Inside The 2026 Essence Black Women In Hollywood Ceremony

This year’s honorees included Kerry Washington, Chase Infiniti, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Zinzi Coogler and the women of "Sinners."

LOS ANGELES — “Oh my God, I love this event.”

This audible exhale from Teyana Taylor seemed to echo as she took the stage at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood event last Thursday. As the program progressed, it became the resounding sentiment in every word, embrace and chuckle that filled the room.

Essence’s annual Oscar-week event returned to the Fairmount Century Plaza in Beverly Hills. The year’s theme was “Off Script,” putting the spotlight on Black women who have defied the industry’s odds and broken through in meaningful ways both on and off screen.

Kicking off the evening was host Marsai Martin, the young multi-hyphenate known for her work on ABC’s hit series “black-ish.” R&B singer and actor Tyrese also serenaded the crowd with a version of his signature hit “Sweet Lady.”

Taylor presented her “One Battle After Another” co-star Chase Infiniti with the Rising Star Award. Following Infiniti’s graduation from college in 2022, she quickly booked her role in Apple TV’s “Presumed Innocent” before bursting on the scene as Willa in the Academy Award-winning film. As her family watched her from the crowd, Infiniti beamed with pride as she thanked other Black actors who have come before her, citing Taylor, Regina Hall and Ruth Negga as mentors.