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Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon

ESSENCE's 9th annual Black Women in Hollywood luncheon is the pre-Oscar event to attend. The camaraderie in the room is magical. From Oprah to Shonda Rhimes, Zendaya to Kelly Rowland, Tinseltown's finest gathered to honor Debbie Allen, Tracee Ellis Ross and entertainment lawyer Nina Shaw. Go inside this exciting gathering.
By Whitney Gaspard ·
01
Oprah Winfrey and Kym Whitley

Oprah Winfrey and Kym Whitley are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Rich Polk/ Getty Images
02
Angela Robinson and Oprah Winfrey

Angela Robinson and Oprah Winfrey are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Rich Polk
03
Tia Mowry and Jurnee Smollett-Bell

Tia Mowry and Jurnee Smollett-Bell are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Credit: Imeh Akpanudosen / Stringer/ Getty Images
04
Keke Palmer and Margaret Avery

Keke Palmer and Margaret Avery are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/Rich Polk / Stringer
05
LeToya Luckett and Serayah McNeill

LeToya Luckett and Serayah McNeill are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Rich Polk / Stringer
06
DeVon Franklin and Meagan Good
DeVon Franklin and Meagan Good are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Imeh Akpanudosen / Stringer
07
Lorraine Toussaint and Shaun Robinson

Lorraine Toussaint and Shaun Robinson are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Imeh Akpanudosen / Stringer
08
Tika Sumpter, Holly Robinson, and Iyanla Vanzant

Tika Sumpter, Holly Robinson, and Iyanla Vanzant are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Rich Polk / Stringer
09
Ty Hunter and Amber Riley
Ty Hunter and Amber Riley are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/Rich Polk / Stringer
10
Keke Palmer, Bevy Smith and Miss Lawrence
Keke Palmer, Bevy Smith and Miss Lawrence are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Imeh Akpanudosen / Stringer
11
Thais Francis
Thais Francis speaks onstage at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/Earl Gibson III / Stringer
12
Zendaya

Zendaya inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Rich Polk / Stringer/ Getty Images
13
Channing Dungey and Nick Cannon

SVP, Drama Development at ABC Studios Channing Dungey and Nick Cannon are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Earl Gibson III / Stringer
14
Inside Black Women In Hollywood
Table decor at inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
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15
Nina Shaw

Honoree Nina Shaw celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images
16
Leon Bridges

Leon Bridges performs inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Rich Polk / Stringer/ Getty Images
17
Zendaya
Zendaya inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Rich Polk
18
Nicole Ari Parker, Boris Kodjoe, and Holly Robinson
Nicole Ari Parker, Boris Kodjoe, and Holly Robinson are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Rich Polk / Stringer/ Getty Images
19
Vanessa K. De Luca and Tracee Ellis Ross

Vanessa K. De Luca and Tracee Ellis Ross are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Rich Polk / Stringer/ Getty Images
20
Debbie Allen

Honoree Debbie Allen, Norman Nixon Jr., former NBA player Norm Nixon and Vivian Nixon are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Earl Gibson III / Stringer
21
Kelly Rowland and Lala Anthony

Kelly Rowland and Lala Anthony are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Imeh Akpanudosen / Stringer
22
Garcelle Beauvais and Oprah Winfrey

Garcelle Beauvais and Oprah Winfrey are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Rich Polk / Stringer
23
Holly Robinson and Evelyn Lozada
Holly Robinson, Evelyn Lozada and her daughter Shaniece Hairston are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Rich Polk / Stringer
24
Michelle Ebanks, Oprah Winfrey and Vanessa K. De Luca
President of Essence Communications Michelle Ebanks, Oprah Winfrey, and Editor-in-Chief of Essence Vanessa K. De Luca are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Jesse Grant / Stringer
25
Nicole Ari Parker and Bozoma Saint John
Nicole Ari Parker and Bozoma Saint John are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Rich Polk / Stringer
26
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey poses with guests are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Rich Polk / Stringer
27
Debbie Allen

Honoree Debbie Allen speaks onstage are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Earl Gibson III / Stringer
28
Shonda Rhimes and Zendaya

Shonda Rhimes and Zendaya are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Jesse Grant / Stringer
29
Rhonda Ross Kendrick and Tracee Ellis Ross
Sisters Rhonda Ross Kendrick and Tracee Ellis Ross share a beautiful moment onstage at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Earl Gibson III / Stringer
30
Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross speaks onstage are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Earl Gibson III / Stringer
31
Ty Hunter and Latham Thomas

Ty Hunter and Latham Thomas are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Rich Polk / Stringer
32
Estelle and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

Estelle and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Rich Polk / Stringer
33
Cheryl Boone Isaacs
Cheryl Boone Isaacs are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Rich Polk / Stringer
34
Numa Perrier and Emayatzy Corinealdi
Numa Perrier and Emayatzy Corinealdi are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
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35
Luvvie Ajayi
Luvvie Ajayi and guests are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Rich Polk / Stringer
36
Oprah Winfrey and Holly Robinson

Oprah Winfrey and Holly Robinson are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images
37
Cheryl Boone Isaacs and Debra Lee

CEO of BET Network Debra Lee and Cheryl Boone Isaacs are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Imeh Akpanudosen / Stringer
38
Bevy Smith, Shaun Robinson and Mara Brock Akil
Bevy Smith, Shaun Robinson and Mara Brock Akil are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Rich Polk / Stringer
39
Shaun Robinson, Bevy Smith and Mara Brock Akil
Shaun Robinson, Bevy Smith and Mara Brock Akil are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Rich Polk / Stringer
40
Holly Robinson, Iyanla Vanzant, and Evelyn Lozada
Holly Robinson, Iyanla Vanzant, and Evelyn Lozada are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Rich Polk / Stringer
41
Deborah Joy Winans
Deborah Joy Winans inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Imeh Akpanudosen / Stringer
42
Bevy Smith and Tia Mowry

Bevy Smith and Tia Mowry are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Getty Images/ Imeh Akpanudosen / Stringer
43
Tina Lawson and Debra Lee
Tina Lawson and Debra Lee are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Michael Rowe
44
Erica Campbell
Erica Campbell inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Michael Rowe
45
Wendy Raquel Robinson

Wendy Raquel Robinson inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Michael Rowe
46
Kahlana Barfield and Kelly Rowland
Kahlana Barfield and Kelly Rowland are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Michael Rowe
47
Shonda Rhimes and Debbie Allen
Shonda Rhimes and Debbie Allen are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Michael Rowe
48
Miss Lawrence
Miss Lawrence inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Michael Rowe
49
Latham Thomas and Emil Wilbekin

Latham Thomas and Emil Wilbekin are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Michael Rowe
50
LeToya Luckett
LeToya Luckett inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Michael Rowe
51
Evan Ross and Tia Mowry-Hardrict
Evan Ross and Tia Mowry-Hardrict are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Michael Rowe
52
Kahlana Barfield
Kahlana Barfield inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Michael Rowe
53
Luvvie Ajayi and Necole Kane
Luvvie Ajayi and Necole Kane are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Michael Rowe
54
Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross snaps a picture with a group of beautiful young ladies inside the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Michael Rowe
55
Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Michael Rowe
56
Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross stands to accept her award at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Michael Rowe
57
Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross and family are inside celebrating a beautiful moment at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
Michael Rowe
58
Swag!

And we’re still swooning over the awesome goodies sponsors Lincoln Moto Company, L’Oreal, Colgate, AT&T and Geico added to the #blackwomeninhollywood gift bag that was wonderfully curated by Gift Bags By Rachael!

Everything That Went Down At the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
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