'A journey to justice': Ben Crump stirs celebrity crowd while being honored at Grio Awards

TaMaryn Waters, Tallahassee Democrat
·3 min read
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Civil rights attorney Ben Crump brought a star-studded audience of Black celebrities and leaders to their feet with his call to action while being honored as a justice icon at TheGrio Awards this weekend in Los Angeles.

His four-minute speech drew praise on social media from followers and influencers, some saying his words were powerful and inspiring.

Crump — dubbed "Black America's Attorney General" who's represented families in the racially charged death cases involving George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others — evoked the words from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"Dr. King concluded that there comes a time when one must take a position that's neither popular nor politically correct or not even safe," Crump said. "But that being said, there comes a time when we must take a position because their conscience tells them it is the right thing to do.

"I submit to you at the first annual Grio awards that it is the right thing to do to stand up for our children's future."

The Crump Chronicles:

Crump, 53, was among several celebrities honored for making major contributions to the Black community through business, comedy, film, television and sports, among other areas.

The first-ever event is the brainchild of media mogul Byron Allen, owner of TheGrio, which was previously the Tallahassee-headquartered Black News Channel before it was purchased by the Allen Media Group and renamed earlier this year.

During his speech, Crump talked about how he'd get calls from Allen after filing a lawsuit.

Back story:

Byron Allen, Ben Crump and Tyrese Gibson pose during the first annual Byron Allen Presents TheGrio Awards, honoring icons, leaders and legends who have made a major impact in the Black community.
Byron Allen, Ben Crump and Tyrese Gibson pose during the first annual Byron Allen Presents TheGrio Awards, honoring icons, leaders and legends who have made a major impact in the Black community.

If Crump filed a lawsuit for $100 million, Crump said, Allen would say he needed to add another zero to the number.

"I understand so much of what Byron is saying because it really is about raising the value of Black life in America," said Crump, triggering applause and cheers.

Crump, talking as if he were preaching from the pulpit, grew more impassioned as he talked. He urged the audience and all those listening to fight for "our children's future" and the importance of what's at stake if they don't do more for the Black community.

"We have to be willing to fight for our children's future until hell freezes over, and then we got to be ready to fight on the ice," Crump continued.

Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump during TheGrio honoring icons, leaders and legends who have made a major impact in the Black community.
Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump during TheGrio honoring icons, leaders and legends who have made a major impact in the Black community.

In an interview with the USA TODAY Network, Crump said he was humbled to be a part of the first class of honorees and how the recognition was a greater incentive to "continue my mission to fight for liberty and justice for all."

"I hope and pray the speech will be seen as a call to action for us to continue to make issues of civil rights and social justice paramount in American society," he said. "It’s a journey to justice.”

Contact TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com or follow @TaMarynWaters on Twitter. 

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Ben Crump stirs celebrity crowd with fiery speech during Grio Awards