Tyler Perry is ensuring that he gets his point across. Last night (June 23), while receiving his Ultimate Icon Award at the 2019 BET Awards, Perry delivered a motivational acceptance speech.

During his speech, Perry explained that he sought to create films that reminded his mother and every woman of their worth. “She’s worthy, to let black women know you are worthy, you are special, you are powerful, you are amazing,” Perry said.

Back in 2006, Perry created the “Tyler Perry Studios” in Atlanta. He recalled building his company from the ground up because he saw the bigger picture.

“When I built my studio, I built it in a neighborhood that is one of the poorest black neighborhoods in Atlanta so that young black kids could see that a black man did that, and they can do it too,” he explained. “I was trying to help somebody cross. The studio was once a Confederate Army base, which meant that there was confederate soldiers on that base, plotting and planning on how to keep 3.9 million Negroes enslaved. Now that land is owned by one Negro.”

Throughout his career, Perry recognized the value in helping others to succeed. He explained that regardless of the continuous drama in the media industry, he has remained focus on his goal of becoming successful.

“It’s all about trying to help somebody cross,” Perry reasoned. “While everybody else is fighting for a seat at the table, talking about ‘#OscarsSoWhite, #OscarsSoWhite,’ I said, ‘Y’all go ahead and do that. While you’re fighting for a seat at the table, I’ll be down in Atlanta building my own.’ Because what I know for sure is that if I could just build this table, God will prepare it for me in the presence of my enemies.”

Listen to Tyler Perry’s inspirational acceptance speech below.