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Home · ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood

Black Excellence: A Look Back At All of ESSENCE's Black Women in Hollywood Honorees

Each February, since 2008, ESSENCE has hosted an exclusive pre-Oscars soiree to honor the best and brightest Black women in Hollywood. From Diahann Carroll to Cecily Tyson, Oprah Winfrey to Lupita Nyong'o, the annual luncheon is that time of the year where we can celebrate the women who illuminate positive images of us, on-screen or behind-the-scenes. As we gear up for the 10th annual soiree on February 23, we're taking a look back at all our honorees through the years.

By Yolanda Sangweni · January 25, 2016October 27, 2020
01
Jada Pinkett Smith

Will Smith presented wife Jada Pinkett Smith with the Power Award at the very first Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2008.

02
Halle Berry and Taraji P. Henson

Halle Berry and Taraji P. Henson were both honored at the 2nd annual Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2009. Berry received the Power Award and Henson the Star To Watch award.

Getty Image
03
Gina Prince-Bythehood

Beyond the Lights director Gina Prince-Bythehood was honored with the Visionary Award at the 2nd annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon.

Hiltron Bailey
04
Diahann Carroll

The iconic actress was honored with the Legend Award at the 2nd Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2009.

05
Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah was honored with the Power Award at the 3rd Annual Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2010.

queen latifah, black women in hollywood luncheon
06
Zoe Saldana

Saldana was honored with the Star to Watch Award at the 3rd Annual Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2010.

Jennifer Cooper
07
Mary J. Blige
Blige was honored as Songstress of the Year at the Third Annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in 2010.
Jennifer Cooper
08
Cecily Tyson

The iconic actress silenced the audience with a profound speech as she accepted the Legend Award at the 3rd Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in 2010.

09
Gabourey Sidibe

Sidibe was honored with the Breakthrough Performance Award at the 3rd Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon.

Jennifer Cooper
10
Viola Davis

Davis was honored at the 4th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2011.

11
Loretta Devine

Devine was honored at the 4th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2011. Her notes for aspiring actresses: “Be on point! Be on time!”

Jennifer Cooper
12
Angela Bassett

The iconic actress was honored at ESSENCE’s 2011 Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Jennifer Cooper
13
Jennifer Hudson
Hudson brought a special guest when she was honored at the 4th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2011.
14
Octavia Spencer

Spencer was honored with the Breakthrough Performance Award at the 5th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood event in 2012.

15
Paula Patton

Patton was honored with the Shining Star Award at ESSENCE’s 5th Annual Black Women in Hollywood event in 2012.

16
Kerry Washington

Washington accepts her Vanguard Award at ESSENCE’s 5th Annual Black Women in Hollywood event in 2012.

17
Pam Grier

Nichelle Nichols helps honoree Grier on to the stage to accept her Legend Award at the 5th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood event in 2012.

18
Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes was honored with the Visionary Award at ESSENCE’s 5th Annual Black Women in Hollywood event in 2012.

19
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union
Getty Images/Steve Granitz
20
Alfre Woodard

Woodard was honored at the 6th annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon in 2013.

Steve Granitz/WireImage
21
Quvenzhané Wallis

Wallis accepted the Breakthrough Performance Award award at the 6th annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon in 2013.

Michael Rowe
22
Naomie Harris

The British actress received the Lincoln Shining Star award at the 6th annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon in 2013.

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
23
Oprah Winfrey

Winfrey brought several graduates of The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa when she was honored with the Power Award at the 6th annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon in 2013.

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
24
Lupita Nyong’o

The 12 Years a Slave star was honored with the Best Breakthrough award at the 7th annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon in 2013.

Michael Rowe
25
Ava DuVernay

Selma director Ava DuVernay was honored with the Visionary award at the 7th annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon in 2014.

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
26
Cheryl Boone Isaacs

Oprah Winfrey and Sidney Poitier congratulate Motion Picture Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs (right) who was honored with the Trailblazer award for her leadership in the film on stage at the 7th annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood luncheon in 2014.

Michael Rowe
27
Regina King

King was honored with the Fierce and Fearless award at the 8th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2015.

Tommaso Boddi
28
The Cast of “Orange Is the New Black”

The cast of Orange Is the New Black was honored at the 8th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood awards in 2015. 

29
Gugu Mbatha-Raw

The Belle and Beyond the Lights star received the Lincoln Breakthrough of the Year award at the 8th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2015. 

Michael Rowe
30
Ruth E. Carter

The legendary costume designer (Selma, Being Mary Jane, Malcolm X, and many more) was honored with the Visionary award at the 8th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2015.

EW
31
BWIH 2016

At the 2016 Black Women in Hollywood luncheon, Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross took home the Fierce & Fearless award, iconic director, producer and actress Debbie Allen was honored with the Legend award, and entertainment attorney Nina Shaw was presented with the Lincoln Power award.

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