Kelly Rowland To Host ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards

Grammy Award-winning singer Kelly Rowland will host ESSENCE’s 12th annual Black Women in Hollywood Awards. This year’s event, held on February 21 ahead of the 2019 Academy Awards, will celebrate actresses who are making their indelible mark on Hollywood through their art and their activism. The 2019 Black Women In Hollywood honorees are KiKi Layne, Jenifer Lewis, Regina Hall, and Amandla Stenberg — all women who truly embody this year’s event theme, The Power of Our Presence: Art & Activism. Rowland said she couldn’t wait to join the celebration at one of the most anticipated Oscar-weekend events, saluting Black women in Hollywood. “I’m so honored to host this year’s ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards and shine a light on four exceptional women for their art and social activism,” the singer said in a statement. “With this phenomenal Oscar-week celebration, ESSENCE creates a special place that elevates the beauty, power and magic of Black women.” If you can’t wait to see Rowland at the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, she’ll next be seen on the small screen, starring as Gladys Knight in BET’s upcoming American Soul, premiering Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET.