Essence Names Its 2012 Black Women in Hollywood Honorees

Essence has announced its Black Women in Hollywood honorees. Every year, the magazine shines the spotlight on actresses who have made their mark with a luncheon held just before the Academy Awards.

Kerry Washington will be recognized with the Vanguard Award for her career and upcoming works. Not only will she star in the drama Scandal, which premieres in April on ABC, but she'll also be in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained alongside Jamie Foxx.

The love just keeps rolling in for The Help's Octavia Spencer. The actress has snatched a Golden Globe, is nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and will be presented with Essence's award for Breakout Performance.

Paula Patton of Mission Impossible will receive the Shining Star Award while the Legend Award will go to Foxy Brown's Pam Grier.

And finally, Essence will recognize executive producer and screenwriter Shonda Rhimes with the Visionary Award for her success with Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice as well as ABC's recent order of a pilot for her new drama series Gilded Lilies. In addition, the network purchased a fourth Rhimes creation titled The Circle last fall.

The Black Women in Hollywood luncheon will be held February 23 at the Beverly Hills Hotel and will be streaming live on Essence.com from 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. PST.


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