ESSENCE Magazine pulled out the red carpet for their 6th annual Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel that included the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Alfre Woodard, Gabrielle Union, Kelly Rowland and more.
And back on the east coast, Jermaine Dupri also decided to host his own star studded soiree to celebrate 20 years of So So Def…
ESSENCE honored six of the industry’s most inspiring African-American female talents, in front of an audience of A-list celebrities and powerful executives from the film and television community, at what has come to be known as one of Oscar Week’s most moving, and anticipated events.
Celebrities such as Naomi Campbell, Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Rowland gathered to celebrate the achievements of Oprah Winfrey (Power Award); Alfre Woodard (Vanguard Award); Gabrielle Union (Fierce & Fearless Award); Mara Brock Akil (Visionary Award); Naomie Harris (Lincoln Shining Star Award); and 2013 Oscar nominee Quvenzhané Wallis [show above] (Breakthrough Performance).
Hollywood showed out, while Atlanta was all about showing off as Jermaine Dupri pulled out the stops for his So So Def roster.
He treated his So So Def roster to an intimate dinner at a top secret location in Atlanta.
Artists such as Bow Wow, Chris Kelly (Kris Kross), Da Brat, Jagged Edge, LaTocha and Tamika Scott (Xscape), Dondria, Bonecrusher, Youngbloodz, Dem Franchize Boyz, and Fresco Kane along with veteran music exec Michael Mauldin (JD’s father) were in attendance, as JD and staff served the guests a lavish meal prepared by Chef Michael Hebb and custom “Afroman” cake by Jaxon Pastries.
The gathering was a happy reunion, as many artists hadn’t seen each other in years – some had never even met! “In all these years, this is the first time that Bow Wow and Chris Kelly have ever met,” announced Dupri during the dinner.
“Bow Wow is a product of Kris Kross, so the fact that we can bring everyone together like this means a lot.”
“This is my way of saying thank you for helping me build the So So Def empire,” continued Dupri. “This is a historical moment, so tonight I’m celebrating you. Sit back, relax…I’m gonna serve you. But enjoy it, because that will never happen again!”
The So So Def 20th Anniversary Concert is Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7:30pm the Fox Theatre Atlanta. Tickets can be purchased at FoxATLTix.com.
Check out more photos from both events below.
Stay Tuned.