Jesse Williams of Grey's Anatomy Receives Humanitarian Award at 2016 BET Awards

Actor and activist Jesse Williams didn't hold back when accepting the Humanitarian Award at the 2016 BET Awards Sunday evening.

Before taking to the stage to deliver a passionate speech, the Grey's Anatomy star received a video tribute as well as several kind words from BET Chairwoman and CEO Debra Lee.

"Tonight's honorary has been a tireless champion of change, and a voice for the voiceless," she shared with the crowd. "Jesse Williams is the essence of a modern civil rights legend in the making. And a true pioneer of our new generation of leaders."

Without further ado, Williams stepped on stage where he thanked his wife and his parents for all their love. He also gave credit to the unsung heroes who work day after day to make a difference.

"Now, this award, this is not for me, this is for the real organizers all over the country, activist civil rights attorneys, the parents, the teachers, the students who are realizing that a system built to divide and impoverish and destroy us cannot stand if we do. All right?" he explained. "It's kind of basic mathematics, the more we learn about who we are and how we got here, the more we will mobilize."

Williams continued, "Now, this is also in particular for the black women who have spent their lifetime dedicated to nurturing everyone before themselves, we can and will do better for you."