Essence Honors Zoe Saldana, Mary J. Blige and Queen Latifah

[All photos by Andreas Branch for PMc.] On the eve of the Oscar's, Essence Magazine honored four remarkable women for their work in Hollywood: Zoe Saldana, Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah and Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe at a luncheon yesterday in the Beverly Hills Hotel.

The 3rd annual luncheon was particularly special this year, as it falls on the 40th Anniversary of the magazine. This annual event honors four women who have worked towards presenting a positive image of Black women in Hollywood. The star studded event brought out many familiar faces, including Jada Pinkett Smith, Serena Williams, Common, Joy Bryant, James Cameron (who presented the Rising Star award to Saldana), Taraji P Henson and Viola Davis.

Mary J. Blige                                     Gabourey Sidibe

Jada Pinkett Smith                               Serena Williams

Common                                           Joy Bryant

Taraji P Henson                            ?, Steve Harvey

Garcelle Beauvais Nilon                   Shaun Robinson

Viola Davis                                      Anika Noni Rose

Queen Latifah                                    Keri Hilson