ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon honoring the industry's most exciting African-American talent--both in front of the camera and behind-the-scenes in Hollywood. Taking place on February 23, 2012 at the Beverly Hills Hotel, ESSENCE will celebrate five extraordinary women who have left an indelible impression with their work within the film and television industries: Kerry Washington (Vanguard Award), Octavia Spencer (Breakthrough Performance), Pam Grier (Legend Award), Paula Patton (Shining Star Award) and Shonda Rhimes (Visionary Award presented by Lincoln). This star-studded event commemorates ESSENCE magazine's annual Hollywood issue and in honor of the fifth anniversary, Essence.com is giving fans exclusive access to all the red-carpet celebrity style, action and interviews via live stream from 11:30am to 12:30pm PST and re-airing that evening at 9:00pm EST

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ESSENCE, the number one media brand aimed at African-American women, is honoring 'Simply the Best' Black actresses in Hollywood with its annual Oscar-week soiree.

Cast Members Alex Kingston, Anthony Edwards, Linda Cardellini, Ellen Crawford, Laura Innes, Kellie Martin, Mekhi Phifer, Parminder Nagra, Shane West and Yvette Freeman Among the Stars to Accept Award LOS ANGELES, April 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical drama "ER" has been added as an honoree at the "2009 TV Land Awards," it was announced today.

By ERIC DEGGANS By Eric Deggans St. Petersburg Times WHEN FILM ACTRESS Angela Bassett was considering a substantial role on NBC's long-running medical drama, "ER," she particularly remembers one actor encouraging her to make the move: castmate Mekhi Phifer.

By Chuck Barney In 1994, the year "ER" came racing down the hallway and bursting onto our television screens, Hillary Clinton was the first lady. Gas sold for just over a dollar a gallon. No one had an iPod wired to their ears. And George Clooney had yet to sprout that very weird beard.