jennifer-julia-pca

Jennifer Hudson was overcome with emotion while accepting the Favorite Humanitarian award from LL Cool J at

Wednesday’s 40th Annual People’s Choice Awards. With her sister Julia by her side, the 32-year-old Oscar winner was honored for the Julian D. King Gift Foundation, which was created in memory of her nephew.

The Chicago native spoke about giving back to the community and using her celebrity to make a positive difference.

“I have to start off saying the same thing I said when I won my Oscar—look what God can do!” said Hudson. “My mother always taught us that without family you have nothing, and whether you know it or not, we all are family, and what happens to the other happens to us, so it’s very important to make a difference.”

She dedicated the award to her mother and brother, who were murdered along with her nephew in 2008.

“We want to dedicate this to our mother, who taught us without family you have nothing, and my brother, who was the most giving,” said J-Hud.

Watch her moving speech below.