Angela Bassett will be honored as a Legacy Honoree at the BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit in 2026, as the organization marks 20 Years of Power celebrating Black women who have shaped — and continue to shape — industries across the globe.
The Honorary Academy Award recipient and Emmy-winning actress is being recognized for her enduring impact across film, television, and the business of entertainment. Bassett will be honored in front of a room filled with influential women leaders, acknowledging more than three decades of groundbreaking work as an actress, director, and executive producer.
Bassett’s career spans generations, with unforgettable performances in films such as What’s Love Got to Do with It, Waiting to Exhale, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and Black Panther. On television, she continues to lead as both star and executive producer of 9-1-1, earning critical acclaim and multiple awards along the way. Her body of work has garnered Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, and an Honorary Oscar — milestones that reflect both cultural impact and industry excellence.
She joins a distinguished group of 2026 Legacy Honorees, including Carla Harris, senior client advisor at Morgan Stanley; Shellye Archambeau, advisor, author, and former CEO of MetricStream; Roz Brewer, interim president of Spelman College; and Bennie Wiley, board director at BNY Mellon Mutual Funds and CBIZ. Together, the honorees represent leadership and influence across business, education, finance, and the arts.
The Summit will also recognize Luminary Honorees, celebrating the next generation of Women of Power whose leadership spans multiple sectors. This year’s Luminary recipients include Shelly Cayette-Weston, president of business operations for the NBA’s Hornets Sports & Entertainment; Jotaka Eaddy, founder and CEO of Full Circle Strategies; and Sandra Douglass Morgan, president of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Beyond the honorees, the 2026 Women of Power Summit will feature dynamic panel discussions, keynote conversations, and fireside chats, alongside professional development workshops and networking opportunities designed to equip women with tools for growth, leadership, and long-term impact.
As BLACK ENTERPRISE celebrates two decades of the Women of Power Summit, Bassett’s recognition feels especially fitting — honoring a career defined by excellence, longevity, and influence that continues to open doors for generations to come.