ESSENCE has announced the honorees for its 18th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards. The highly anticipated event is set for Thursday, February 27th, during Oscar week, at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel, a luxury Los Angeles landmark. Celebrating the trailblazers of the past and the visionaries of the future, this year’s nominees represent the brilliance of Black women in television and film, and the richness of the Black experience. They also embody ESSENCE’s heartfelt message: “We Love Us.
The honorees include: Emmy, Grammy, Tony winner and Oscar nominee, actress/singer, Cynthia Erivo (Wicked); award-winning actress/ singer/dancer Teyana Taylor; veteran actress, producer and writer, Marla Gibbs (The Jeffersons), and Emmy-nominated creator, writer, and executive producer, Raamla Mohamed (Reasonable Doubt). The afternoon will be hosted by actor Aldis Hodge, producer and star of Alex Cross (Prime Video).
For nearly two decades, the ESSENCE has held this special celebration honoring Black women in television and film, bringing their vital contributions in the face of constant obstacles, into the spotlight. As the industry continues to evolve—navigating challenges created by to the pandemic, managing the impact of the writers’ strikes, and dealing with the current devastation of the Los Angeles wildfires— Black women in Hollywood have stood firm.
Inspiring the 2025 theme, “Scene and Unseen,” the event is a call to recognize the often overlooked Black female storytellers that shape the entertainment industry and beyond. The ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards transcend the screen and remind us of our collective strength when we share our truths and our gifts.
Weaving past, present and future into a platform that affirms the contributions of Black women, ESSENCE is committed to creating pathways for generations of honorees by ensuring they have the support they need.This year’s Black Women in Hollywood Awards carry even greater significance as we honor the strength of our industry and community united in the face of catastrophic wildfires. Join Essence and blackfilm.com in supporting the critical relief efforts for Altadena, Pasadena and surrounding areas. These families need your support.
Catch the awards ceremony pre-show premiering on ESSENCE’s YouTube channel on Monday, March 3rd, with an exclusive look at red-carpet arrivals, celebrity interviews, and revealing the winner of the inaugural ESSIES’ Choice Award: Presented by Diet Coke®. This special honor, chosen by fans, shines a light on an emerging industry luminary who inspires a shared creative journey.
Sponsors for the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards include Apple TV+, with cocktails courtesy of official whisky sponsor Crown Royal, alongside Diet Coke®, smartwater®, and Prime Video. The show is produced in partnership with MVD Inc.
On Friday, February 28th, also check out the sixth annual ESSENCE Hollywood House: To Altadena With Love. This year’s event, sponsored by AT&T, Diet Coke®, smartwater®, and Warner Bros. Television Group, focuses on celebrating the artistry of Black creatives, while bringing attention to their struggles and perspectives that have long been overlooked.
ESSENCE Hollywood House: To Altadena With Love is open to the public and extends invitations to aspiring filmmakers, actors, and enthusiasts in the TV and film industry to join a day filled with networking, panel discussions, skill-building activities, mentoring, and more from established female filmmakers and actors of color. Join in on the conversation at Instagram, X, Facebook, and YouTube. For more information or to register, please visit ESSENCE.com/hollywood-house-2025. Virtual attendees can stream the day’s events online at ESSENCE.com.
RELATED: The 17th Annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood® Awards Celebrated the Achievements of Actresses Danielle Brooks and Halle Bailey, and Hollywood Power Brokers Nkechi Okoro Carroll and Kathryn Busby
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