Los Angeles, CA– I was incredibly honored to be invited to cover the 18th annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles. The event serves as an essential platform to recognize the achievements and contributions of Black women in Hollywood. It’s a space where actresses, directors, creators, and influential figures in television and film get the spotlight they truly deserve.
This year’s ceremony was particularly special, not just because of the incredible talent being celebrated, but also because of its timing—just days before the Oscars. The Oscars are widely regarded as the pinnacle of achievement in film and television, yet as many of us know, it has long struggled with issues of diversity and representation. Despite the progress made by the #OscarsSoWhite movement, the reality remains: Black talent is often overlooked in favor of their white counterparts.
So, it was refreshing to see Essence continue to place Black women front and center in an industry where, historically, they’ve had to work three times as hard to earn recognition. While the Oscars may still largely center the achievements of white actors and filmmakers, the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards take the opportunity to amplify voices that are so often left in the margins.
This year’s event highlighted some truly incredible women whose work spans various corners of the entertainment world. The honorees included Cynthia Erivo, a powerhouse with an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award, alongside three Oscar nominations. Teyana Taylor, a multi-talented creative who has excelled as an actress, singer, and director, was also honored, as well as the legendary Marla Gibbs, an Emmy-nominated actress and producer who has shaped television over several decades. Raamla Mohamed, the Emmy-nominated creator and writer of Reasonable Doubt, was another shining star to be celebrated.
What struck me most about the event wasn’t just the star power, but the overwhelming sense of solidarity among Black women. These women were celebrated not just for their accomplishments, but for breaking barriers in an industry that has not always embraced them.
I couldn’t help but reflect on a recent incident at the Grammys, where 13-time Grammy-winning legend Babyface was treated dismissively by a journalist in the middle of a live interview. It sparked outrage, and rightly so, as Babyface deserved nothing less than full respect. At Essence, it was the opposite. The energy was genuine and the interactions felt authentic. There was no rush, no underappreciation—just Black excellence celebrated by media in the way it should be.
The inaugural award show be streamed on Essence’s YouTube channel on March 3rd, giving fans a front-row seat to the celebration of Black talent and the stories that shape our world.
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the full red-carpet pre-show on Essence’s YouTube channel, where you can see more of these empowering moments unfold. Here’s to celebrating Black women every day, not just at award ceremonies, but in all the spaces where our voices deserve to be heard.
Read More: A Must-See Celebration: Watch The Entire ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards
