Essence to honour the outstanding accomplishments of black men in cinema

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Essence is known for honouring black women, but during Oscar week, they’ll also be lauding the accomplishments of African-American men in film.

The magazine is launching its first “Black Men in Hollywood” dinner, an intimate affair that will salute the work of Spike Lee, Lee Daniels, Malcolm Lee and filmmaker Tyler Perry, who will host the event.

The California Endowment’s “Sons and Brothers” campaign, which acknowledges role models for young men of colour, will also be recognized.

Honorees will gather on Feb. 26 in Los Angeles on the eve of Essence’s annual Black Women in Hollywood luncheon, which returns to Beverly Hills to recognize best supporting actress nominee Lupita Nyong’o for “12 Years a Slave,” Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs and writer-director Ava DuVernay.