Her daughter Rhonda Ross Kendrick presented her with the award “not just for women, not just for black folk, not just for singers, actors, performers and entrepreneurs who want to forge our own destiny, but for all of us!” Ross tearfully accepted by saying, “This is all about love, This is my family and I’m sending love out there to each and everyone one of you—our global family. I’m so humbled. I love you so very much and I think you know that. I really, really love you so very much and I will hold onto this beautiful honor. Thank you.” The evening’s festivities were a family affair — Diana’s daughter and star of ABC’s black-ish, Tracee Ellis Ross, hosted the event. PEOPLE got a chance to catch up with the actress before her hosting gig on Sunday night to talk about what it meant to see her mom perform at the event, as well as receive the award. RELATED VIDEO: ICYMI: The Best Moments From the 45th American Music Awards “She’s a bit of an international treasure in my opinion,” Tracee said. “I’m excited that a younger generation gets to witness that, even just through the television screen. Also I think it’s a really extraordinary thing to honor somebody who’s had such an everlasting career, whose music has touched lives in such a poignant and special way. Music reaches into your heart, and my mom’s voice has been a part of people’s lives for a long time.” Diana’s career has been one for the record books. She is a seven-time American Music Award winner, two-time host of the AMA’s, a 12-time Grammy nominee and received the Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement award in 2012. After it was announced back in October that the former Supremes star would receive that AMA’s Lifetime Achievement award, Diana emphasized what it meant to her to receive the special honor. “I have endless memories of all the years that I have appeared on the American Music Awards,” Ross said in a statement. “It started with Dick Clark & The Caravan of Stars and American Bandstand. It was Dick Clark who said, ‘Music is the soundtrack of our lives.’ So true. I am so excited to be receiving this honorable award.” This article originally appeared on People.Ain't No Mountain too high for @DianaRoss & her family! HUGE Congratulations on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award! #MsROSSxAMAs #AMAs pic.twitter.com/I5hve4TmCT
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) November 20, 2017