Sheryl Lee Ralph Sheds Tears and Sings in Powerful Speech for First Emmy Win for 'Abbot Elementary'

etonline.com:

co-star, Janelle James, as well as Alex Borstein (Hannah Einbinder (Kate McKinnon (and 's Sarah NilesJuno Temple andHannah Waddingham.Ralph serenaded the crowd while accepting her award — her first Primetime Emmy Award in a career spanning over five decades — onstage at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles during the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Singing Dianne Reeves' «Endangered Species,» Ralph delivered a statement with her song before motivating the audience with a beautiful speech filled with hope and gratitude.«To anyone that has ever, ever had a dream and though your dream, wasn't, wouldn't, couldn't, come true, I am here to tell you that is what believing looks like,» Ralph said, beginning her impassioned acceptance speech. «This is what striving looks like.»She continued, «And don't you ever, ever give up on you, because if you get a Quinta Brunson in your corner, if you get a husband like mine in your corner, if you get children like mine in your corner, and if you've got friends like everybody who voted for me, cheered for me, thank you!

Thank you! Thank you!»Ralph held up her Emmy in victory to the applause and screams from the crowd, who gave the actress a standing ovation.

Created by and starring Quinta Brunson, the critically acclaimed ABC series following a group of dedicated and passionate teachers -- and a slightly tone-deaf principal — at a Philadelphia public school came out the gates with aces across the board for the Primetime Emmys, earning nods in the top categories, including Outstanding Comedy Series.