is with people to just remind me of that: to be free and to be One.

In this spirit the NAACP has done its cherished work.

Thank you for having the faith to see that I share your work — for I deeply feel I do.

I accept this award on behalf of the world’s healing.

When all our brothers and sisters will be as free and equal as we are today.

I love you so much and I am very honoured and thank you for this award.

Thank you so much.

Chris Cadman, author, “Michael Jackson the Maestro”

Patti Labelle & gospel singer Daryl Coley pay tribute to Michael by performing Will You Be There.

Taking Michael to the stage were youngsters Bryton McClure who played Richie in Family Matters and actress Raven Simoné.

Michael had chosen Bryton McClure for his LA Gear campaign in 1989 and became friends with the youngster.

He appeared in the ‘Will You Be There’ video and on stage with him in Valladolid Spain in 1997.

McClure was also personally invited by Michael to appear on the “What More Can I Give” charity song for 9/ 11, also appearing virtually next to him at the “United We Stand What More Can I Give” concert in October 2001.

Michael complimented McClure’s performance at the "Killer Thriller Fan Party" at The Equinox

Cadman, Chris. Michael Jackson The Maestro The Definitive A-Z Volume II - K-Z: Michael Jackson The Maestro The Definitive A-Z Volume II - K-Z (Michael Jackson The Maestro The Definitive A-Z - A-J Book 1) (p. 311). Chris Cadman. Kindle Edition.