Essence Magazine honors black female stars in Hollywood at the 2026 ceremony
Essence Magazine celebrates black female power in Hollywood with its 2026 honorees. Among the stars highlighted this year are Chase Infiniti, Kerry Washington, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, and Zinzi Coogler, women who have been redefining the cinematic landscape with their exceptional performances, innovative production work, and philanthropic contributions. This year's event, scheduled for March 12th at the Fairmont Century Plaza, is titled 'Off Script', an allusion to the new trajectories that black women are forging in Hollywood.
Infiniti gains notoriety for her stellar performance in 'One Battle After Another', while Washington is recognized for her multifaceted talent in front and behind the camera, having been previously honored by Essence in 2012. With nearly four decades into her career, Jackson is applauded for her acting and directing on stage and screen, as well as for her philanthropic work in the arts. Coogler, founder of Proximity Media, is honored for her work on acclaimed multimedia productions, such as the film 'Sinners', highlighting the women responsible for the technical and visual excellence of the work.
The traditional BWIH event will be broadcast on Essence's YouTube channel, offering additional recognition through the 'Essie’s Choice Award' and the brand-new Smartwater's 'Creators’ Award', the latter having its nominees selected by the magazine's editorial team and elected by subscribers to Essence's newsletter.