Gugu Mbatha-Raw wins Lincoln's coveted award at Black Women in Hollywood

By Yvette Caslin
Feb 21, 2015
11:16 am

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 19: Essence Communications President Michelle Ebanks, Lincoln's Shawn Thompson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Lincoln's Dave Rivers, and Essence editor-in-chief Vanessa De Luca attends at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on February 19, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup) — BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEB. 19: Essence Communications President Michelle Ebanks, Lincoln’s Shawn Thompson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Lincoln’s Dave Rivers, and Essence editor-in-chief Vanessa De Luca attends at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on February 19, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)

Lincoln Motor Company was presenting sponsor of ESSENCE’s eighth annual Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon in Beverly Hills on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. The 2015 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood honored outstanding women in television and film industry, while Selma star David Oyelowo co-presented the Lincoln Breakthrough Award to actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Belle, Beyond the Lights).

During her humble acceptance speech, Mbatha-Raw questioned if she deserved such an honor, “I am Black and White and British, not African American. … I feel a responsibility on my shoulders.”

The event was attended by other notables in the industry including, Common, Laverne Cox, Viola Davis, Ava DuVernay, Uzo Aduba, Mara Brock Akil, who presented the Fierce & Fearless Award to Regina King; Essence’s cover girl Tracee Ellis Ross (March 2015), Shonda Rhimes. Singer Kelly Rowland looked adorable in an off white lace short set, showing off her fabulous post-baby body. She trains with celebrity fitness expert Jeannette Jenkins and it is paying off.

Essence Black Women in Hollywood will air for the first time ever during an OWN special and will be hosted by Tracey Edmonds and Shemar Moore, the special will air on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 10 p.m. EST.

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