LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, ESSENCE proudly announces its coveted honorees for the 18th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, returning to the stage on Thursday, February 27th, 2025, in the luxurious backdrop of the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel. This year’s honorees embody a tireless commitment to cultural elevation, including Emmy, GRAMMY, Tony winner and 3x Oscar nominee actress and singer, Cynthia Erivo, multifaceted award-winning actress, singer, and creative lead Teyana Taylor, industry veteran, Emmy-nominated actress, producer, and writer, Marla Gibbs, alongside Raamla Mohamed, Emmy-nominated creator, writer, and executive producer of Reasonable Doubt. Hosted by producer and star of Prime Video’s Cross, Aldis Hodge, the highly anticipated event will culminate in Los Angeles, serving as the premiere precursor to one of entertainment’s most coveted weekends.
Each honoree represents a vital piece of history, a shining facet of a legacy that continues to inspire and endure. This celebration honors both the trailblazers of the past and the visionaries of the future, embodying ESSENCE's heartfelt message: “We Love Us."
For nearly two decades, the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards has celebrated the extraordinary artistry and brilliance of Black women in television and film. This event elevates their vital contributions to the industry while tirelessly dismantling barriers that limit their access and visibility. As the television and film industry continues to evolve—navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, confronting the impact of recent writers' strikes, and responding to the devastation of the Los Angeles wildfires—ESSENCE stands firm. These pivotal moments serve as a constant reminder that the broader societal landscape influences the stories shared on-screen and those that remain untold.
Inspiring the 2025 theme, "Scene and Unseen," the event is a call to recognize the storytelling and vision that often go overlooked yet profoundly shape the entertainment industry and beyond. These awards transcend the screen, championing the richness of personal experiences while honoring the lasting impact of Black women who relentlessly push boundaries. It is a powerful celebration of support and storytelling, reminding us of our collective strength when we share our truths with one another.
ESSENCE is dedicated to weaving our past, present, and future into a platform that affirms the incalculable contributions of Black women by creating pathways for the next generation of honorees, ensuring they have the resources and support to overcome challenges and share their unique stories with the world. This year's ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards carries greater significance as we honor the remarkable achievements of Black women in the entertainment industry and the strength of communities united against adversity. In light of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires affecting the entertainment community, ESSENCE is committed to supporting existing relief efforts to meet critical needs in Altadena, Pasadena, and surrounding areas.
The awards ceremony pre-show will premiere on ESSENCE’s YouTube channel on Monday, March 3rd, giving viewers an exclusive look at red-carpet arrivals, celebrity interviews, and revealing the winner of the inaugural ESSIES’ Choice Award: Presented by Diet Coke®. This special honor, chosen by fans, shines a light on an emerging industry luminary who inspires a shared creative journey.
The 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards is proudly sponsored by Apple TV+, with cocktails courtesy of official whisky sponsor Crown Royal, alongside Diet Coke®, smartwater®, and Prime Video, and is produced in partnership with MVD Inc.
On Friday, February 28th, ESSENCE will continue its Hollywood weekend celebration of Black entertainment powerhouses at the sixth annual ESSENCE Hollywood House: To Altadena With Love. This year’s event, sponsored by AT&T, Diet Coke®, smartwater®, and Warner Bros. Television Group, focuses on celebrating the powerful and visible moments of triumph and artistry Black creatives have achieved while bringing attention to the journeys, struggles, and perspectives that have too long been overlooked.
ESSENCE Hollywood House: To Altadena With Love is open to the public and invites aspiring filmmakers, actors, and enthusiasts in the TV and film industry to join a day filled with networking, panel discussions, skill-building activities, mentoring, and more. Join in on the conversation at Instagram, X, Facebook, and YouTube. For more information or to register, please visit ESSENCE.com/hollywood-house-2025. Virtual attendees can stream the day's events online at ESSENCE.com.
ABOUT SUNDIAL MEDIA GROUP
Sundial Media Group, LLC (SMG), a division of the Sundial Group of Companies, is a vertically integrated media, entertainment and experiential company focused on empowering the voices and communities leading culture in the new general market. Brands in this ecosystem include Essence Ventures (ESSENCE including Girls United; AFROPUNK; Beautycon™ including Naturally Curly; Essence Studios; ESSENCE Festival of Culture™; and SOKO MRKT™), Refinery29, Global Black Economic Forum (GBEF), including Academy For Advancing Excellence, and New Voices Fund.
ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS, MEDIA GROUP INC.
Essence Communications is the number one—and only 100% Black-owned—media, technology and commerce company at scale dedicated to Black women and communities. With a community of more than 31 million Black women, ESSENCE inspires a global audience through diverse storytelling and immersive original content rooted in Culture, Equity and Celebration. The brand's multi-platform presence in/ publishing, experiential and online encompasses its namesake magazine; digital, video and social platforms; television specials; books; and signature live events, including Black Women in Music, Black Women in Hollywood, ESSENCE Black Women in Sports, Fashion House, Street Style and the ESSENCE Festival of Culture.
