Home • Red Carpet ESSENCE's Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige ESSENCE's Queen of the Night: Mary J. Blige By Essence · Updated October 29, 2020 01 Guest of Honor Mary J. Blige arrives to be honored as the first recipient of Essence’s Black Women in Music Award. Jennifer Cooper 02 Share My World Mary J. and her husband, Kendu, smile for the cameras. Jennifer Cooper 03 The Chairman Island/Def Jam Chairman, L.A. Reid, arrives to present Mary J. Blige with her Black Women in Music Award. Jennifer Cooper 04 Purple Reign Gabrielle Union came through to show her love for Mary J. Jennifer Cooper 05 Over-the-Shoulder Union takes a moment to pose for the cameras. Jennifer Cooper 06 Sisterly Love Mary J. Blige arrives and gets a warm hug from Taraji P. Henson. Jennifer Cooper 07 Shoulder-to-Shoulder Mary J. poses alongside Taraji P. Henson. Jennifer Cooper 08 All-Black Everything Actress Taraji P. Henson arrives on the red carpet at the Black Women in Music celebration. Jennifer Cooper 09 All Smiles Actress Tatyana Ali stopped to pose on the red carpet. Jennifer Cooper 10 Up Close and Personal Actress Tatyana Ali attends the ESSENCE Black Women in Music event at the Sunset Tower Hotel on January 27, 2010 in West Hollywood, California. Jennifer Cooper 11 Lovely Ledisi Ledisi arrives to honor Mary J. Blige at the Black Women in Music celebration. Jennifer Cooper 12 Bronzed Melanie Fiona arrives in style to salute Mary J. Jennifer Cooper 13 Songstress Kelly Price was in the house to celebrate Mary J. Jennifer Cooper 14 In Harmony Singers Anthony and Tarsha Hamilton stop on the red carpet at Essence’s Black Women in Music celebration. Jennifer Cooper 15 Grecian Goddess Lalah Hathaway arrives to celebrate with Mary J. Jennifer Cooper 16 Fresh-Faced Actress Jurnee Smollett strikes a pose on the red carpet. Jennifer Cooper 17 The Elements Earth, Wind & Fire bassist, Verdine White, arrives on the red carpet. Jennifer Cooper 18 Gospel’s Finest One of gospel music’s finest, Ann Nesby, was thrilled to show her support for Mary J. Jennifer Cooper 19 Perfect Smile Kim Coles attends the Essence Black Women in Music event at the Sunset Tower Hotel. Jennifer Cooper 20 Shimmer Actress Elise Neal came out to celebrate Mary J. Blige. Jennifer Cooper 21 Subtle Smile Melyssa Ford strikes a pose on the red carpet. Jennifer Cooper 22 Black Girls Rock! Mary J. poses with DJ Beverly Bond. Jennifer Cooper 23 Fun Times Mary J. celebrates with Joy Bryant and Essence.com’s own Emil Wilbekin. Jennifer Cooper 24 Luda & Gabby Ludacris and Gabrielle Union pose for the cameras. Jennifer Cooper 25 Reunited 50 Cent gets a hug from his “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” co-star, Joy Bryant. Jennifer Cooper 26 Hold Tight Kelly Price shares an intimate moment with Mary J. Jennifer Cooper 27 Soul Sisters Mary J. gives Ledisi a squeeze. Jennifer Cooper 28 Madame Taylor Essence Beauty & Cover Director, Mikki Taylor, was on-hand to celebrate with Mary J. Blige. Jennifer Cooper 29 Side-by-Side Actresses Joy Bryant and Gabrielle Union pose together at the Black Women in Music celebration. Jennifer Cooper 30 Music Women DJ Kiss arrives to celebrate with Mary J. Jennifer Cooper 31 For You Island/Def Jam Chairman, L.A. Reid, presents Mary J. Blige with her Black Women in Music Award. jennifer Cooper 32 Many Thanks Mary J. embraces L.A. Reid after accepting her Black Women in Music Award. Jennifer Cooper 33 Honored Blige addresses the crowd and expresses her sincere thanks for the love and support. Jennifer Cooper 34 Top Honors Mary J. Blige displays her award as she poses with L.A. Reid, Essence Editor-in-Chief, Angela Burt-Murray, and Essence President, Michelle Ebanks. Jennifer Cooper 35 All Smiles Actress Kim Coles and Earth, Wind & Fire bassist, Verdine White, smile for the cameras. Jennifer Cooper 36 Sisters in Song Ledisi poses alongside Kelly Price. Jennifer Cooper 37 Like a Lady Taraji P. Henson takes a seat for the festivities. Jennifer Cooper 38 Michelle and Melanie Essence President, Michelle Ebanks, shares a moment with Melanie Fiona. Jennifer Cooper 39 Head Housewife in Charge NeNe Leakes came out to celebrate with Mary J. Jennifer Cooper 40 Anchorwoman Shaun Robinson stopped through to show some love for Mary J. Jennifer Cooper 41 Congrats Rolanda Watts congratulates Mary J. on her honor. Jennifer Cooper 42 Queen of the Night Simply, Mary J. Jennifer Cooper 43 337341 44 337501