ESSENCE Unveils Host, Honorees, and Presenters for Black Women in Hollywood

 

The 19th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards has officially announced its host, performers, and presenters, and the lineup reflects exactly what this celebration has always represented. Legacy. Leadership. And the next generation stepping boldly into both. Set for March 12 at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, the ceremony will once again bring together the women shaping Hollywood in front of and behind the camera.

Actress and producer Marsai Martin will serve as host for the evening, bringing her signature wit and executive presence to the stage. At just 20 years old, Martin continues to embody what ownership looks like early, proving that Black women are not waiting their turn to lead. They are building tables.

Grammy Award winning artist Mýa is set to perform, adding a layer of nostalgia and grown woman artistry to the evening’s program.  Michael B. Jordan, Ryan Coogler, Delroy Lindo, Jurnee Smollett, and Teyana Taylor will take the stage to honor the women whose work continues to move film and television forward. Each name represents collaboration across generations of Black storytelling.

Among this year’s honorees are Kerry Washington, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Zinzi Coogler, and Chase Infiniti. Together, they reflect range and reach. From powerhouse performances to visionary producing, from seasoned craft to emerging brilliance, the honorees embody the fullness of Black womanhood in Hollywood.

The ceremony will also include a special Spotlight on the Women of Sinners, honoring the remarkable women behind the acclaimed project. The moment signals something larger than a single production. It affirms the necessity of uplifting not only the faces on screen, but the women shaping narratives behind it.

For nearly decades, ESSENCE has created a space where Black women are hugged, loved on, and celebrated the only way we know how. The 19th annual celebration continues that tradition of sisterhood and visibility, reminding the industry and ourselves that our brilliance deserves to be seen in full.