The 18th annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards is set to celebrate the impact and artistry of Marla Gibbs, Cynthia Erivo, Teyana Taylor, and Raamla Mohamed as this year’s honorees. The prestigious event kicks off a weekend of Oscars programming, recognizing Black women who have made significant contributions to film and television.
Hosted by Aldis Hodge (Cross), the ceremony takes place Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. This year’s theme, “Scene and Unseen,” calls attention to the creative visionaries who often shape the industry without widespread recognition.
A legend whose career spans multiple decades, Gibbs has cemented her place in television history with five Emmy nominations and eight NAACP Image Awards for her work on The Jeffersons and 227. Most recently, she appeared in the current season of Will Trent, in an episode that premiered earlier this year.
A three-time Oscar nominee, Erivo adds to her long list of accolades as an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning performer. Her latest project, Wicked, has earned her multiple nominations across all major awards this season. Taylor, a multi-hyphenate talent in music and film, has a packed slate of upcoming projects, including a directorial debut, Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest feature, and Ryan Murphy’s upcoming series, All’s Fair.
Mohamed, an Emmy-nominated writer and the creator/executive producer of Hulu’s Reasonable Doubt, is also celebrating the show’s renewal for a third season.
Essence will also premiere a special red carpet pre-show on Monday, March 3, via its YouTube channel, where the ESSIES’ Choice Award—a fan-voted honor highlighting an emerging industry luminary—will be announced.
Beyond the awards, Essence is deepening its community impact by supporting Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts, with a focus on the historically Black neighborhood of Altadena, as well as Pasadena and surrounding areas.
On Friday, Feb. 28, the sixth annual Essence Hollywood House returns with the theme “To Altadena With Love.” This public event invites aspiring filmmakers, actors, and industry creatives for a day of networking, panel discussions, skill-building workshops, and mentorship opportunities. Attendees can also stream the day’s programming on Essence.com.
From honoring industry icons to providing access and opportunity for the next generation, Essence Black Women in Hollywood continues to be a defining moment in celebrating Black excellence in entertainment.