ESSENCE is setting the tone for awards season once again.
The brand has announced that Kerry Washington, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Zinzi Coogler, and Chase Infiniti will be recognized at the 2026 Black Women in Hollywood ceremony, taking place Thursday, March 12 at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel.
Now in its nineteenth year, the annual event has become a key marker of influence during entertainment’s biggest weekend — honoring Black women whose contributions shape film and television across performance, production, and executive leadership. It’s where established power players and the next wave of decision-makers share the same room.
This year’s theme, Off Script, reflects a visible shift in how Black women are moving through Hollywood. Think expansion beyond traditional titles, deeper creative control, and a stronger emphasis on ownership that lasts well beyond a single project. The 2026 class of honorees embodies that change across generations and disciplines.
Kerry Washington’s honor highlights her ability to maintain a dynamic on-screen career while consistently building opportunities behind the camera for other storytellers.
LaTanya Richardson Jackson is recognized for a decades-spanning body of work across stage and screen, paired with a commitment to community and the preservation of craft.
Zinzi Coogler’s work as a producer and founder of Proximity Media continues to prove how intentional leadership can shape projects that resonate both culturally and critically.
And Chase Infiniti is being celebrated as part of a new guard entering the industry, recognized for breakout performances and a rapidly growing footprint.
Luminary Spotlight: Women of Sinners
The ceremony will also feature a special Luminary Spotlight celebrating the women of Sinners, recognizing their collective achievement following the film’s historic standing as the most Academy Award–nominated film of all time. Honorees in that moment include Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Hannah Beachler, Jayme Lawson, Ruth E. Carter, Shunika Terry-Jennings, Wunmi Mosaku, and Zinzi Coogler — a powerful reminder of the creative force operating at every level of the production.
smartwater® returns as a sponsor, with MVD Inc back for its fifth consecutive year as producing partner alongside ESSENCE.
For those watching from home, the official pre-show will stream on ESSENCE’s YouTube channel, featuring red-carpet arrivals, interviews, and the presentation of the ESSIES’ Choice Award, as well as the inaugural Creators’ Award presented by smartwater®. Nominees are selected by the ESSENCE editorial team, with the final winner chosen by newsletter subscribers.
More than a celebration, Black Women in Hollywood continues to serve as a temperature check for the industry — spotlighting who is doing the work, who is building power, and who is redefining what leadership looks like in real time.