Essence once again celebrates Black women who are groundbreaking trailblazers in the film and television industry at the 16th Annual Hollywood Black Women Luncheon.
This year’s event will highlight the contributions and accomplishments of actresses Sheryl Lee Ralph, Danielle Deadwyler, Dominic Thorne, director Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Freeform & Onyx Collective President Tara Duncan.
“For more than a decade and a half, ESSENCE has created the Black Women Award, celebrating the story makers, story tellers, story doers, and story sharers who are the story makers, story tellers, story doers, and story sharers who foster the ecosystem of entertainment that the world cares about. ,” said Caroline Wanga, President and CEO of Essence Ventures, LLC. “In its 16th year, we are honored to stand on this hallowed platform to highlight the ongoing achievements of Black women at our annual luncheon.”
Winner Sheryl Lee Ralph is experiencing a career resurgence at age 64, winning multiple long-coveted awards and accolades for her role as Barbara Howard on the hit ABC comedy starring Quinta Branson. are doing. abbott elementary school He recently sang “Lift Every Voice” just before the Super Bowl.
Danielle Deadwyler made headlines and won the hearts of audiences with her poignant performance as Mamie Till-Mobley, the grieving but determined mother of murdered teenager Emmett Till in 2022. to. Although she was criminally left out of the Academy Award nominations, she will receive her bouquet of flowers and recognition at this year’s luncheon.
Gina Prince-Bythewood has a long list of cultural classics and directorial credits.But her work in last year’s Dahomey warrior epic queen stands out as the crowning achievement of her career, highlighting lesser-known moments in diaspora history and giving Black actresses and behind-the-scenes creators a platform to showcase their immense talent and ability. provided.
Dominic Thorne has been wowing audiences with his performances in the following films: If Beale Street Could Talk and judas and the black savior. But she plays Lili Williams, a smart, tech-genius action star in 2022. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever And the stars of upcoming Marvel movies iron heart She became a symbol for young black girls around the world.
As president of young adult cable platform Freeform and Onyx Collective, Disney’s culturally selective Hulu brand, Tara Duncan oversaw the launch of the most-watched show in network history (Cruel Summer); Onyx Collective’s Questlove won the Academy Award for Best Documentary. -produced summer of soul. As a pioneer in broadcasting and streaming her content, she is driving a culture of expression and unique storytelling in television media into the future.
“Whether the world recognizes it or not, Black women are the CEOs of our homes, cultures, and communities, and that’s the role they play, so when you engage with her, you engage with the entire Black community,” Wanga continued. .
The 16th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon will be held on Thursday, March 9th.
