Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards
The 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards was held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills and broadcasted on OWN. Essence and OWN partnered to present the Black Women in Hollywood Awards in honor of women trailblazing their talents and breaking through barriers in Hollywood.
Oprah Winfrey opened the broadcast and welcomed Essence women to the event as well as Essence men. She said she was thrilled to be there and thrilled to air it on OWN. “Let’s just bask in each other’s achievements.” “We are each others wisdom source.”
The President of Essence, Michelle Ebanks and Sheri Salata the President of OWN took the stage to describe the importance of the awards and the partnership, followed by the first presenter, Diana Ross’ daughter, Rhonda Ross Kendrick.
Rhonda had the honor of presenting her sister Tracee Ellis Ross with the Fierce & Fearless Award. After a wonderful video highlighting Tracee’s career accomplishments, Rhonda called her sister to the stage to accept her Black Women in Hollywood Award. Tracee was struggling with a very bad case of laryngitis but managed to push through. She thanked her big sister as well as her brothers in the audience. She also asked her father to stand up and take a bow, because everyone just knows her as Diana Ross’ daughter. She also thanked Essence for showing the world, “Our texture and beauty.”
“Remember we are glorious and powerful and more than enough.”
Tracee ended her acceptance speech with, “Thank you Essence for helping me to celebrate my humanity.”
Nick Cannon and ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey were next to present the Lincoln Power Award to high-powered entertainment attorney Nina Shaw. After the video that described her distinguished career, Nick Cannon said, “It is with immense admiration that I present the Power Award to Nina Shaw.” Nina came from behind the stage to accept her Black Women in Hollywood Award and thanked Essence and OWN for the honor. She also thanked the people she worked with by saying, “I stood up for you, but I was able to do so because you stood up for me.”
She said we have to ask ourselves if it’s OK for your representatives to put a team in place that only has one or two people of color. “You must pose the uncomfortable question.” “If you want to be a woman who is empowered, empower other women.”
She concluded her powerful acceptance speech by saying, “My message is, use your own power to be the change you want to see. Thank You.”
Actress Meagan Good presented the next award. The Essence Discovery Award went to filmmaker Thais Francis. She mentioned her home of Trinidad and said she was incredibly grateful for her career and the honor. She also thanked her mother and father and Essence for creating the Black Women in Hollywood Award platform.
Zendaya was the next presenter. She introduced the performance by Leon Bridges of Brown Skinned Girl.
Multi-talented actress, producer, and director; the incomparable Debbie Allen was the next honoree. Debbie was awarded the Legend Award. Shonda Rhimes presented this award.
Shonda named Debbie’s many directing accolades and also mentioned that she got on her hands and knees and begged Debbie to director for her, and said Debbie is now the director of Grays Anatomy.
Debbie’s career highlights video showed a full and vibrant career. Debbie received a standing ovation and then came to the stage to accept her Black Women in Hollywood Award. “I am truly touched and emotionally moved by this moment in the sun.” She thanked her husband Norman Nixon, her son Norm, and her muse her daughter Vivian who was in tears. She mentioned that the world she was born into was filled with prejudice, but she worked to overcome the ceilings. She said, “Pledge allegiance to the birth canal.” Women are, “The fiercest gang on this planet.” She thanked Essence, OWN, Shonda and the audience for, “This wonderful moment in the sun that can really last a long time. Thank you.”
Young Gifted and Black, a youth singing group closed the show with Beautiful.
The 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards was a beautiful tribute to the honorees, and next year’s awards ceremony promises to be another stellar event.
Tanya Hart
