After she was handed the award from Issa Rae, Berry gave an incredibly inspiring speech.

She reflected back on how she first got involved with the "Bruised" project, saying:

"The first time I read the script for "Bruised"... I realized the role wasn't written for someone who looked like me. So I went to the producers, and I asked, 'Why not me? Why can't it be a black woman?' They said, 'Why not?' Later on, they told me, 'Go find a director.' And finally, I summoned the courage to say, 'Why not me?' They said, 'Why not?'"

Berry added,

"We will tell stories that capture us fully in all of our multitudes and contradictions. We are confident and we're scared. We are vulnerable and we're strong...if we deny our complexity, then we deny our humanity.

She concluded the speech by honoring "every little girl who feels unseen and unheard."