Michael B. Jordan broke down in front of a star-studded crowd as he accepted the American Film Archive Award at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, reflecting on his journey from budding talent to respected filmmaker and actor.
The 38-year-old “Tenet” star received the honor from longtime collaborator Ryan Coogler following a series of heartfelt tributes from his peers, including Ben Affleck, Mahershala Ali, Tessa Thompson, Octavia Spencer, Bradley Cooper, Delroy Lindo and Daniel Kaluuya.
Kaluuya paused the festivities to request a moment of silence for late “Black Panther” co-star Chadwick Boseman, who had his Hollywood Walk of Fame star unveiled earlier in the day.
Jordan’s 13-minute speech was filled with gratitude and emotion as he reflected on his career and the people who helped shape it.
“I look around the room and see the people who have been there from the beginning, with prayers, support and faith,” Jordan said, according to Gold Derby. “Some of them are not here tonight, but their fingerprints are all over the foundation. Their work, their faith – it’s all baked into it. Watching you do this for me, I realize I don’t have to pull up a chair to someone else’s table. I can have my own table. I can have my own house. More importantly, I can build a community.”
The Fruitvale Station actor, one of the youngest ever recipients of the Cinematheque Award, talks about forging his own path and making space for others.
“I stand on the shoulders of giants and my ancestors. Build the house and they will come,” he said. He quoted author Toni Morrison as saying, “If there’s a book you really want to read that hasn’t been written, then you have to write it.”
He concluded with this message to creatives and decision-makers in the industry: “So, to artists: plant your seeds, find your people, build with them. And to those who decide what stories to tell: be bold, take risks. These stories matter.”
The American Film Archive Award is presented annually to an individual who has had a lasting impact on the art of film. Past winners include Jessica Chastain, Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds, Scarlett Johansson, Spike Lee and Eddie Murphy.
