*Thursday in Beverly Hills, ca. Essence held their 12th annual “Black Women in Hollywood” luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
The event honors the global influence of Hollywood’s leading female artist-activists. Hosted by Kelly Rowland, this year’s event celebrated “black-ish” star Jenifer Lewis, “Girls Trip” star Regina Hall, “If Beale Street Could Talk” actress KiKi Layne and “The Hate U Give” star Amandla Stenberg.
The theme of the day was the “Power of Our Presence,” which was illustrated by the star-studded turnout to celebrate black women. Attendees included Oscar nominee Regina King, Octavia Spencer, Angela Bassett, Spike Lee to Diddy, Beyonce’s mom, Tina Knowles-Lawson and more.
EURweb’s Jill Munroe spoke with Sherri Shepherd, writer-actress Robin Thede, Queen Sugar’s Dawn-Lyn Gardner and Love Is actor Will Catlett about what it means to celebrate black women.
For Thede, it was her first time attending the event. “It’s an amazing event. Now more than ever, it is important to celebrate black women and the things we do. The honorees are incredible. “
Jennifer Lewis used time while receiving her award to address – without naming – the Jussie Smollett situation. While on the red carpet, she had ” no comment” about the situation, she ended her speech with a song to express her feelings.
“Before you lie to us, remember Rosa sat on that bus / Before you tell your tale, remember Mandela sat in that jail / Before you do anything, remember Dr. Martin Luther King / Before you connive and steal, I dare you to google Emmett Till,” Lewis sang, before turning back to her speaking voice. “Before another dawn, after this mess, before another dawn, and I speak to everyone, remember whose shoulders you stand on.”
EURweb attended the luncheon with event sponsor Ford, who presented their new campaign featuring Angela Bassett, #WELEAD.
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