(PHOTOS) Angela Bassett, Debra Lee, Pauletta Washington and LaTanya Richardson Jackson Honored at Ladylike Foundation’s Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon

Several accomplished women were honored recently at the Ladylike Foundation’s 10th Annual Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon, including actress Angela Bassett; actress Pauletta Pearson Washington, wife of Denzel Washington; former BET Networks Chair and CEO Debra Lee, and actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson, wife of actor Samuel L. Jackson.

Held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, the event raised $350,000 for the Ladylike Foundation, whose mission is to educate, empower and inspire young girls living in underprivileged communities around the Los Angeles area.

More than 900 guests attended the luncheon, which also raised money to provide six $5,000 scholarships to college-bound young women.

Holly Robinson-Peete served as the emcee for event, which also featured a hip-hop dance routine and a fashion show which featured the daughters of several celebrities, including Sean “Diddy” Combs’ daughters D’Lila Star and Jessie James; Corinne Foxx, daughter of Jamie Foxx; Gigi Johnson, granddaughter of Magic Johnson; Bailey Bellamy, daughter of Bill Bellamy and Kristen Bellamy), and Asia Fuqua, daughter of Antoine and Lela Fuqua.

In accepting an award for being a woman of excellence at the luncheon, Bassett talked about giving her best. “I was taught to show up, to be prepared and to always do and give my best,” Bassett said. “For many years I kept my head down, I studied my lines and I did the work. Whether portraying a fiercely talented living legend, a matriarch of a superiorly talented family or even the queen of a distant land named Wakanda, that’s been my process and that still is.”

Lee, who recently stepped down at BET, talked about the next chapter in her life. “I’m passionate about empowering girls and empowering women, so whatever I do, I will continue to do that,” she said.

In addition, a live auction was held where guests were able to bid on items that ranged from $1,500 to $10,000, including glittering portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama.
Guests were also treated to a special performance by Jordin Sparks, who made her first performance since giving birth to her son.

Many celebrities by celebrities from the music, sports and entertainment world, including Tina Knowles-Lawon, Loni Love, Kym Whitley, Marjorie Harvey, Storm Reid, Gabrielle Dennis, Cookie Johnson, Shaun Robinson, Bianca Lawson, Michele Weaver, Eric Benet, Manuela Testolini, Dave and Tonya Winfield.

Photos from the Ladylike Foundation Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon are below.

Angela Bassett and Jordin Sparks

Angela Bassett

LaTanya Richardson-Jackson

Pauletta Washington

Tina Knowles-Lawson

D’Lila Star and Jessie James Combs

D’Lila Star and Jessie James

Bianca Lawson and Tina Knowles-Lawson

Leah Pump

Debra Lee and Holly Robinson-Peete

Kim Porter

Eric Benet, Manuela Testolini, Jordin Sparks

(Photos courtesy of Ladylike Foundation)