For nearly a year, Ryan Coogler’s vampire drama “Sinners” has dominated the cultural conversation — from its blockbuster box office to dissections of its references and their significance, to the filmmaker’s illuminating lesson about aspect ratios, and culminating with its record 16 Oscar nominations, including best picture.
But none of that would’ve happened without producer Zinzi Coogler and all the women — actresses and artisans — who made the film sing.
At the Essence Black Women in Hollywood awards on Thursday afternoon, Zinzi Coogler, cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, production designer Hannah Beachler, costume designer Ruth E. Carter, hair designer Shunika Terry-Jennings, and stars Wunmi Mosaku and Jayme Lawson took center stage.
“I’m still in the infancy of my career and a student of my collaborators,” Zinzi Coogler began, visibly touched by the standing ovation the group received from the crowd assembled at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.
“I am here today to accept this as my opportunity to thank my community who have championed and poured into me, Ryan, and our business partner, Sev (Ohanian), for the audacious stories we mustered up the bravery to tell,” she said. “I wouldn’t have dared to imagine the life that I walk today could exist for someone like me.”
Coogler then reflected on the sacrifices her mother (who immigrated to Oakland from the Philippines) and her father (born in 1931 on the South Side of Chicago), as well as Ryan Coogler’s parents, made so that they could pursue their creative dreams.
To the creative community, she said: “It’s up to us to be the protectors of our stories to keep them from being altered, removed or rewritten. It is how we stay connected to our ancestors, our elders and our children.”
Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan
“Sinners” duo Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan introduced the tribute.
Ryan Coogler recalled first meeting Zinzi in 2000. “She was kicking everybody’s ass on the track; she would beat girls by like a lap. And seeing her run, she was strong, powerful, really, skilled. I had no idea she was as shy as she was, so I’m just giving y’all a warning,” he joked. “The fact that she’s coming up here and talking a little bit is crazy.”
But Coogler had plenty of serious praise for his wife and producing partner, too.
“She is brilliant. She is a phenomenal leader,” he said. “I lead for work all the time. I lead in my family, and it’s nice to come home and be to somebody who I know I can trust to lead, so I can be led.”
He told the crowd how she worked to put the movie together in record time, working through every stage of production, as well as the press tour and awards season, while pregnant and postpartum. “Our little baby is seven months old now, and as good of a producer she is, she’s an even better mom,” Ryan said as Zinzi welled up in the audience.
Wunmi Mosaku, Zinzi Coogler and the Women of ‘Sinners’
“‘Sinners’ means many things to those of us who made it and to those who experienced it in theaters,” Wunmi Mosaku said when she approached the microphone. “At its heart, it’s a love story. Is a love letter to our culture, to our ancestors, to the families who raised us and to the community that shapes us. It reflects the beauty that lives within our resilience, the creativity born from our struggles, and the way our stories continue to carry truth, spirit and power across generations.”
Here, the BAFTA-winning actor got choked up: “This film has truly been the journey of a lifetime for all of us, both behind the camera and in front of it.”
So, as the “Sinners” train rounds the corner to its final stop at the Dolby Theater, Mosaku thanked the Cooglers for their commitment to empowering Black women.
“Their leadership reminds us what it looks like when artists honor their responsibility to community,” she said. “Their dedication to telling Black stories with care, honesty and ownership is something that continues to open doors for so many of us.”
Nnamdi Asomugha, Kerry Washington, Zinzi Coogler and Ryan Coogler
Kerry Washington, who was also honored at the ceremony, gave a shoutout to the “Sinners” crew during her speech.
“In ‘Sinners,’ when we travel through time and space on the dance floor and Ryan uses dance history to highlight all the beautiful, different contributions of people of color in this country through music and movement, art and culture and community,” Washington said, “That is what the Essence luncheon has always felt like to me. Because there might be vampires and monsters out there, but in here with you all year after year, this is magic! It’s the kind of magic that transforms you, that connects us in time and space and talent.”
Washington also thanked her husband, Nnamdi Asomugha (seen here with Zinzi and Ryan Coogler), who was her “secret fiancé” the last time she was honored by Essence 14 years ago. (More about that later.)
Delroy Lindo
“It’d take something special to tear me away from my ‘Sinners’ family,” said Delroy Lindo, explaining why he wasn’t sitting at the table for the WB movie.
And that special thing was Washington, his co-star in and producer of the Hulu series “UnPrisoned.”
