Star Gazing: Inside The 19th Annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Ceremony
Hollywood gathered at the Fairmont Century Plaza as ESSENCE honored a new class of influential women in film and television.
Chase Infiniti at the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards Ceremony held at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Deadline via Getty Images)
The 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood event is available to stream on ESSENCE’s YouTube starting Saturday, March 14: Watch Here
On Thursday, the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles filled with some of the most influential voices in entertainment as the 19th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood ceremony brought the industry together for a night of recognition and reflection. The annual gathering has long served as a moment to spotlight the women shaping film and television, and this year’s celebration continued that tradition while capturing the evolving power of Black women across the business.
Hosted by Marsai Martin, the evening honored a group of women whose work continues to influence the direction of storytelling on screen. Actress Chase Infiniti, producer and activist Kerry Washington, stage and screen veteran LaTanya Richardson Jackson, and producer Zinzi Coogler were recognized for their contributions to the industry and the cultural impact of their work. The program also included a Luminary Spotlight honoring the women behind the film Sinners, acknowledging the creative forces who helped bring the project to life.
The 2026 theme, Off Script, reflected the moment the industry now finds itself in. Black women are taking on larger creative roles, stepping into positions where decisions about production, financing, and ownership are made. The ceremony highlighted how many are shaping projects from concept to completion while opening doors for the next generation of filmmakers and performers.
The room itself reflected the scale of the celebration. Figures such as Zendaya, Teyana Taylor, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Chlöe and Halle Bailey, Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, Aldis Hodge, and Tyriq Withers, among several others, were in attendance; with musical performances from Mýa and Tyrese. Inside the ballroom and across the carpet, the night offered a clear picture of the talent and influence gathered under one roof.
Take a look inside the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood ceremony.
The women of ‘Sinners.’
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Honorees Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Shunika Terry-Jennings, Ruth E. Carter, and Zinzi Coogler speak onstage during the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan speak onstage during the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Mýa performs onstage.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Mýa performs onstage during the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
eyana Taylor and Honoree Chase Infiniti
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Teyana Taylor and Honoree Chase Infiniti attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Olly Sholotan and Akira Akbar
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Olly Sholotan and Akira Akbar attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Honoree Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Honoree Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo speak onstage during the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Tyriq Withers, Kerry Washington and Chase Infiniti
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Tyriq Withers, Kerry Washington and Chase Infiniti attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Marsai Martin and Tyrese Gibson
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Marsai Martin and Tyrese Gibson perform onstage during the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Aldis Hodge and Samantha Walkes
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Aldis Hodge and Samantha Walkes attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Lynae Vanee
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Lynae Vanee attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Olandria Carthen and Serena Page
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Olandria Carthen and Serena Page attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Aldis Hodge, Holly Robinson Peete, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Inga Beckham
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Aldis Hodge, Holly Robinson Peete, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Inga Beckham attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Honoree LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Jurnee Smollett
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Honoree LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Jurnee Smollett attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Jeanette Jenkins, Jurnee Smollett, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Elisa Johnson, Cookie Johnson, Lela Rochon and Tonya Winfield attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Chelley Bissainthe, Halle Bailey, Ryan Destiny, Serena Page and Chlöe Bailey
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Chelley Bissainthe, Halle Bailey, Ryan Destiny, Serena Page and Chlöe Bailey attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Durand Bernarr
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Durand Bernarr attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Yvonne Orji
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Yvonne Orji attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Cynthia Bailey and Eva Marcille
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Cynthia Bailey and Eva Marcille attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Halle Bailey, Tyriq Withers and Chlöe
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Halle Bailey, Tyriq Withers and Chlöe attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Zendaya and Coco Jones
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Zendaya and Coco Jones attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Sheryl Lee Ralph
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Sheryl Lee Ralph attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
LeToya Luckett
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: LeToya Luckett attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Skye P. Marshall
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Skye P. Marshall attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Delroy Lindo
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Delroy Lindo speaks onstage during the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Mýa
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Mýa attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Boris Kodjoe
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Boris Kodjoe attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Ryan Coogler and Zinzi Coogler
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Ryan Coogler and Zinzi Coogler attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Kara Young, Aleshea Harris and Erika Alexander
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Kara Young, Aleshea Harris and Erika Alexander attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Jessica Betts and Niecy Nash-Betts
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Jessica Betts and Niecy Nash-Betts attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Tia Mowry
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Tia Mowry attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Marsai Martin
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Marsai Martin attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Mona Scott-Young
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Mona Scott-Young attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
The Bailey Sisters
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Chloe Bailey and Halle Bailey attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Honoree LaTanya Richardson Jackson
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: LaTanya Richardson Jackson attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Kyla Pratt
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Kyla Pratt attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
