Nia Long celebrates family, faith and legacy as she receives Hollywood Walk of Fame star

The actress used her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony to honor her mother, her sons and the generations of family who helped shape her journey.

Nia Long has spent more than three decades becoming one of the most recognizable faces in Black film and television. But as she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Wednesday, the actress made it clear that the honor belonged to more than just her.

Surrounded by her mother, Talita Long, and her sons, Massai Dorsey II and Kez Udoka, Long used the milestone to celebrate the family and faith that have grounded her throughout her career.

“This star is just as much for me as it is for my mother, because she’s the one who brought us here,” Long previously told Variety, recalling her childhood and the years she spent walking down Hollywood Boulevard with her mother.

During the ceremony, Long reflected on her family’s sacrifices and the humble beginnings that preceded her Hollywood success. She recalled her mother driving an RTD bus while raising her and described the difficult circumstances they faced in South Central Los Angeles.

“I remember the hard days living in South Central L.A. when you drove the RTD bus and I was a latchkey kid,” Long said. “Money was scarce and opportunities to thrive seemed to pass us by.”

The actress also made a point of recognizing the generations of women who helped shape her.

“This isn’t about me,” Long said. “It is a culmination of generational grit and generational commitment.”

That sentiment carried through the ceremony, where Long described herself not simply through her accomplishments but through her relationships.

She called herself “a mother, a daughter, a friend, a storyteller, a writer, a director, a producer, and a voice for my community.”

The moment marked the culmination of a career that includes “Boyz n the Hood,” “Friday,” “Love Jones,” “Soul Food,” “The Best Man” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Long most recently portrayed Katherine Jackson in “Michael.”

For Long, however, the star appears to represent something much bigger than a career achievement: a tangible reminder of where she came from and the people who helped her get there.