the year in q: bet humanitarian award
In 2008, Quincy picked up numerous honors. Among the most high profile was BET’s Humanitarian Award, presented to Q on June 24, 2008 at network’s annual award show.
Quincy was presented with the honor for his philanthropic efforts over the years, which include arranging and producing USA For Africa’s historic charity record “We Are the World,” as well as his work with his own Listen Up Foundation, which teamed with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to build more than 100 homes in South Africa.
At the BET Awards, Quincy was flattered to receive the award and reflected on his difficult childhood on the mean streets of Chicago. “It is a brilliant honor for me to be here tonight,” Quincy said.” I just want to say that I understand what it feels like to be on the bottom-I come from the south side of Chicago, so don’t nobody tell me about ghet-to.”
“Somehow that never leaves you…Always ask why, because you cannot separate your life” from others. Paraphrasing legendary Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy, Quincy continued, “My piece of bread only belongs to me if everybody has a piece to eat. Nobody has to starve while I eat and that’s the way I want to feel the rest of my life.”
Q closed his statement by adding a final bit of wisdom. “When it rains, get wet. Live your life, baby, and live it real…They say you can’t get an A if you’re afraid of getting an F…I promise I hope to always live up to this honor…”
You can read E! Online’s coverage of the event here and check out BET.com’s Humanitarian Award page here and its audiobook feature, with tributes to Quincy from Rick Ross, Trina, Michelle Williams, Ryan Leslie, and The Game, here.