Empire star 'Taraji P. Henson' declares African-American actors 'don't need to ask for acceptance from anyone'

The Empire star Taraji P. Henson (Cookie Lion) won a NAACP Image Award on Friday night and used her acceptance speech to sound a clarion call for the African-American acting community. 
 
Referencing the 'Oscarssowhite' controversy, the 45-year-old declared to her fellow black women who felt Oscar have neglected them by not recognising their works in Oscar awards,  'We don't need to ask for acceptance from ANYONE. WE are enough.'

The Empire star was named Outstanding Actress In A Drama Series at the ceremony that recognizes 'the accomplishment of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film.'