Will Smith presented wife Jada Pinkett Smith with the Power Award at the very first Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2008.
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.
Beyond the Lights director Gina Prince-Bythehood was honored with the Visionary Award at the 2nd annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon.
The iconic actress was honored with the Legend Award at the 2nd Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2009.
Queen Latifah was honored with the Power Award at the 3rd Annual Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2010.
Saldana was honored with the Star to Watch Award at the 3rd Annual Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2010.
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.
Sidibe was honored with the Breakthrough Performance Award at the 3rd Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon.
Davis was honored at the 4th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2011.
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!”
The iconic actress was honored at ESSENCE’s 2011 Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.
Spencer was honored with the Breakthrough Performance Award at the 5th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood event in 2012.
Patton was honored with the Shining Star Award at ESSENCE’s 5th Annual Black Women in Hollywood event in 2012.
Washington accepts her Vanguard Award at ESSENCE’s 5th Annual Black Women in Hollywood event in 2012.
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.
Shonda Rhimes was honored with the Visionary Award at ESSENCE’s 5th Annual Black Women in Hollywood event in 2012.
Woodard was honored at the 6th annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon in 2013.
Wallis accepted the Breakthrough Performance Award award at the 6th annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon in 2013.
The British actress received the Lincoln Shining Star award at the 6th annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon in 2013.
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.
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.
Selma director Ava DuVernay was honored with the Visionary award at the 7th annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon in 2014.
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.
King was honored with the Fierce and Fearless award at the 8th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in 2015.
The cast of Orange Is the New Black was honored at the 8th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood awards in 2015.
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.
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.
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.
BWIH 2016