Essence has announced the honorees for the 19th annual Black Women in Hollywood ceremony, honoring a cross-generational group of performers, producers and creative leaders.
The 2026 class includes Chase Infiniti, Kerry Washington, LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Zinzi Coogler.
Infiniti is being recognized for her breakout turn in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” and rising profile as an emerging Hollywood voice. Washington, an Emmy winner, is being honored for her work as an actor, producer and director throughout her career. Likewise, Richardson Jackson, a Tony and NAACP Image Award nominee, is being celebrated for her decades of contributions across stage and screen, as well as her civic engagement. Coogler, the Oscar-nominated producer of “Sinners” and founder of Proximity Media, is being celebrated for building critically and culturally acclaimed projects.
The ceremony — themed “Off Script” to reflect how Black women are changing the narrative in Hollywood by expanding beyond traditional roles and exerting increased creative control and long-term ownership across the industry — will take place on March 12 at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.
The program will also feature a Luminary Spotlight celebrating the women of “Sinners,” including cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, production designer Hannah Beachler, costume designer Ruth E. Carter, hair designer Shunika Terry-Jennings and actors Wunmi Mosaku and Jayme Lawson alongside Coogler. The segment recognizes the team’s collective achievement following “Sinners” becoming the most-nominated film in Oscars history.
The pre-show will stream on Essence’s official YouTube channel, featuring red-carpet coverage, celebrity interviews and the presentation of both the Essie’s Choice Award and the inaugural Creators’ Award.