ESSENCE today announced the 8th Annual "Black Women in Hollywood" luncheon honorees at an event hosted by "Access Hollywood" correspondent Shaun Robinson and ESSENCE’s Editor-In-Chief Vanessa K. De Luca.
The 2015 "Black Women in Hollywood Award" will go to: Adrienne C. Moore, Danielle Brooks, Laverne Cox, Lorraine Toussaint, Samira Wiley, Uzo Aduba, and Vicky Jeudy of the Emmy Award-winning series "Orange Is The New Black" (Vanguard Award); actress/director Regina King (Fierce & Fearless Award); actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Lincoln Breakthrough of the Year Award); and Academy Award-nominated costume designer Ruth E. Carter (Visionary Award).
The "Black Women in Hollywood" luncheon will take place at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on February 19, 2015, to recognize the extraordinary achievements of trailblazing women in film and television.
"The past year has been a game-changer for women in Hollywood. We are creating, performing and calling the shots," said De Luca. "By recognizing our leading ladies both in front of and behind the camera, ESSENCE ‘Black Women in Hollywood’ illuminates the ‘Power of our Presence.’"
"ESSENCE embodies the diversity of our stories, and "Black Women in Hollywood" allows us to honor fresh and innovative storytelling, as well as groundbreaking portrayals," added ESSENCE President Michelle Ebanks. "This year we are proudly honoring seven brilliant actresses from the original hit series ‘Orange is the New Black;’ a critically-acclaimed actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw; an accomplished performer and director with a career spanning three decades Regina King; and an inspirational creative talent Ruth E. Carter."
2015 marks the 45th anniversary of ESSENCE magazine. "Black Women in Hollywood" commemorates the brand’s annual Hollywood issue (March), which will be available on newsstands on February 13th.
ESSENCE.com is giving fans exclusive access to the style and substance of "Black Women in Hollywood" by live streaming all the red-carpet action, including interviews with the stars, starting at 11 am PST6 pm PST
Since its debut in 2008, the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood event has honored some of the most cherished figures in the industry, including: Oprah Winfrey, Lupita Nyong’o, Ava Duvernay, Halle Berry, Viola Davis, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Angela Bassett, Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Octavia Spencer, Taraji P. Henson, Jennifer Hudson, Zoe Saldana, Mary J. Blige, Gabourey Sidibe, Quvenzhané Wallis, Jurnee Smollett, Ruby Dee, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson, Loretta Devine, Naomie Harris, Gabrielle Union, Mara Brock-Akil, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Suzanne de Passe.
As a highlight of Oscar week, the luncheon has also hosted much of Hollywood’s elite, including Tom Cruise, Will Smith, Amy Adams, Emma Stone, Samuel L. Jackson, Forest Whitaker, James Cameron, Terrence Howard and Laurence Fishburne, among many others.
Stay tuned to Essence.com for highlights and behind-the-scenes access to "ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood." Follow on Twitter and Instagram at @essencemag #BlackWomeninHollywood. Join in the discussion on Facebook.
