UPDATE: The seventh annual American Black Movie Pageant (ABFF) Honors ceremony has pivoted within the wake of the wildfires that devastated Los Angeles to incorporate a particular tribute to the group of Altadena, celebrating its residents and their extraordinary contributions to Black historical past and tradition.
Along with saluting the night’s particular honorees — Keke Palmer, Giancarlo Esposito, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Aaron Pierre and Marla Gibbs — the ceremony, introduced by Good Crowd, will highlight trailblazers whose contributions have considerably influenced the humanities, activism, training, enterprise and social panorama of the state of California and past.
“The group of Altadena embodies what we have fun on the American Black Movie Pageant – power, solidarity and dedication to excellence,” stated Jeff and Nicole Friday, CEO and president of Good Crowd, respectively. “By honoring the enduring spirit of this historic group, we intention to showcase Black achievement, encourage creativity, and foster unwavering assist for a vibrant cultural future. This tribute is a testomony to perseverance and collective effort, and we’re proud to uplift Altadena’s story as a supply of inspiration for generations to come back.”
The intimate, non-televised dinner might be held on Feb. 17 on the SLS resort in Beverly Hills, hosted by Zainab Johnson, winner of the 2013 ABFF Comedy Wings competitors.
Palmer will obtain the Renaissance award, which is introduced to a “trendsetting content material creator in recognition of their excellent work and dedication to championing range, fairness, and inclusion” via their work. The Emmy-winning actor (“Nope,” “Turnt Up With the Taylors”), producer, creator and host just lately celebrated the launch of her memoir “Grasp of Me” and starring reverse SZA in “Considered one of Them Days,” which hit theaters on Jan. 17.
Ellis-Taylor and Esposito will settle for ABFF’s Excellence within the Arts awards, which acknowledge extremely acclaimed artists for his or her physique of labor and distinguished profession achievements. After incomes her first Oscar nomination for portraying tennis icons Venus and Serena Williams’ mom Oracene Value in 2021’s “King Richard,” plus Emmy nominations for “When They See Us” and “Lovecraft Nation,” Ellis-Taylor is garnering essential popularity of her newest position, starring within the movie adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Nickel Boys.”
Emmy nominee Esposito is finest identified for his iconic position as Gustavo “Gus” Fring in “Breaking Dangerous” and “Higher Name Saul.” Subsequent 12 months, he provides to his stellar resume (additionally together with “The Ordinary Suspects,” “Do the Proper Factor,” “The Mandalorian” and “The Boys”) with a trio of latest tasks: “Captain America: Courageous New World,” the Russo Brothers’ “The Electrical State” and Shonda Rhimes’ “The Residence.”
“For many years, these unimaginable ABFF honorees have captivated audiences and formed the cultural panorama with their groundbreaking work,” acknowledged the Fridays. “It’s a privilege to honor Aunjanue, Giancarlo and Keke for his or her extraordinary contributions to each the business and our shared tradition.”
5-time Emmy nominee and eight-time NAACP Picture Award winner Gibbs will obtain the Hollywood Legacy award, whereas Pierre will obtain the Rising Star award.
“Marla’s groundbreaking profession has impressed numerous aspiring actors and creatives, leaving an indelible mark on the leisure business along with her expertise, grace, and dedication,” acknowledged the Fridays. “We’re equally delighted to acknowledge Aaron Pierre, a rising star whose highly effective performances exemplify the following era of storytelling excellence.”
Gibbs is finest identified for her iconic position as Florence on “The Jeffersons,” adopted by the basic NBC sitcom “227,” which she co-created and govt produced. Her profession has spanned movie, tv, and music, with notable roles in “The Go to,” “Lily in Winter,” “101 Dalmations,” “ER,” “Chilly Case,” “King of Queens” and her personal album, “It’s By no means Too Late.” A passionate advocate for the humanities, Gibbs revived the legendary Los Angeles jazz supper membership, dubbed Marla’s Reminiscence Lane and co-founded Crossroads Theater and Appearing College.
Pierre has captivated the business with standout performances within the hit Netflix thriller “Insurgent Ridge” and voicing the enduring Mufasa in Barry Jenkins’ “The Lion King” prequel for Disney. He additionally starred in Jenkins’ acclaimed Prime Video sequence “The Underground Railroad” and portrayed Malcolm X in Nat Geo’s “Genius: MLK/X,” in addition to standout turns in Clement Virgo’s “Brother,” Garth Davis’ “Foe” and M. Evening Shyamalan’s “Previous.” Pierre will subsequent be seen as John Stewart in DC Studios and Max’s sequence “Lanterns” and in season 4 of “The Morning Present” for Apple TV+.
Based in 2016, ABFF Honors is devoted to recognizing excellence within the movement image and TV business and furthers the mission of the American Black Movie Pageant, which was based by Jeff Friday in 1997 to showcase Black storytelling.
Earlier honorees embrace Taraji P. Henson, Jeffrey Wright, Garrett Morris and Mara Brock Akil (who had been feted on the 2024 gala), in addition to Denzel Washington, Ava DuVernay, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Courtney B. Vance, Charles D. King, Janelle Monáe, Tiffany Haddish, Ryan Coogler, Don Cheadle, Will Packer, Queen Latifah, Lena Waithe, Terrence Howard, F. Gary Grey, Issa Rae, Diahann Carroll, Billy Dee Williams, Omari Hardwick and the late Louis Gossett, Jr.
ABFF Honors is govt produced by Nicole and Jeff Friday for Good Crowd in affiliation with dePasse Jones Leisure and Rikki Hughes for Magic Lemonade.
