Clearly the most inspirational event that I have had the pleasure to photograph has been the Image Awards. It's hard to explain the joy of being in the same space with African American stars from all arenas brought together to celebrate achievement and excellence.

My first opportunity to photograph the show was in 1996. Thanks to the wonderful support of Kweisi Mfume.

I will never forget Maggie Hathaway who co-founded the Image Awards with Sammy Davis, Jr. and was a fixture at NAACP events until she died in 2001. To say that Maggie was feisty is an understatement. I certainly miss her.