“Everybody in the room is aware of how difficult it is to obtain success in this industry. It is even more difficult to sustain success,” he said. “It is triply difficult to then branch out, to look at your footprint and say, How can I expand what I am doing with my success?’” He continued, pointing out how Washington has created opportunities for others, including him, via her Simpson Street production company. “It is absolutely awe-inspiring to be a part of and to share in her journey.”
Kerry Washington
Washington carried a paper copy of her speech, where she reflected on her earlier Black Women in Hollywood honor, which came at the start of her historic run on “Scandal.” Washington admitted that she was incredibly nervous that day. Why?
“There were probably about 30 other incredibly talented and deserving women in the room who had read for that role,” Washington said. “Maybe two of the three other women who went to test read for the network were in the room.”
Add to that the stress and pressure she felt to be perfect, so it wasn’t another 40 years before a Black woman led a network drama.
But her fears about jealousy or judgment or criticism proved unfounded. “The energy in this room on that day was all love and generosity. You weren’t waiting for me to fail. You were praying for me to win, so that we could all collectively win, and I felt it,” Washington said. “I knew that if the show worked, and if I was able to have any semblance of creative currency or power, I was going to pour it back into this room and this community.”
Marsai Martin
Marsai Martin, who at 21 is Black Hollywood’s now-grown niece, hosted the ceremony.
“This sacred, magical space is reserved for the women who are reshaping what it means to be a Black woman in Hollywood,” Martin said onstage. “This room is for the women opening doors for the next generation and offering new narratives for the culture. Women who lift as they climb. …And listen, they’re not just seated at the table. They decided what’s on the damn menu.
Marsai Martin and Tyrese Gibson
Tyrese Gibson joined Martin onstage for a special performance of his track “Sweet Lady.”
Deon Cole and Marsai Martin
Midway through the ceremony, Deon Cole delivered a bit, offering his “Black-ish” co-star Martin some advice about hosting after his controversial NAACP Image Awards monologue.
“Don’t talk about nobody with Tourette’s, unless they say something about Michael B Jordan and Delray Lindo and they don’t apologize. That’s when you stand up for your brothers,” Cole said. “Those are our top-shelf Black people right there.”
He added: “And don’t say nothing about Nicki Minaj. You’ve got to get your fan base up in order to talk about Nicki Minaj. The barbs, they lit me up.”
Zendaya
Instead, Martin opted to joke about rumors Zendaya and Tom Holland secretly got married.
“I know you don’t play about your personal business at all,” Martin said from the stage. “So let me just give me a little nod, a little signal to, you know. Let me know when I should send the ‘T and Z Forever’ monogrammed towels.”
Zendaya played along — the superstar was dressed in bridal white, after all. But this vintage Eugene Alexander design had major Hollywood history. It was first worn by Whitney Houston for a 1987 cover of Time, then refashioned for Sarah Jessica Parker in the “Sex and the City” movie.
Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti
“One Battle After Another” star Teyana presented the first award of the event to her on-screen daughter, breakout star Chase Infiniti.
“Making it in Hollywood is literally one battle after another,” Taylor quipped while introducing Infiniti and praising the newcomer for how she represents a bold next generation of artists.
The Oscar-nominated movie was Infiniti’s first major film role, but she rose to the challenge. “Watching Chase baby, I was shook,” Taylor said. “Every scene, every emotion, you feel the heartbeat of her performance and I don’t mean on the surface; I mean deep in your soul. People were talking, people were gasping, people were gagging, people were crying, people were cheering. Because Chase didn’t just act, she became the story.”
For her part, Infiniti shared her gratitude for having co-stars like Taylor to look up to.
“My career, though it’s just starting, has been marked by the generosity and mentorship of other Black women who have paved a path for me,” she said, counting Regina Hall and her “Presumed Innocent” co-star Ruth Negga among that number.
LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Jurnee Smollett
Jurnee Smollett introduced the legendary actress, director and producer (and her godmother) LaTanya Richardson Jackson.
“The nominations, the accolades, they are incredibly impressive, but they still only tell a very small part of this woman’s story,” Smollett said. “Because the real power of LaTonya Richardson Jackson lives in how she moves through the world unapologetically, with elegance, grace and grit.”
Richardson Jackson kept her comments short — “I wrote it down on this piece of paper so I could be brilliant, be brief and be gone,” she cracked. — but they were powerful nonetheless.
