Source: Phylicia J. L. Munn / Phylicia J. L. Munn
Issa Rae received the key to the city of Inglewood, California on Sunday.
She is the first person to be awarded with the honor in the entirety of the city’s history.
Los Angeles was a very busy place this weekend as the stars came out of woodworks for Super Bowl weekend.24 hours before the hometown Los Angeles Rams won the NFL championship, one of LA’s own was gaining a piece of history herself. Right across SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, California, the Taste of Inglewood Experience was popping off. The three day food and concert festival provided visitors with local food, spirits and surprise visit from Issa Rae.
The writer/producer extraordinaire was there to accept the honor of being the first to have the city’s key in Inglewood’s 114-year history. Inglewood’s Mayor James T. Butts gave her the crystal key of Inglewood for her work in Insecure. From The Dunes to the streets of La Brea Drive, Issa Rae made sure to showcase each and every corner of the city. The show’s entire five year run featured the city of Inglewood for all it’s beauty.
Kirsten Chuba of The Hollywood Reporter first reported and recorded her winning speech.
I’m a little emotional. I’m trying to be a thug right now.
The mayor really kind of flabbergasted me in that this is the first key in 114 years, so that’s a huge honor.
I just want to thank you all so much for your support — thank you to the mayor, thank you to the city of Inglewood for making it so easy for us to film here, for helping us showcase this city that I love that so much.
I have to give love to my grandparents who have lived here, have lived in Briarwood for a long time and who established my first point of view of Inglewood and love the city themselves; my mom and my sister who live here actively and just for being here.
This honor is coming off the heels of her announcement as the new recipient of the 2022 Visionary Award from the Producers Guild.
The Visionary Award honors producers across television, film or new media who share inspiring, uplifting stories that add unique value to society and culture. Past winners of the award include Octavia Spencer, Kenya Barris and Ava DuVernay. During the key ceremony Mayor James T. Butts praised Issa as a “living legend” and “the queen of Inglewood”.
Many know that Issa has been a rising star for a long time ever since her first showing as an Awkward Black Girl. Issa Rae’s continued success will constantly inspire others to reach for the stars. She has created mentorship programs like ColorCreative and Project Greenlight. She is a great example of betting on yourself for things truly pay off.
Followers of Insecure kind of knew this was coming. Issa’s character in the show daydreamed herself winning the key to the city of Inglewood in the show’s final season. Issa’s character in the show was also an organizer primed and ready to showcase her and the city’s talents.
