Houston and Chase then obtained the rights to the story of Dorothy Dandridge . Houston was to play Dandridge , the first African American actress to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress . Houston wanted the story told with dignity and honor . However , Halle Berry also had rights to the project and got her version going first . Later that year , Houston paid tribute to her idols , such as Aretha Franklin , Diana Ross , and Dionne Warwick , by performing their hits during the three-night HBO Concert '' Classic Whitney : Live from Washington , D.C. '' . The special raised over $ 300,000 for the Children 's Defense Fund . Houston received the Quincy Jones Award for outstanding career achievements in the field of entertainment at the 12th Soul Train Music Awards
Classic Whitney : Live from Washington , D.C.
Classic Whitney: Live from Washington, D.C.
Whitney Houston