I would have said "yes" to nearly excuse to head to Los Angeles this winter. It's one of my favorite cities. But i SCREAMED "YES!" when Lincoln invited me out West to celebrate Essence's annual Black Women in Hollywood event. I've always wanted to go!
Lincoln kicked off the festivities at Sadie with a intimate dinner for Black Women in Hollywood honoree, Attorney Nina Shaw. Shaw, who was being honored the following day with the Lincoln Power Award, is on the business end of entertainment, closing deals for a roster of clients that reads like Hollywood's Who's Who. Nick Cannon? Jamie Foxx? Lupita Nyong'o? Maybe you've heard of them? LOL.
The night was hosted by Bevy Smith aka "Mutha" aka Leader of Lambs. ("Lamb" is her pet name for her legion of mentees.)
Attorney Nina Shaw and hostess Bevy Smith
Shaw was gloriously gracious, offering frank advice for navigating Hollywood as a Black woman. And so humble. She admitted she'd been up all night working on her speech for the awards dinner and still wasn't done! She even seemed a bit nervous. (Because I'm writing this a week later, I can tell you: she nailed it! And then some!)
A few flicks from the festivities:
Bevy Smith introduces the night's honoree, Nina Shaw.
Dinner with Lincoln is served! Those biscuits and that honey butter were the business!
After dinner, I snapped a pic with my blogger buddy Necole Kane from XO Necole.
And there were a few more familiar faces in the room:
Bevy Smith, Emil Wilbiken, and Miss Lawrence
In general, I don't fan out of celebs (I will, however, totally freak out over other writers). The exception is when it's someone I grew up watching. I saw New Jack City opening weekend with my older cousin (I know, totally inappropriate, but that's what older cousins are for). Walking into dinner and seeingVanessa A. Williams aka "Keisha" standing there, floored me. She's a total sweetheart, and punch pretty. As gorgeous as she looks in the pic below, it doesn't do her justice. She's a glow-er.
Actress Vanessa A. Williams and hostess Bevy Smith
Oh, and dinner was YUM! We noshed on biscuits and honey butter, and LA staple, chicken and waffles and more!
A quick selfie of me on the way to the event! I was so running late, but at least Lincoln got be there safe and sound!
