Essence to Honor Black Women in Hollywood: The Power of Our Presence

6TH ANNUAL LUNCHEON SALUTES OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA AND BEHIND THE SCENES2013 ESSENCE BLACK WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD HONOREES: OPRAH WINFREY, ALFRE WOODARD, GABRIELLE UNION, MARA BROCK-AKIL, NAOMIE HARRIS, AND QUVENZHANE WALLISESSENCE, the preeminent brand for African-American women, will recognize the extraordinary achievements of Black women in film and television with its 6th annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon , taking place on February 21, 2013 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.ESSENCE will honor six of the industry’s most inspiring African-American female talents, both in front of the camera and behind-the-scenes, with an esteemed Black Women in Hollywood Award : Oprah Winfrey (Power Award); Alfre Woodard (Vanguard Award); Gabrielle Union (Fierce & Fearless Award); Mara Brock-Akil (Visionary Award); Naomie Harris (Lincoln Shining Star Award); and 2013 Oscar nominee Quvenzhane Wallis (Breakthrough Performance).One of Hollywood’s most anticipated events during awards season, this star-studded affair commemorates ESSENCE magazine’s annual Hollywood issue (March), which will be available on newsstands on February 8. ESSENCE.com is giving fans exclusive access to the style and substance of Black Women in Hollywood by live streaming all the red-carpet action, including interviews with the stars, starting at 11:30 a.m. PST/2:30 p.m. EST and re-airing that evening at 6 p.m. PST/9 p.m. EST .”The ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon recognizes the’Power of our Presence’, by spotlighting the stellar accomplishments of African-American female performers and creators in film and television,” says ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief, Constance C.R. White. “More importantly, the annual luncheon serves as a source of support and inspiration for the incredibly talented community of Black women who are often overlooked in Hollywood.”Since its inception in 2008, the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood event has honored some of the most cherished figures in the industry, including: Octavia Spencer, Pam Grier, Halle Berry, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Angela Bassett, Queen Latifah, Taraji P. Henson, Viola Davis, Jennifer Hudson, Zoe Saldana, Mary J. Blige, Gabourey Sidibe, Jurnee Smollett, Ruby Dee, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson, Loretta Devine, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Suzanne de Passe. As a highlight of Oscar week, this elegant luncheon has hosted much of Hollywood’s elite, including Tom Cruise, Will Smith, Amy Adams, Emma Stone, Jordin Sparks, Samuel L. Jackson, Forest Whitaker, James Cameron, Terrence Howard, and Laurence Fishburne, among many others.Stay tuned to Essence.com for highlights and behind-the-scenes access to ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood . Follow us on Twitter @essencemag #EssenceRedCarpet. Join in the discussion on Facebook.