18th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards: A Night of Glamour & Gratitude

PublishedMarch 1, 2025

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 27: (L-R) Luvvie Ajayi, Cynthia Erivo, Jackée Harry, Ava DuVernay, Raven Bowens, Aisha Hinds and Lena Waithe attend the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Los Angeles, CA—The glitz, glamour, and undeniable power of Black women in entertainment took center stage at the 18th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Awards, held on Thursday, February 27, at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. Hosted by Aldis Hodge, the producer and star of Prime Video’s Cross, the event honored some of the most influential women transforming the entertainment industry with their talent, vision, and impact.

This year’s ceremony showcased a remarkable slate of honorees, including award-winning actress and singer Cynthia Erivo, multifaceted creative Teyana Taylor, industry veteran Marla Gibbs, and Emmy-nominated writer and producer Raamla Mohamed. These women represent the pinnacle of achievement in television, film, and beyond, setting a powerful example for future generations.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 27: (L-R) Teyana Taylor and Karen Civil attend the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

The evening kicked off with surprise remarks from political correspondent Joy Reid, who stressed the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in storytelling and society at large. Reid’s words set the tone for a night that not only celebrated individual accomplishments but also spotlighted the broader movement toward creating space for Black voices in Hollywood.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 27: Joy Reid speaks onstage during the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Each honoree was celebrated with heartfelt tributes from their peers. Issa Rae honored Reasonable Doubt creator Raamla Mohamed, while Niecy Nash-Betts paid tribute to the multi-talented Teyana Taylor. Keke Palmer delivered a touching speech in recognition of Cynthia Erivo’s groundbreaking career, and Tichina Arnold celebrated Marla Gibbs, an industry legend known for her work as an actress, producer, and writer.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 27: (L-R) Honoree Cynthia Erivo and Keke Palmer pose onstage during the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

One of the evening’s most memorable moments was the presentation of the inaugural ESSENCE Luminary Spotlight Award to Tyra Banks. The supermodel, entrepreneur, and media mogul received the honor for her trailblazing career, which has redefined the modeling industry and paved the way for new opportunities for Black women in media. In her acceptance speech, Banks reflected on her evolution and commitment to expanding visual storytelling for Black women.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 27: Tyra Banks, Luminary Spotlight honoree, speaks onstage during the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

A poignant moment of reflection came when Jotaka Eaddy, founder of Win With Black Women, took the stage to honor those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. Eaddy’s tribute celebrated the resilience and strength of communities in Altadena and Pasadena, offering a message of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.

The event brought together a dazzling array of celebrities, including Taraji P. Henson, Zoë Kravitz, Tia Mowry, Natasha Rothwell, Laverne Cox, and many more. The celebration was a testament to the immense impact that Black women continue to have across all areas of the entertainment industry. Music moguls, fashion icons, and some of Hollywood’s most respected directors and actors mingled, celebrating the accomplishments of their peers and the next generation of talent.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 27: (L-R) Niecy Nash, Jessica Betts, Scott Evans and Yvette Nicole Brown attend the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

The 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards will continue to engage audiences through its ESSENCE YouTube Channel, where viewers can watch the pre-show on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 7 PM EST/8 PM EST. The pre-show will feature red-carpet arrivals and celebrity interviews.

For more information on the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, including behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive content, be sure to tune in to ESSENCE’s YouTube channel on March 3, 2025. The legacy of Black women in Hollywood continues to grow, and the 18th Annual Awards served as a reminder of their unwavering strength, talent, and brilliance.