For the past 16 years, Essence has been very intentional about doing their part to honor all the incredibly talented Black women actresses, directors, screenwriters, producers, showrunners, and executives who ,are not only talented, but passionate and deeply invested in their craft on and off the screen.
This year, Essence is continuing their tradition of shining a light on these revolutionary women in entertainment with their 2023 Black Women In Hollywood showcase.
Their showcase includes not one, not two, but five digital covers and interviews from Essence’s 2023 honorees: Dominique Thorne, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Danielle Deadwyler, Tara Duncan, and Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Check out their gorgeous digital covers, affirmations, and powerful excerpts below. And make sure you click “read more” to read all about their experience, insight, and advice as black women in Hollywood.
Dominique Thorne, Actress
Affirmation: “I’m supposed to be here.”
“The goal is to get to keep playing roles that are creative and stretch the imagination, but that also show the range that truthfully exists within our expression of Black womanhood and Black girlhood.” – Read More
Sheryl Lee Ralph, Actress & Singer
Affirmation: “This is who I’ve always been.”
“I really have to thank God. Because being at this time in my life, in my career, the things that I have witnessed as a woman, as an artist, as a Black woman… I am ever so grateful.” – Read More
Danielle Deadwyler, Actress
Affirmation: “I want to honor where I come from.”
“I have been reared and loved, and my creativity has been fostered by Black women, and by Black southerners, and by Black artists of that region. Everything about me has come from that space.” – Read More
Gina Prince-Bythewood, Film Director & Screenwriter
Affirmation: “I want to see us.”
“What has been the hardest fight and why there’s so much space between my projects, is because of the type of things that I want to tell and that’s centering Black women, telling Black stories.” – Read More
Tara Duncan, Network Executive
Affirmation: “The secret is there is no secret.”
“The secret is there is no secret. The thing that I am very fortunate that I’ve gained in my career is being able to trust my instincts and not be too worried about the outcome.” – Read More
