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VIDEO: Diahann Carroll Talks Civil Rights and MLK on MSNBC

In case you missed it, the amazing Diahann Carroll appeared on MSNBC's PoliticsNation with Al Sharpton on Tuesday nght. The actress reflected on her six decades in entertainment and her trailblazing role in NBC's Julia. The series ran from 1968 to 1971 and debuted in the Top Ten. It was one of the first television weekly series "to depict an African American woman in a non-stereotypical role." Julia also marked the first time that a Black actress lead a dramatic network television series.

"I really didn't think about [the historical significance] then," Ms. Carroll admits. "When I heard all of the accolades that came along with the part, I was thrilled about that ... But later, I became aware of the fact that it had made quite a statement. And it made me very proud."

It would be another 38 years until a Black woman starred in a network television series. That actress is Scandal's Kerry Washington. Ms. Carroll presented Ms. Washington with the NAACP Image Award's President's Award for special achievement last Friday.

Diahann Carroll reflects on her former friend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and the civil rights movement AFTER THE JUMP ...

Kerry Washington's Amazing NAACP Image Award Speech: VIDEOS

PHOTOS: GETTY

The big winner at the 44th Annual NAACP Image Awards: The fabulous Kerry Washington. The star of ABC's "Scandal" was a triple threat at the ceremony, picking up trophies for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for Scandal, Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for Django Unchained and the President's Award for special achievement and exceptional public service.

Kerry Washington's amazing acceptance highlighted her work for equality and President Obama. Watch it AFTER THE JUMP ...

Said the actress:

"I consider it an honor to be an advocate for the arts and to serve on [President] Obama's committee for arts and humanities because just as we must insure that 'We, the people' includes all Americans, regardless of race, class, gender and sexual orientation, we must also work to ensure that the stories we tell, the movies we produce, the television we produce, the theaters we stage, the novels we publish, are all inclusive in all those same ways."

Kerry Washington is the "first Black female lead on network television in 38 years." The President's Award was presented to Washington by actress Diahann Carroll who first broke that color barrier in 1968.

The complete winners list HERE.

Videos of all three acceptance speeches, the transcript of the big speech and a photos of "Olivia" and "Fitz" on stage AFTER THE JUMP ...

VIDEO, PHOTOS: Hundreds Bid Farewell to Icon Lena Horne

Hundreds of mourners paid their final respects to the late Lena Horne on Friday, gathering in a New York City church to celebrate the life of the legendary jazz singer, actress and civil rights icon. The iconic entertainer died Sunday at age 92.

More photos and video from the service WHEN YOU JUMP ...

The funeral mass was at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola on the city's Upper East Side. Ms. Horne, whose signature song was "Stormy Weather," was remembered as a shy girl from Brooklyn who fought racism for decades to emerge as a world-class singer and social activist.

The New York Times:

"In the pews were hundreds of mourners, among them Jessye Norman, Leontyne Price, Dionne Warwick, Lauren Bacall, Chita Rivera, Cicely Tyson (right), Vanessa Williams and Gov. David A. Paterson. Leslie Uggams said that Ms. Horne had been someone to look up to. “When my father reluctantly figured out that I was going to go in show business,” Ms. Uggams recalled outside the church, he said, 'I want you to be like Lena.'

The service began with a cello piece by Bach. Later, Audra McDonald performed an arrangement of 'This Little Light of Mine' and 'Amazing Grace,' and one of four speakers, Representative John Lewis of Georgia, said Ms. Horne had been 'a light, and she did shine. She did not give in. She did not give up. She did not give out.' Mr. Lewis said he had known Ms. Horne since the civil rights demonstrations of the 1960s."

Other trailblazers such as Chita Rivera, Diahann Carroll and Dionne Warwick were present. Their photos and video from the service WHEN YOU JUMP ...

In related news: On Friday, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced a resolution that passed unanimously, recognizing Ms. Horne's legacy as a Hollywood trailblazer and civil rights activist. President Obama's statement on Ms. Horne's passage can be read HERE. And at The Huffington Post: Irene Monroe remembers the icon as "more than skin deep".

Lena Horne: In Her Own Voice is scheduled to air on PBS  through May 23. The documentary also streams online.

Daughter Gail Lumet is above and the family gathers below. More photos and video WHEN YOU JUMP ...