THE "2016 ESSENCE BLACK WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD AWARDS" TO AIR AS OWN PRIMETIME SPECIAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27

Star-Studded Event Features Honorees Tracee Ellis Ross, Debbie Allen and Nina Shaw with Appearances by Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, Nick Cannon, Ryan Coogler, Leon Bridges, Zendaya and More

Los Angeles - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and ESSENCE announced today the star-studded primetime television event, the "2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards," will air Saturday, February 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN. As one of the entertainment industry's preeminent ceremonies, which gathers annually during the week leading up to the Academy Awards, ESSENCE will spotlight the top African-American women who are pushing the limits, raising the bar and breaking through barriers in both film and television.

Click here for a first look (with embed code): www.oprah.com/essence

Airing for the second consecutive year, the special will feature exclusive backstage interviews, red-carpet highlights and intimate reflections from some of the most extraordinary African-American women in film and television. Honors at the ninth annual ceremony include powerhouse actress Tracee Ellis Ross (Fierce & Fearless Award); multi-talented producer, director and actress Debbie Allen (Legend Award); and entertainment attorney Nina Shaw (Lincoln Power Award). The event will also include a performance by acclaimed R&B artist Leon Bridges, as well as appearances by Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, Nick Cannon, Ryan Coogler, Zendaya and more. This year's event, held at the famed Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California honors the "The Power of our Presence."

"The 'ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards' have become one of the most celebrated occasions in Hollywood, providing a platform to showcase and elevate the achievements of African-American women in entertainment," said Sheri Salata, president, OWN. "We are honored to partner with ESSENCE for the second year in a row to bring this intimate and powerful event to television, recognizing these trailblazing women."

"We are pleased to once again partner with OWN to elevate the images of Black women in Hollywood," noted ESSENCE President Michelle Ebanks. "This Awards Season, as diversity in Hollywood dominates the conversation, ESSENCE is proud to continue the tradition of recognizing the talents and contributions of dynamic women such as Tracee Ellis Ross, Debbie Allen and Nina Shaw, who are on the leading edge of creating, performing and inspiring us all through their craft."

The special is produced by IMG. Visit Essence.com and Oprah.com/Essence for more information and join the conversation on social using #BlackWomenInHollywood

About OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey's heart and creative instincts inform the brand - and the magnetism of the channel. Winfrey provides leadership in programming and attracts superstar talent to join her in primetime, building a global community of like-minded viewers and leading that community to connect on social media and beyond. OWN is a singular destination on cable. Depth with edge. Heart. Star power. Connection. And endless possibilities. OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications. The network debuted on January 1, 2011 and is available in 85 million homes. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com. For more information, please visit http://www.oprah.com/own.

About Essence Communications Inc.:

Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media company dedicated to African-American women, with a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online. The company's flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the ESSENCE Festival, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood and Black Women in Music, Window on Our Women and Smart Beauty consumer insights series, the ESSENCE Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 45 years, ESSENCE, which has a brand reach of 14.2 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information and specific solutions relating to every area of African-American women's lives. Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at www.essence.com.