Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon

Essence hosted their 8th annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon Thursday. Every year the magazine honors important ladies in Hollywood that might otherwise be ignored during other award ceremonies. And since I love TV and films, I had to write about those whose work I admire.

The luncheon was held at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. This year the honorees included British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw from Belle and Beyond the Lights. She won the Breakthrough award for her two very different roles.

 

 

Veteran actress Regina King was awarded the Fierce and Fearless prize for her lifetime of industry jobs in front of and behind the scenes. She started acting as a child on the hit show 227. I love this picture of her playing around in the photo booth. 

 



Costume designer Ruth Carter has recently worked on Selma and The Butler. She posed on the red carpet before receiving her Visionary award. In her career she has been nominated for Academy Awards for Best Costume Design for Amistad and Malcom X. Ms. Carter looks very fitted for a luncheon in her winter white Alexander McQueen dress.

Seven members of Netflix's Orange is the New Black won the Vanguard award. On stage to accept are Samira Wiley, Adrienne Moore, Danielle Brocks, Lorraine Toussaint, Laverne Cox, Vicky Jeudy, and Uzo Aduba.

Short film contest winner Iman Milner also received an award Thursday. She looked lovely having a great time in her red dress in the photo booth.
Make sure you watch the special on the OWN network tonight at 10 PM to see highlights from the luncheon. Enjoy!

Orange is the New Black cast
Photos