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CNN Live At Daybreak

Stars Come Out For Essence Awards

Aired June 07, 2002 - 06:57   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the winners of this year's Essence Awards have had their trophies now for about a week, but the awards ceremony was just broadcast last night and the stars, they certainly came out.

CNN's Daryn Kagan reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... years, this has been the 2002 Essence Awards.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): For 15 years, "Essence" magazine has put on the ritz for its awards show. This year, a who's who of television, film and music walked the red carpet for the annual affair. It began as a way of saying thank you to the magazine's readers and now the gratitude is coming back.

ESSENCE ATKINS, ACTRESS: It's transcended decades and it's been around for a long time and it's celebrated women from all, women of color from all different areas of life, women that we could grow up to emulate.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

ATKINS: And we're just happy to be a part of that history and to be here.

KAGAN: Unlike the Grammys or the Oscars, these awards have also recognized the efforts of unknown or unsung heroes who have helped their communities, as well as celebrities who use their fame to spread positive messages.

INDIA ARIE, SINGER: Honor people for the right reasons. The criteria is something I believe in, like the excellence of black people and black women, especially. For that I'm here.

KAGAN: This year's awards honored communicators, people who contributed to American and world culture. Among the honorees, songstress India Arie, Oscar winning actress Halle Berry...

HALLE BERRY, ACTRESS: I really have enjoyed that they usually honor every day regular people that are really making a difference in the community. I know this year it's more about entertainers, but usually it's about everyday people, the unsung heroes, you know? And I'm proud to be a part of that group.

KAGAN: Platinum and Grammy recording artist Alicia Keys.

ALICIA KEYS, SINGER: Oh, oh, oh, oh, I have to say that this right here right now is truly a dream come true.

KAGAN: Mega-producing duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

JIMMY JAM, PRODUCER: It feels great. It's, you know, it's coming from women. It's coming from African-American women. That's a wonderful thing. I'm included with a lot of great honorees tonight.

KAGAN: And one of the brightest stars in their galaxy of performers, music icon Janet Jackson. She received the first ever reader's choice Entertainer of the Year Award. It's this spirit of sisterhood that is the essence of the awards show and the magazine itself.

GOLDEN BROOKS, ACTRESS, "GIRLFRIENDS": "Essence" magazine has definitely been the catalyst in celebrating, you know, the black aesthetic and I think the magazine needs to be celebrated.

KAGAN: And it was a grand celebration, indeed.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Aired last night. Congratulations to all the winners.

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