Celebrate Kerry Washington’s achievements as a 2026 Black Women in Hollywood Honoree. The 2026 awards show is available to stream: Watch Here
The red carpet at the ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood luncheon has always been more than a photo op. It is a runway where the archives of Black excellence and fashion collide. Since 2008, the event has served as a pivotal moment in the mainstream awards circuit, offering a space where Black women are not just seen, but celebrated for their astonishing work and creative vision. This year’s gathering at the Fairmont Century Plaza promises to continue a legacy of Black storytelling, honoring the women who shape our screens and our culture, Off Script.
GU tapped ESSENCE Fashion Editor Mecca Pryor to dive deep into the Getty vault and curate the it looks from every year of its history. Our retrospective begins in 2008 with honoree Jada Pinkett Smith and ends with the boundary pushing presence of Tyla in 2025. This archive tracks nearly two decades of evolution, innovation, and unapologetic glamour, serving as a testament to the power of Black womanhood in Hollywood. These women prove that while trends may shift, the style of those who wear them remains constant.
01
01
2008 – Jada Pinkett Smith
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 21: Jada Pinkett arrives at the First Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon, at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 21, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Essence)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 19: Actress Meagan Good arrives at the 2nd Annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon at The Beverly Hills Hotel on February 19, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MARCH 04: Actress Tia Mowry attends the third annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on March 4, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
04
04
2011 – Kimora Lee Simmons
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 24: Actress Kimora Lee Simmons attends the 4th Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood luncheon at Beverly Hills Hotel on February 24, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
05
05
2012 – Kerry Washington
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 23: Kerry Washington arrives at the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood luncheon held at Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic)
06
06
2013 – Gabrielle Union
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 21: Actress Gabrielle Union attends the 6th annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood awards luncheon at Beverly Hills Hotel on February 21, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 27: Actress Rochelle Aytes attends the 7th annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood luncheon at Beverly Hills Hotel on February 27, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
08
08
2015 – Jurnee Smollett
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 19: Actress Jurnee Smollett attends the 8th Annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 19, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
09
09
2012 – Serayah McNeill
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25: Actress Serayah McNeill arrives at the Essence 9th Annual Black Women event in Hollywood at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 23: Actor DeWanda Wise at Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 23, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for Essence)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MARCH 01: Ajiona Alexus attends the 2018 Essence Black Women In Hollywood Oscars Luncheon at Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on March 1, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Essence)
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Janelle Monae attends the 13th Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood Awards Luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 06, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
