By Sandy Cohen, Entertainment Writer
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) --Actresses Aja Naomi King and Yara Shahidi quoted James Baldwin. "Insecure" creator Issa Rae shared awkward memories of her first trip down a Hollywood red carpet. And singer-songwriter Janelle Monae, who makes her acting debut in two films best-picture nominated films at Sunday's Oscars, insisted black women "have a right to have our stories told."
Essence magazine recognized these four young entertainers Thursday at its 10th anniversary Black Women in Hollywood gala, which is set to air as a special on the Oprah Winfrey Network on March 5.
"Stories written, directed, produced and acted by black women are necessary," Common said as he and actor Kofi Siriboe opened the program at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
"This event is a reminder that we are here," host Gabrielle Union said. "Regardless of whether or not anyone sees us."
The need to be seen, heard and valued was a theme of the evening, as pioneering artists such as Debbie Allen and Viola Davis lauded the next generation of storytellers, who in turn thanked them for paving the way.
Allen described Rae as "an OBG: an original black girl." The 32-year-old writer, director and star of HBO's "Insecure" listed Allen among the many black women who inspired her. Rae said the choreographer, director and producer has "been goals since I was a child, then I realized I can't dance so I was satisfied just being a fan."
Tracee Ellis Ross said she and Shahidi, her TV daughter on "black-ish," are "kindred souls from different eras."
Shahidi said she sometimes wonders what she's doing "in beautiful designer clothes while the world is reeling backward."
"What I am I doing to contribute to the world around me?" she said. "I'm fortunate because you all have taught me by example what the role of the arts is: to disrupt, to remold and to create."
Past Essence honorees Shonda Rhimes and Diahann Carroll were among the guests Thursday. Other past recipients include Davis, Allen, Ross and Union, along with Oprah Winfrey, Halle Berry, Cicely Tyson and Ava DuVernay, who appears on the cover of the magazine's March issue.
Pharrell Williams, who's up for an Oscar as a producer of "Hidden Figures," presented an award to Monae, a star of that film and "Moonlight." He described her as "the definition of a pluralist."
"It's on another level," Williams said. "Like, you're really talented, sis."
Monae spoke passionately about the autonomy and agency of black women.
"The world must continue to know that we are not your expectations," the 31-year-old entertainer said. "We have been the backbones of communities from the ghettos to Silicon Valley. We're not monolithic. We are multidimensional. And we have a right to have our stories told."
She noted that "Hidden Figures," which stars three black women, has brought it more than $140 million so far.
Davis introduced King, her co-star on "How to Get Away With Murder," by praising the honesty and openness she brings to her performances.
"That is the goal," Davis said. "That is the gift."
The 32-year-old actress responded with a poetic speech that moved several in the room, including Union, to tears. She talked about struggling to overcome an inner critic that tells her she's unworthy and doesn't belong.
"But in order for me to survive in this industry and in this world, in order for me to thrive, I have to stop believing that the root of my talent is a tree growing in someone else's yard, as if the fruit it bears doesn't belong to me," she said. "We are living in a world where we watch our culture being consumed and are left starving for ourselves, and I don't want to be hungry anymore."
SMPTE elects board officers, regional governors
SMPTE®,the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has revealed the board officers and regional governors who will serve terms beginning in January 2025.
Three new officers--Richard Welsh as SMPTE president, Eric Gsell as SMPTE executive VP, and Polly Hickling as SMPTE Education VP--have been elected for a two-year term from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2026. One SMPTE officer, Lisa Hobbs, will be continuing her service as SMPTE secretary and treasurer for another two-year term. Additionally, Raymond Yeung will be stepping into the role of standards VP on Jan. 1, 2025.
“SMPTE’s membership has spoken,” said SMPTE interim executive director Sally-Ann D’Amato. “These officers have been tasked with an important responsibility, one each of them is prepared to tackle head-on. These next two years are looking bright for SMPTE!”
In addition to the officers, 10 regional governors were elected by the Society to serve two-year 2025-2026 terms.
These include the following regional governors, re-elected to continue their service:
Asia-Pacific Region Governor
Tony Ngai, Society of Motion Imaging Ltd.
EMEA - Central & South America Region Governor
Fernando Bittencourt, FB Consultant
United Kingdom Region Governor
Chris Johns, Sky UK.
USA - Central Region Governor
William T. Hayes, Consultant
USA - Eastern Region Governor
Dover Jeanne Mundt, Riedel Communications
USA - Western Region Governor
Jeffrey F. Way, Open Drives
Also elected were four newcomers to the SMPTE Board:
Canada Region Governor
Jonathan Jobin, Grass Valley
USA - Hollywood Region Governor
Allan Schollnick, Voxx... Read More