(AllHipHop News) Queen Latifah urged students at Harvard University to “fight for what they believe in” as she revealed she was discouraged from her career by bosses at her agency.
The star was presented with the W.E.B. Du Bois medal from the prestigious institution on Wednesday (October 23rd) for her ongoing work into African & African American Research.
Collecting her medal, the 49-year-old took to the stage to deliver an inspiring speech, where the rapper/actress detailed the obstacles she faced early in her career.
“I feel so honored to be up here and among such great people who’ve done such accomplished things,” Queen Latifah, real name Dana Elaine Owens, said. “Crossing over from rap to film, the people at our agency told my (business partner Shakim Compere) I could never be an A-list artist. Wrong thing to tell him. He was determined to make sure I became an A-list actress.”
Revealing her unusual method of overcoming the challenges thrown at her by her career and Hollywood in general, she confessed: “I get in the backyard sometimes and I scream ‘Fight! Fight Fight!.”
“That’s me fighting for my life. Fighting against drugs and alcohol. Fighting against mental illness, fighting against racism, sexism, all of it. You’re gonna have to fight.”
The “Set It Off” star ended her speech by encouraging students to follow their ambitions, preaching: “‘I want to speak to all of you students out here, and let you know that you can be whatever you want to be if you put your mind to it, and you will have to work hard for it.
“You have to be strong, and be courageous, and know that if you believe in it, it’s gonna happen. Don’t give up. Do not give up. Do not quit. Fight for it.”
