denzel washington said he was a gentle man who opened doors which had been closed for years. spike lee said he was a proud, dignified, handsome and strong black man, a gamechanger who impacted lives with a positive force. and the director steve mcqueen said, with his caribbean heritage and american birth, sidney poitier was an icon to the black diaspora. he was someone to be proud of, he was someone who dared, he was someone to love and he was someone to cherish. i m joined now by the film director, screenwriter and actress kasi lemmons. she directed the tribute for sidney poitier s honorary oscar. many things forjoining us. he was one of the greats and acting. what did he mean to you? i the greats and acting. what did he mean to you? the greats and acting. what did he mean to you? i mean, i think one of the first performances mean to you? i mean, i think one of the first performances i