To watch the full show, click the player above to turn on the sound.
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Previously produced as a star-studded invite-only luncheon and building on over a decade of providing platforms to ensure Black women “receive their flowers” for their many contributions to Hollywood and global culture, the 14th annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards returned as a virtual experience open to the public for the first time ever. Boasting a fitting theme of “Mastering Our Stories,”this year’s event highlighted the resiliency of Black women in Hollywood through the years—including during the unprecedented pandemic.
Since 2008, the highly-anticipated Oscar week experience has honored a total of 65 Black actresses, directors, producers, writers, costume designers and more, unapologetically spotlighting some of the most renowned and accomplished women at the forefront of the film, television and creative industries. This year’s stellar roster of honorees included:
WHOOPI GOLDBERG
EGOT WINNER, PRODUCER & ENTREPRENEUR
CYNTHIA ERIVO
GRAMMY, EMMY & TONY AWARD-WINNING and OSCAR-NOMINATED ACTRESS, SINGER & PRODUCER
ZENDAYA
EMMY AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS & PRODUCER
MICHAELA COEL
WRITER, ACTRESS & SHOWRUNNER
ANDRA DAY
GOLDEN GLOBE WINNER, OSCAR-NOMINATED ACTRESS &
GRAMMY-NOMINATED SINGER
Actress, producer and 2015 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood honoree Laverne Cox hosted the virtual ceremony, with actress Storm Reid hosting the event red carpet and Andra Day performing. Presenters included: comedian/actress Leslie Jones, actor Yahya Abdul Mateen II, activist Tarana Burke and director Kasi Lemmons. The show aslo included honoree tributes from a host of notable voices including: Michael B. Jordan, Janelle Monae, Daniel Kaluuya, Chloe & Halle Bailey, Billy Porter, Danielle Brooks, Danny Glover, Margaret Avery, Colman Domingo, Joy Behar, Donald Glover, Algee Smith, Barbara Broccoli, Natasha Lyonne, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines and Meghan McCain.
Check out the video above to see everything you missed!
The ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards are presented by Ford and sponsored by American Airlines, Coca-Cola, Korbel and L’Oréal Paris.