My Experience at the 7th Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon

I am still on a cloud. Thanks to L’Oreal Paris USA, I was their guest to a day full of inspiration, joy, and excitement and sisterhood. The third time coming out for this event. On a cloud. I am still on a cloud. The Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon was an experience! This was not our first time being at this event, but just as memorable!

You see, my day started with makeup PRO L’Oreal Paris Artist, Jordana popping over to beat my face! I mean, heading out to the event as a guest of L’Oreal Paris, I had to look the part! Paired with my new purchase from Eloquii (have you shopped them yet?) and my Shoedazzle Heels, I was ready to go!

This is one of those events I hold my breath for every year. Being a blogger invited to attend, experience, and rub shoulders with the women who have inspired me? BEYOND. It is always a surprise too, to see which of my blogger buddies I will catch at the event… Loving it all!

I caught up with my OG blogger boos: AwsomelyLuvvie, Britni (from Goal Diggers and Britni Danielle Writes), Afrobella, Claire from FashionBombDaily, Cinya (from E! News), Talking with Tami, Luxetips, and quite a few others, thanks to the various brands who tapped us to attend!

Let me back up.

What is the Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon?

Well, for the past seven years, Essence gathers the actresses, executives, and industry leaders within the African American community making strides in the entertainment industry, right before the Oscars to celebrate successes, honor the trailblazers and leaders, and to go to church. Or at least it feels like it.

This year, Essence honored Ava Duvernay, Cheryl Boone Issacs, and Lupita Nyong’O. In addition to these honorees, marking the 50^th anniversary of the Civil Right act, Essence honored Clarence Williams III, Denise Nichols, Diahann Carroll, Dr. Maya Angelou, Jim Brown, and Nichelle Nichols- all actors who were on the frontlines of this movement.

I kept pinching myself, like whoa… I am in a room of legends. Women and men I looked up to, grew up on, learned about who I am as a black woman… WHOA.

And when each honoree spoke, tears flowed, goose bumps raised, and hands clapped in agreement, inspiration, and pride. We were inspired. We went to church.

And I was here for all of it.

In addition to all of this amazingness at the Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon, if you happen to follow me on Instagram or on Facebook, then you know, I met some of the most amazing people at this event! Not all did I get pictures with, but dude, cool nonetheless!

Oprah. Tyler Perry. Chaka Khan. Tichina Arnold. Tasha Smith. Sharon Leal.  Mikki Taylor. Yvette Nicole Brown. Garcelle Beauvais. Adepero Oduye. Spike Lee!

I MET all of these people! GAH!

I literally was on a cloud and it still doesn’t feel real, but it happened.

And being in the same room listening to Luptia Nyong’O’s speech. Dude. I had tears.

I invite you to check out the full recap of the Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon here! Check out the video!

How cool was this? I felt quite honored to be a guest in this room of amazing people… I will never forget this event.