(PHOTOS) Zendaya, Leslie Jones, Andra Day, Laverne Cox Make Grand Appearances at Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards

Essence Magazine’s annual Black Women in Hollywood Awards returned last night with the same elegance and reflection that attendees and viewers have come to expect from the Oscar week event.

However, this year the high-profile event was remixed, held virtually for the first time.

Hosted by Laverne Cox, the 2021 BWIH Awards recognized a group of women whose stories have amplified Black women’s experiences—Whoopi Goldberg, Cynthia Erivo, Zendaya, Michaela Coel and Andra Day, who also performed “Tigress & Tweed” from the movie “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” which brought the singer/actress her first Golden Globe Award.

“This year’s honorees and their individual projects have helped reframe and expand the narrative of Black women’s joy, pain, challenges and triumphs on screen that have allowed so many of us to see pieces of our own lives within,” said Cori Murray, Essence Deputy Editor and co-producer of Black Women in Hollywood, in a press release. “With the added layer of the pandemic, these master storytellers have kept us sane and more importantly, seen.”

Storm Reid hosted the red carpeted pre-show in addition to 2nd annual Essence Hollywood House, which featured interactive conversations, virtual panels, and masterclasses. Leslie Jones was also on hand to present fellow comedian.

Both the BWIH Awards and Essence Hollywood House are available online at EssenceStudios.com and Essence.com.

See photos from the 2021 Essence Black Women In Hollywood Awards below:

Zendaya

Leslie Jones

Andra Day

Laverene Cox

Storm Reid

Tarana Janeen

Caroline A. Wanga

Zendaya

Laverene Cox

(Photos courtesy of Essence)