Continuing a decades-old promise of loving Black women deeply, entertainment legends, icons, and rising stars gathered at the 18th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Awards, on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, hosted by producer and star of Prime Video’s Cross, Aldis Hodge, celebrating the women who are transforming the television and film industry with their stories, impact and undeniable influence.
This year’s slate of coveted honorees included:
- Cynthia Erivo, Emmy, GRAMMY, Tony winner, and 3x Oscar-nominated actress and singer
- Teyana Taylor, Multifaceted, award-winning actress, singer, and creative lead
- Marla Gibbs, Industry veteran, Emmy-nominated actress, producer, and writer
- Raamla Mohamed, Emmy-nominated creator, writer, and executive producer of Reasonable Doubt
Here’s a glimpse of can’t miss moments from the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Awards:
- The star-studded event opened with surprise remarks from political correspondent Joy Reid, who emphasized the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in storytelling and across society.
- Each honoree received heartfelt presentations that highlighted the depth of their careers in the entertainment industry, featuring remarks from Issa Rae (honoring Raamla Mohamed), Niecy Nash-Betts (honoring Teyana Taylor), Keke Palmer (honoring Cynthia Erivo), and Tichina Arnold (honoring Marla Gibbs).
- Tyra Banks was awarded the inaugural ESSENCE Luminary Spotlight, recognizing her journey of resilience, longevity, and significant impact on the industry. She addressed her commitment to evolving and creating new opportunities to expand visual storytelling for Black women.
- In a poignant tribute to those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires,Jotaka Eaddy, Founder of Win With Black Women, took the stage for a powerful moment of reflection and perseverance, honoring the community and celebrating the strength of Altadena and Pasadena.
- Apple TV+’s highly anticipated Number One on the Call Sheet debuted the trailer of the two-part documentary, featuring some of Hollywood’s biggest stars revealing their journeys to game-changing leading.
The event drew a constellation of notable celebrities, from esteemed actors and directors to music moguls and fashion icons, including:
- Taraji P. Henson, Oscar-Nominated Actress, Entrepreneur, Author
- Zoë Kravitz, Actress, Director, Filmmaker
- Tyla,Grammy Award-WinningSinger
- Lori Harvey, Model, Actress, and Entrepreneur
- Natasha Rothwell,Actress and Producer
- Storm Reid, Actress and Producer
- Laverne Cox, Actress and Activist
- Coco Jones, Singer
- Meagan Good, Actress
- Tia Mowry, Actress and Entrepreneur
- Jodie Turner-Smith, Actress
- Marsai Martin, Award-Winning Actress
- Danielle Brooks, Academy Award-nominated actress, Grammy Award Winner
- Muni Long, Singer and Songwriter
- Skai Jackson, Actress
- Anthony Anderson, Emmy-nominated Actor, Comedian
- And many more!
The awards ceremony pre-show will premiere on ESSENCE’s YouTube channel on Monday, March 3rd at 7PM EST and 8PM EST, giving viewers 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.