It was a day of unforgettable moments!
The 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, a dazzling celebration of Black excellence, took place on March 7, at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, CA. Hosted by the multi-talented Cliff “Method Man” Smith, the event honored remarkable individuals, including Academy Award-nominated actress Danielle Brooks, six-time Grammy-nominated singer Halle Bailey, acclaimed screenwriter Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and industry powerhouse Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming for STARZ.
Highlights from the event included the stunning red carpet appearances of Emmy Award-winning actress Zendaya and fashion legend Law Roach, as well as touching moments of Black love with couples like Joey Bada$$ and Serayah and BET’s Sistas actor Devale Ellis and wife Khadeen Ellis. Actresses Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry-Housley graced the carpet, offering a trip down memory lane for fans of their iconic show Sister, Sister.
The event featured a heartwarming speech from Halle Bailey, who shared that her greatest achievement was becoming a mother to her son, Halo. Honoree Danielle Brooks received a standing ovation after singing the gospel melody “I Won’t Complain” during her acceptance.
Closing the show was Grammy-winning artist Muni Long, who brought the crowd to its feet with her hit song, “Made for Me.”
The star-studded event drew notable celebrities such as Normani, Tina Knowles, Erika Alexander, Leslie Jones, Letitia Wright, Da’Vinci, Teyonah Parris, Skai Jackson, Aldis Hodge, Marsai Martin, Anthony Anderson, Gabourey Sidibe, Lance Gross, and many more.
To relive the magic, the 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Red Carpet and Awards Ceremony will air on Friday, March 15th, at 9/8c on OWN and stream on Max. Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration of Black excellence in the entertainment industry!
Cover photo: Highlights from the 17th Annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards / Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE