Janet Jackson Named Top Entertainer

By Elizabeth Darst

Wednesday March 13, 2002 01:00 PM EST

Superstar Janet Jackson, 35, was given the highest honor by the National Association of Black-Owned Broadcasters on Friday night in Washington, D.C., when she was named "Entertainer of the Year," reports PEOPLE. "I believe that one of the greatest treasures we have as a people is the freedom to express ourselves and the opportunity to share that expression. Thank you NABOB for giving artists like me the opportunity and the means to share our work, my work," Jackson said after her longtime producer Jimmy Jam presented her with the award. She also took the opportunity to acknowledge her role model growing up, a teacher named Mrs. Vaughn. "She was our tutor and she taught me a great deal," Jackson explained. "She was like a second mother to me." Other honorees included blues guitarist Bo Diddley, Radio One founder Cathy Hughes, opera soprano Leontyne Price and R&B veterans The Isley Brothers. As guests polished off plates of tiramisu, Patti LaBelle took the stage, wearing a cleavage-bearing green sequin dress. LaBelle performed "The World's Greatest," an R. Kelly song written about Muhammad Ali, and ended her set with "The Lord's Prayer," leaving audience members and the mistress of ceremonies, "The Parkers" actress Mo'Nique, choking back tears.

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