Vanessa Brantley Newton presents the Sid Fleischman Award for Humor to Crystal Allen for "The Magnificent Mya Tibbs"

Vanessa spoke movingly of how, as a child with dyslexia, she wishes she could have had Crystal Allen books to read.

Crystal thanked the Lord, her family, agent, editor, and then, touchingly, her character Mya Tibbs: "For teaching me to walk the walk, not just talk the talk." She describes getting to know her character (who loves country music) and how she herself didn't like it... until she realized she hadn't given it a chance.

It's touching, and funny, and so fitting as she accepts the Sid Fleischman Award for Humor!