In 2007, ESSENCE magazine created the Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon, a private event that highlighted black women and their achievements on the big screen, behind the scenes, in the music studios and much more. The event always done on the Thursday of OscarsWeek was a part of Essence's February Hollywood issue. In the first annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon the honorees were Ruby Dee, Suzzane de Passe, Jada Pinkett Smith and Jurnee Smollett. All four of these women shared one thing in common with their sisters who would follow and that thing was that they were a Black women in Hollywood serving as the trailblazers for little black girls and young black women. Since the first luncheon, ESSENCE magazine has continued the celebration for nine years. This year the wonderful celebration was held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. This year's honorees were Tracee Ellis Ross who took home the Fierce and Fearless Award, Debbie Allen who was awarded the Legend Award and Nina Shaw who was awarded the Lincoln Power award. As well as the honorees, the list of powerful women included Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, Channing Dungey, Meagan Good, Amber Riley, Keke Palmer, Zendaya Coleman, Nicole Ari Parker, Lala Anthony, Erica Campbell, Kelly Rowland, Tina Lawson and many more.
The luncheon began with a powerful statement made by Oprah Winfrey. She stated " "The idea that we gather in this space to speak each other's name in praise and raise each other up in celebration, that's a divine moment". More divine moments were shared by celebrities who attended the luncheon. Some top quotes from the luncheon can be seen on essence.com. A quote that stuck out that I think is important to share was a quote from Erica Campbell on Black Girl Magic. She stated “It always includes the strength that you have to go shine in the face of adversity and the face of this industry that tells you that you’re not beautiful and you’re lacking something. Understanding who you are what you have: That’s Black girl magic.”The event received a lot of media attention and was featured in Variety Magazine, the Root, LA Times and eonline. Highlights ranged from what people wore on the red carpet to what the honorees said in their speech, but most importantly the event highlighted the importance of black women representing the powerful sisterhood that many Black girls and women need to see.
The importance of this luncheon every year is that it captures what we don't see in Hollywood or in general among young women. Many reality television shows compete with the positive images out there for black young girls but we have Essence magazine to thank for providing images and role models we can look into. This representation of black women is important because it creates dialogue about the great accomplishments of black women. It encourages young girls to embrace the essence of black girl magic and to use it in their everyday life. For me as a black woman attending Spelman College, it pushes me to create more spaces for my sisters who will come after me. All in all it shows the statement that Black women make and their legacy that they leave behind. The special event was televised yesterday on Oprah's network OWN and social media is still buzzing about the luncheon. I mean after all once you sprinkle Black Girl Magic and sisterhood everywhere, of course you will be the talk of the week.
