ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Awards
Black women who are considered entertainment legends, icons, and rising stars all came together for the 18th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Awards. Held on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, the star-studded evening was hosted by Aldis Hodge, the producer and star of Prime Video’s Cross. The event paid tribute to the incredible women shaping the
television and film industry through their compelling storytelling, cultural impact, and undeniable influence.
Celebrating This Year’s Honorees
This year’s prestigious honorees included:
• Cynthia Erivo — Emmy, GRAMMY, and Tony winner, and three-time Oscar-nominated actress and singer
• Teyana Taylor — Award-winning actress, singer, and creative visionary
• Marla Gibbs — Industry veteran, Emmy-nominated actress, producer, and writer
• Raamla Mohamed — Emmy-nominated creator, writer, and executive producer of Reasonable Doubt
Unforgettable Moments from the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Awards
The evening featured numerous memorable highlights, including:
• A powerful opening speech by political correspondent Joy Reid, who underscored the necessity of diversity, equity, and inclusion in storytelling and broader society.
• Heartfelt tributes for each honoree, featuring emotional presentations by Issa Rae (honoring Raamla Mohamed), Niecy Nash-Betts (honoring Teyana Taylor), Keke Palmer (honoring Cynthia Erivo), and Tichina Arnold (honoring Marla Gibbs).
• The inaugural ESSENCE Luminary Spotlight award, presented to Tyra Banks in recognition of her enduring impact, resilience, and commitment to expanding visual storytelling for Black women.
• A moving tribute led by Jotaka Eaddy, Founder of Win With Black Women, honoring those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires and celebrating the strength of the Altadena and Pasadena communities.
• The exclusive trailer debut of Number One on the Call Sheet, Apple TV+’s highly anticipated two-part documentary spotlighting Hollywood’s most groundbreaking Black actors.
A Night of Star Power
The event attracted an impressive roster of esteemed actors, directors, musicians, and fashion icons, including:
• Taraji P. Henson — Oscar-Nominated Actress, Entrepreneur, and Author
• Zoë Kravitz — Actress, Director, and Filmmaker
• Tyla — GRAMMY Award-Winning Singer
• Lori Harvey — Model, Actress, and Entrepreneur
• Natasha Rothwell — Actress and Producer
• Storm Reid — Actress and Producer
• Laverne Cox — Actress and Activist
• Coco Jones — Singer
• Meagan Good — Actress
• Tia Mowry — Actress and Entrepreneur
• Jodie Turner-Smith — Actress
• Marsai Martin — Award-Winning Actress
• Danielle Brooks — Academy Award-Nominated Actress, GRAMMY Award Winner
• Muni Long — Singer and Songwriter
• Skai Jackson — Actress
• Anthony Anderson — Emmy-Nominated Actor and Comedian
• And many more!
Exclusive Broadcast Details
You can catch all the glamour and excitement as the awards ceremony pre-show premieres on ESSENCE’s YouTube channel on Monday, March 3rd at 7 PM EST and 8 PM EST. The broadcast will feature exclusive red-carpet arrivals, in-depth celebrity interviews, and the reveal of the inaugural ESSIES’ Choice Award: Presented by Diet Coke®, a fan-voted honor recognizing an emerging industry luminary inspiring creative excellence.
Acknowledging the Event’s Partners
The 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards was made possible through the generous support of Apple TV+, with cocktails courtesy of official whisky sponsor Crown Royal, alongside Diet Coke®, smartwater®, and Prime Video. The event was produced in collaboration with MVD Inc.
With its commitment to celebrating the trailblazing women shaping Hollywood, the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Awards continues to serve as a beacon of inspiration, empowerment, and excellence.
