In a dazzling display of glitz, glamour, and sisterhood, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles hosted ESSENCE’s 17th annual Black Women in Hollywood awards. A star-studded event that brought together icons from both in front of and behind the camera, the luncheon celebrated Black women’s profound impact and inspiration on the entertainment industry.
This year’s honorees, including Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and Kathryn Busby, were joined by a constellation of stars, creating an atmosphere of selfies and sisterhood that made this gathering the highlight of awards season.
Among the luminaries in attendance were Zendaya, Tina Knowles, Leticia Wright, Yvonne Orji, and director Millicent Shelton, all present to pay homage to the significant contributions of Black women in entertainment.
Click here to watch all of the red carpet interviews.
Actress Gabrielle Dennis, known for her role in “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” reflected on the significance of longevity in Hollywood, saying, “I feel like single longevity gives hope. It gives hope for the future babies that watch… there’s an opportunity for me to get out there and not give up hope. And that’s why I think it’s beautiful that Essence does these events, where it celebrates us. It gives us a moment to let our shoulders back and be like, we’ve been beaten over the head a lot, right? As Black women, and especially in this industry, sometimes, it’s beautiful to come to a space where it’s like, hey, let’s lift each other up.”
Lex Scott Davis, star of “Ricky Stanicky” and the upcoming “Suits: Los Angeles,” expressed her gratitude for being a part of the event, stating, “I am so fulfilled already. And I just got here; I’m just seeing all these beautiful people, these iconic gowns, and everyone looks stunning. I’m happy to be able to share the same space, room, and table as these ladies who have always been inspired by and have always watched, as well as some that I’ve been following for so long. And we know each other through the internet. And now I get to see them in real life, celebrate each other, and give each other our flowers. So I’m honored to be here.”
The empowering conversations continued with actress Yvonne Orji, sports journalist Cari Champion, and other influential figures, making ESSENCE’s 17th annual Black Women in Hollywood awards an unforgettable celebration of talent, resilience, and sisterhood in the entertainment industry.
To catch all of the festivities from this year’s event, tune in on Friday, March 15th, at 9/8c on OWN, and stream on Max.
MORE NEWS AT EUR: Learn More About the 2024 Honorees
Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-bred entertainment journalist, producer, and host. Listen to her live, weeknights, 9 PM-Midnight on KBLA Talk 1580. You can follow her on all social media @StilettoJill or check out JillMunroe.com
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