Among her wise words was a reminder to shine your life, not just for yourself but for others. “You don’t need to chase the shiny thing; you are the shiny thing,” Richardson Jackson declared. “These Black women in this room are the beacons on a thousand hills, and all you have to do is see them, because they are shining brightly.”
Concluding her speech, she added: “Wake up, stay woke, because we who believe in freedom will not rest until it comes.
Zendaya and Coco Jones
Zendaya and Coco Jones look all grown up from their days as Disney stars as the multi-talented pair reunited at the ceremony.
Continue for an inside look at the exclusive event:
Tyriq Withers, Kerry Washington and Chase Infiniti
Washington (center) poses with her “children” Tyriq Withers and Infiniti, a nod to the internet joke that they and “Scandal” star Tony Goldwyn should play family in a revival of the hit show.
Chelley Bissainthe, Halle Bailey, Ryan Destiny, Serena Page and Chlöe
Chelley Bissainthe, Halle Bailey, Ryan Destiny, Serena Page and Chlöe team up inside the ceremony.
Olandria Carthen
“Love Island USA” breakout Olandria Carthen sparkles on the carpet at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood awards.
Natasha Rothwell and Yvonne Orji
Natasha Rothwell and Yvonne Orji have “Insecure” reunion inside the ceremony.
Regé-Jean Page
Regé-Jean Page (“You, Me & Tuscany”) smiles for photographers on the carpet.
Sheryl Lee Ralph and Mýa
Sheryl Lee Ralph poses on the carpet with Mýa, who performed at the close of the ceremony.
Bevy Smith, Laverne Cox and Yaya DaCosta
Bevy Smith, Laverne Cox and Yaya DaCosta smile inside the cocktail reception before the ceremony.
Karen Pittman
Karen Pittman (“The Morning Show,” “Forever”) strikes a pose on the carpet.
Jessica Betts, Niecy Nash-Betts and Nneka Onuorah
Jessica Betts, Niecy Nash-Betts, and Nneka Onuorah pose during the cocktail reception.
Skye P. Marshall
“Matlock” star Skye P. Marshall strikes a pose on the carpet.
Danielle Brooks and Jayme Lawson
Danielle Brooks and Jayme Lawson buddy up inside the ceremony.
Eva Marcille
Eva Marcille poses on the carpet.
Garcelle Beauvais, Cynthia Bailey and Toya Johnson-Rushing
Garcelle Beauvais, Cynthia Bailey and Toya Johnson-Rushing attend the ceremony.
Ashley Nicole Black
Ashley Nicole Black smiles for photographers on the carpet.
Novi Brown, Holly Robinson Peete and Vanessa Bell Calloway
Novi Brown takes a selfie with Holly Robinson Peete and Vanessa Bell Calloway inside the ceremony.
U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters
U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters poses inside the ceremony with Kerry Washington’s cover image.
Aliyah Mastin, Enuka Okuma, Krys Marshall, Essence Atkins, Ryan Michelle Bathe and Cassandra Freeman
Aliyah Mastin, Enuka Okuma, Krys Marshall, Essence Atkins, Ryan Michelle Bathe and Cassandra Freeman pose for a squad photo inside the ceremony.
Durand Bernarr
Grammy winner Durand Bernarr on the carpet.
Aldis Hodge, Amanda Baker-Lane and Samantha Walkes
“Cross” stars Aldis Hodge and Samantha Walkes pose with Amazon MGM Studios exec Amanda Baker-Lane on the carpet.
Dewayne Perkins
Dewayne Perkins (“The Studio,” “One of Them Days,” “The Blackening”) strikes a fashionable pose on the carpet.
Kara Young, Aleshea Harris and Erika Alexander
“Is God Is” stars Kara Young, Aleshea Harris and Erika Alexander team up on the carpet.
Jackée Harry
Jackée Harry pulls a funny face on the carpet.
Tara Duncan and Amber Rasberry
Onyx Collective president Tara Duncan and Amazon MGM Studios exec Amber Rasberry smile for photgraphers inside the event.
Loretta Devine, Amber Riley, Tia Mowry and Terri J. Vaughn
Loretta Devine, Amber Riley, Tia Mowry and Terri J. Vaughn pose for a group shot during the cocktail reception.
Shaun Ross and MAAD
Shaun Ross and MAAD make a fashion-forward pair on the carpet.
Lela Rochon
Lela Rochon poses for photographers on the carpet.
Millicent Shelton and Kathryn Busby
Starz president Kathryn Busby (right) poses with Emmy-nominated director on the carpet.
