Essence has announced the honorees of its 2017 Black Women in Hollywood Awards. Musician and “Hidden Figures” star Janelle Monaé, “Insecure’s” Issa Rae, “How to Get Away with Murder’s” Aja Naomi King, and “Black-ish” star Yara Shahidi will be celebrated, the publication’s website reports.
Essence’s Black Women in Hollywood Awards is “an annual event that celebrates groundbreaking and superbly talented Black women in Hollywood.” This year’s edition is the 10th anniversary of the awards and, for the first time, will be an evening gala. Previously, the ceremony was held as part of a luncheon.
“For the past decade, the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards has paid homage to our modern image-makers — both in front of the camera and behind the scenes,” Essence editor-in-chief Vanessa K. De Luca said in a statement. “This past year has been an exceptional one for diversity in film and television, and with the incredible contributions of Janelle, Issa, Aja, and Yara, it is fitting that our 10th anniversary will honor the future of Hollywood and its continued steps on the path to inclusion.”
Indeed, it has been a big year for all the honorees. Monaé made her live-action film debuts in the Oscar-nominated movies “Hidden Figures” and “Moonlight.” Previously, musician Monaé had only voiced a character in “Rio 2.” And Rae’s long-awaited HBO series, “Insecure,” finally aired to critical acclaim. The “Awkward Black Girl” creator and star also signed a first look deal with HBO and is set executive produce the anthology series “Minimum Wage.”
“How to Get Away with Murder” series regular King had a heartbreaking, unfortunately-overshadowed role in “Birth of a Nation.” The actress portrayed Cherry, Nat Turner’s wife. King and co-star Gabrielle Union probably would’ve received awards buzz for their roles if not for the (warranted) controversy surrounding their director, Nate Parker.
Shahidi plays eldest child Zoey Johnson on the ABC comedy “Black-ish.” Her previous acting credits include “Trollhunters,” “The Fosters,” and “Scandal.” Shahidi is currently killing it on the comedy series — so much that there are talks about a potential Zoey-centric spinoff.
Women of color have an especially hard time getting the recognition they deserve in Hollywood, so honors like Essence’s Black Women in Hollywood Awards are vital for working actresses and the upcoming generation. This year’s honorees recognize this: “It is so important, that we as women, African-American women, tell our stories,” Monaé has said. “[‘Hidden Figures’] is so important because it shows black people and black women in a different light.”
In an interview with Vulture, King commented, “I [haven’t seen] a lot of black women or Indian women or Asian women or Latina women in strong, powerful parts that really showcased their abilities. Maybe that film exists, but I don’t know about it. […] That’s where the change needs to occur.”
The Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards will be February 23 at the Beverly Wilshire.
