On Thursday, a number of celebrities joined Rihanna at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City for her 5th Annual Diamond Ball.
The event, which benefits the singer’s Clara Lionel Foundation, honored Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and activist Shaun King.
Celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion, Rapsody, Normani, Cardi B, and Kehlani walked the red carpet for the event, but it was the event’s founder who stole the show with her message to Black women. Speaking with ESSENCE on the red carpet, Rihanna called Black women “impeccable” and “special.”
“I’m a Black woman. I come from a Black woman, who came from a Black woman, who came from a Black woman and I’m going to give birth to a Black woman,” she said.
“My mother is an incredible example of how to fight through obstacles in life. I’m sure her mom taught her that and that’s how I’m going to be. We are impeccable, we’re special and the world is going to have to deal with that.”
The Clara Lionel Foundation provides funds for programs that improve the quality of life, healthcare and education for those in impoverished communities.
Rihanna launched the Diamond Ball in 2014. That year she told ESSENCE, “One of the greatest benefits of my job was being able to start the Clara Lionel Foundation in honor of my grandparents. There is truly nothing I’m more proud of and we’ve just gotten started.”