Acclaimed Actress, Viola Davis, Will Attend 28th Annual Rhode Island Tourism Unity Luncheon
RISBJ Staff | Apr 25, 2013
Providence, RI – Viola Davis, a Rhode Island native and award-winning film, television and theatre actress, will attend the 28thAnnual Rhode Island Tourism Unity Luncheon on May 8, 2013, at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, RI, to receive the Rhode Island “Making a Difference” Award.
The theme of this year’s event is “Making a Difference,” illustrating how many people make an impact on Rhode Island’s tourism industry. Davis will speak at the event, as well as receive an award for her contribution to art and culture tourism in the state.
“We are thrilled that Academy Award Nominee Viola Davis will be attending the Tourism Luncheon and accepting our statewide award,” said Rhode Island Director of Tourism Mark Brodeur. “Her continued support of the fine arts and culture that thrive in Rhode Island continues to drive awareness of this great asset and help the tourism industry grow.”
Davis, who grew up in Central Falls, RI, and attended Central Falls High School, graduated from Rhode Island College in 1988 as a theatre major before going on to study at the Julliard School in New York. In 2002, Rhode Island College presented her with an honorary doctorate in fine arts.
Starting in theatre, Davis earned a Tony and Drama Desk Award for her role in King Hedley. She won a second Drama Desk Award for Intimate Apparel and a second Tony and third Drama Desk Award for Fences.
Davis also has played roles in several films, including Traffic, Antwone Fisher, Solaris and, most recently, The Help – for which she earned two Screen Actors Guild awards for lead actress and best ensemble in a motion picture, a BAFTA Award nomination, an Academy Award nomination, and a Golden Globe nomination.
She was inducted into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2009 and will be receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this year. Davis was listed as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World and as Glamour Magazine’s Film Actress of the Year, both in 2012.
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