The 17th annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards is set to honor four outstanding women in the entertainment industry: Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and Kathryn Busby. This prestigious event, celebrating the achievements of Black women in film and TV, is scheduled for March 7th and will take place at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The host for the evening will be Cliff “Method Man” Smith, a renowned actor, Grammy-winning rapper, and entrepreneur.
These women are being recognized at a time when they have achieved significant milestones in their careers. Danielle Brooks received her first Academy Award nomination for her role in the musical adaptation of “The Color Purple.” Halle Bailey, in addition to her solo Grammy nomination, starred as Ariel in Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid.” Nkechi Okoro Carroll has found success as the showrunner of NBC’s “Found” and is responsible for hit shows like “All American” and “All American: Homecoming.” Kathryn Busby, as the President of Original Programming at Starz, has overseen the growth of the successful “Power” franchise and approved the upcoming “Outlander” prequel, “Blood of My Blood.”
The awards ceremony will be produced by Essence Studios and Red Summer TV, with broadcasting on OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network and streaming on Max/Discovery+. The event will offer viewers an exclusive look at the pre-Oscar celebration, featuring red-carpet arrivals, interviews, and highlights from the awards presentation.
The theme for the 2024 event is “Radiant Power,” emphasizing the strength, grace, and influence of Black women in the entertainment industry, particularly in light of the challenges faced during the historic writers’ and actors’ strikes of 2023.
Caroline Wanga, President and CEO of Essence Ventures emphasized the importance of celebrating the accomplishments of Black women in the industry. She acknowledged the difficulties faced by the entertainment industry and reaffirmed Essence’s commitment to recognizing Black women who provide inspiration and hope through their contributions.
The Essence Black Women in Hollywood event, like the magazine’s longstanding dedication to uplifting Black women, serves as a tribute to these remarkable women as they continue to break barriers and inspire others.
Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey Set For Essence Black Women in Hollywood https://t.co/BPOmpxvP90
— WomenFilmmakersofColor (@WomenFilmOfColr) February 6, 2024
In addition to the awards ceremony, Essence will host the 5th annual Essence Hollywood House, designed for aspiring filmmakers, actors, and film enthusiasts. The event, themed Scripting Reel Change, will include a range of activities, discussions, and mentoring sessions, both in-person and virtually, on March 8th.
Both the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards and Hollywood House are organized by Essence Communications, Inc. and sponsored by Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Smartwater. Source
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