BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — The speeches by the recipients of Essence magazine’s 11th annual Black Women in Hollywood Awards have a theme: We are here, and we will be seen. “Black Panther” and “The Walking Dead” star Danai Gurira, “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Westworld” actress Tessa Thompson, Emmy-winning writer and actress Lena Waithe and comedian Tiffany Haddish were recognized by the magazine Thursday in Beverly Hills, California. “Insecure” actress Yvonne Orji hosted the program, which the Oprah Winfrey Network will air on Saturday as a special. Gurira, who hails from Zimbabwe, spoke so passionately about women and equality that Orji declared, “Danai Gurira 2020.”“She took us to church and the mountaintop,” Orji said. Other speakers included Monae, Bassett, DuVernay and Lil Rel Howery of “Get Out.”Both Thompson and Waithe talked about the power of feeling seen.

Source: National Post March 02, 2018 14:37 UTC