March 2nd 2025.
The 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards was a night filled with celebration and recognition for the honorees' incredible careers. Among those honored were Teyana Taylor, Tyra Banks, Cynthia Erivo, Raamla Mohamed, and Marla Gibbs, who all received top honors at the prestigious event. This year marked the 18th year of the ceremony, which continues to shine a spotlight on the incredible accomplishments of Black women in the entertainment industry. As diversity and representation remain at risk, this celebration holds even greater significance for the Black community and Hollywood.
The event, hosted by "Cross" star Aldis Hodge, was recorded in Los Angeles on Feb. 27. Each honoree was introduced by another Black woman in the industry, including Niecy-Nash Betts for Taylor and Keke Palmer for Erivo. Taylor began her acceptance speech with a heartfelt prayer, thanking God for bringing her to this point in her career.
"I thank you, Heavenly Father God, for who you are," Taylor began with emotion. "Thank you for reminding me that your blessings, your love, your grace, and your patience with me doesn't come with conditions. Because, let's be real, I know I get on your nerves sometimes. And even though I may get on your nerves, you still take your time with me."
She continued, "Thank you for seeing me and accepting me in every form I've come to you. Thank you for wiping away every tear when I thought the weight was punishment. You made it clear that the weight wasn't punishment, but rather preparation for what was already written for my life."
Palmer then took the stage to applaud Erivo for the impact she has on fellow Black actresses like herself.
"You are one of my favorite actresses because I see myself in you," Palmer told a teary-eyed Erivo. "I do want to be liked, but I am nobody's victim. I will never let anyone dim the lightness in my step or the crack in my smile. You possess and inject that fire into all your characters. You bring to life the innocence that is lost so early in womanhood, the feeling of invisibility, and the struggles of being a minority. We must always fight to protect that little person within us who knows we are more than what the world tells us we can be."
The awards ceremony also featured appearances by Issa Rae, who presented the award to Mohamed, and Tichina Arnold, who spoke about the influence of Marla Gibbs. Marla's daughter, Angela, accepted the award on her behalf. Banks was honored with the inaugural ESSENCE Luminary Spotlight and used her speech to express her commitment to creating more opportunities to showcase the lives and ambitions of Black women.
The event was attended by several Black women in media and entertainment, including Taraji P. Henson, Zoë Kravitz, Natasha Rothwell, and Meagan Good. Political commentator Joy-Ann Reid also made a surprise appearance on stage, where she emphasized the importance of diversity in all forms, particularly in storytelling. Reid recently made headlines after MSNBC canceled her show, which she referred to as a "break up."
The full 2025 Essence Black Women In Hollywood Awards ceremony will premiere on Essence's YouTube channel after its pre-show on March 3 at 7 p.m. ET. In a time where the Black community continues to face challenges and obstacles, events like this serve as a reminder of the incredible talent and strength within the community. As Black celebrities continue to support initiatives like the Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala, which raised $3 million for Black-owned businesses, it is clear that we are nobody's diversity hire. We are powerful, talented, and deserving of recognition and opportunities.
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