At the 2025 BET Awards, Tyler Perry delivered a stirring and emotional speech centered on the erasure of Black history and the enduring importance of legacy. He opened with a moving story about walking on the beach with his young son, watching the boy make footprints in the sand—a powerful metaphor for making a lasting impact. “They’re trying to erase us, but we must keep leaving footprints,” Perry said.
He voiced concern over the increasing erasure of Black history from public discourse, citing examples like the removal of books from libraries, the stripping of Black pioneers’ names from buildings, and the exclusion of Black narratives from school curriculums. “They’re deleting our stories as if they never mattered,” he warned. Perry stressed that this erasure puts the future at risk: “If our children don’t know our history, they won’t know their power.”
Celebrating Black resilience and achievement, Perry highlighted how his work has contributed to economic empowerment in the community—stating that he’s helped create more Black millionaires than any other Hollywood studio. He reminded the audience that Black excellence has endured through slavery, segregation, and systemic inequality. “Our footprints are everywhere—even across the ocean, from Africa to America,” he declared.
In a heartfelt tribute, Perry honored Black women for their unwavering support, saying, “Black women have held me down. I appreciate you more than you know,” earning a standing ovation from the crowd.
Perry closed his speech with a passionate call to action: “This is not the time to back down. Dig in, double down, and leave footprints everywhere you go.” His words served as a powerful reminder of resistance, remembrance, and pride in Black heritage.
