1 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Mary J. Blige arrives to be honored as the first recipient of Essence’s Black Women in Music Award.
2 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Mary J. and her husband, Kendu, smile for the cameras.
3 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Island/Def Jam Chairman, L.A. Reid, arrives to present Mary J. Blige with her Black Women in Music Award.
4 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Gabrielle Union came through to show her love for Mary J.
5 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Union takes a moment to pose for the cameras.
6 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Mary J. Blige arrives and gets a warm hug from Taraji P. Henson.
7 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Mary J. poses alongside Taraji P. Henson.
8 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Actress Taraji P. Henson arrives on the red carpet at the Black Women in Music celebration.
9 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Actress Tatyana Ali stopped to pose on the red carpet.
10 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Actress Tatyana Ali attends the ESSENCE Black Women in Music event at the Sunset Tower Hotel on January 27, 2010 in West Hollywood, California.
11 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Ledisi arrives to honor Mary J. Blige at the Black Women in Music celebration.
12 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Melanie Fiona arrives in style to salute Mary J.
13 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Kelly Price was in the house to celebrate Mary J.
14 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Singers Anthony and Tarsha Hamilton stop on the red carpet at Essence’s Black Women in Music celebration.
15 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Lalah Hathaway arrives to celebrate with Mary J.
16 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Actress Jurnee Smollett strikes a pose on the red carpet.
17 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Earth, Wind & Fire bassist, Verdine White, arrives on the red carpet.
18 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
One of gospel music’s finest, Ann Nesby, was thrilled to show her support for Mary J.
19 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Kim Coles attends the Essence Black Women in Music event at the Sunset Tower Hotel.
20 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Actress Elise Neal came out to celebrate Mary J. Blige.
21 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Melyssa Ford strikes a pose on the red carpet.
22 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Mary J. poses with DJ Beverly Bond.
23 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Mary J. celebrates with Joy Bryant and Essence.com’s own Emil Wilbekin.
24 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Ludacris and Gabrielle Union pose for the cameras.
25 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
50 Cent gets a hug from his “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” co-star, Joy Bryant.
26 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Kelly Price shares an intimate moment with Mary J.
27 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Mary J. gives Ledisi a squeeze.
28 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Essence Beauty & Cover Director, Mikki Taylor, was on-hand to celebrate with Mary J. Blige.
29 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Actresses Joy Bryant and Gabrielle Union pose together at the Black Women in Music celebration.
30 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
DJ Kiss arrives to celebrate with Mary J.
31 of 44 jennifer Cooper
Island/Def Jam Chairman, L.A. Reid, presents Mary J. Blige with her Black Women in Music Award.
32 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Mary J. embraces L.A. Reid after accepting her Black Women in Music Award.
33 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Blige addresses the crowd and expresses her sincere thanks for the love and support.
34 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
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.
35 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Actress Kim Coles and Earth, Wind & Fire bassist, Verdine White, smile for the cameras.
36 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Ledisi poses alongside Kelly Price.
37 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Taraji P. Henson takes a seat for the festivities.
38 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Essence President, Michelle Ebanks, shares a moment with Melanie Fiona.
39 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
NeNe Leakes came out to celebrate with Mary J.
40 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Shaun Robinson stopped through to show some love for Mary J.
41 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Rolanda Watts congratulates Mary J. on her honor.
42 of 44 Jennifer Cooper
Simply, Mary J.
43 of 44
44 of 44
You may like
-445x297.jpg)
Get The Essence Newsletter and Special Offers delivered to your inbox!