ESSENCE to celebrate Chase Infiniti, Kerry Washington, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Zinzi Coogler and the women of ‘SINNERS’ at the 19th Annual Black Women in Hollywood
ESSENCE proudly announces Chase Infiniti, Kerry Washington, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Zinzi Coogler, including a Luminary Spotlight moment honoring the women of 'SINNERS’ – including Autumn Durald Arkapkaw, Hannah Beachler, Jayme Lawson, Ruth E. Carter, Shunika Terry-Jennings, and Wunmi Mosaku – as honorees during the 2026 Black Women in Hollywood ceremony, kicking off entertainment’s biggest awards-season weekend on Thursday, March 12th at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel.
Now in its nineteenth year, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood has become a consistent marker of influence during awards season, recognizing Black women whose work shapes film and television across performance, production, and leadership. The event convenes established industry figures and emerging talent whose careers reflect both creative impact and decision-making power within entertainment.
The 2026 program is guided by the theme Off Script, reflecting a shift in how Black women are navigating Hollywood. This year’s theme centers on career expansion beyond traditional roles, increased creative control, and long-term ownership across the industry. The 2026 honorees reflect this shift across generations and disciplines, advancing new models of leadership while reshaping the industry’s creative infrastructure.
Chase Infiniti, Golden Globe, Actor Award, BAFTA, and Critics Choice-nominated actress, is honored for her breakthrough performances and growing presence as an emerging voice in Hollywood, representing a new generation entering the industry.
Kerry Washington, Emmy-winning producer, Golden Globe and Tony-nominated actress, and New York Times best-selling author is honored for her work both on screen and behind the camera, where she continues to expand opportunities for storytellers while maintaining a consistent presence in film and television.
LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Tony and NAACP Image Award-nominated actress, director, producer and philanthropist, is celebrated for her decades-long career across stage and screen, as well as her civic engagement and sustained contributions to the craft and culture of performance.
Zinzi Coogler, Golden Globe Award winner, Oscar-nominated producer, and founder of Proximity Media, is recognized for her development of critically and culturally acclaimed multimedia projects .
The ceremony will include a special Luminary Spotlight moment celebrating the women of ‘SINNERS,’ honoring their collective achievement following the film’s historic distinction as the most Academy Award–nominated film of all time. The moment will recognize contributions across performance and visual craft from Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Hannah Beachler, Jayme Lawson, Ruth E. Carter, Shunika Terry-Jennings, Wunmi Mosaku, and Zinzi Coogler, spotlighting the depth of creative leadership behind the film both on and off screen.
Together, the 2026 honorees reflect the evolving structure of the entertainment industry, where cultural influence is measured beyond visibility and expanded by authority, leadership, and ownership.
The 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood ceremony is proudly sponsored by smartwater®. Returning for a fifth consecutive year to produce Black Women in Hollywood is MVD Inc in partnership with ESSENCE.
The awards ceremony pre-show will premiere on the official ESSENCE YouTube channel, featuring an exclusive look at red-carpet arrivals, celebrity interviews, and presenting the winner of the ESSIES’ Choice Award, alongside the inaugural Creators’ Award presented by smartwater®. The recognition will spotlight nominees curated by the ESSENCE editorial team, with the winner selected by ESSENCE newsletter subscribers.
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