The seventh annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors ceremony will celebrate several prominent figures in entertainment, as well as the resilience of Altadena, a community impacted by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles. The event, hosted by Nice Crowd, will pay tribute to the residents of Altadena, highlighting their significant contributions to Black history and culture.
This year’s ceremony will recognize Keke Palmer, Giancarlo Esposito, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Aaron Pierre, and Marla Gibbs for their outstanding achievements across various fields, including arts, activism, and education. The evening will also emphasize the community of Altadena for its embodiment of strength, solidarity, and excellence.
Jeff and Nicole Friday, CEO and president of Nice Crowd, shared, “The Altadena community represents everything we honor at the ABFF – resilience, unity, and a commitment to excellence. This tribute aims to showcase Black achievement, inspire creativity, and support a vibrant cultural future.”
The intimate, non-televised dinner will take place on February 17 at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, with comedian Zainab Johnson, winner of the 2013 ABFF Comedy Wings competition, as the host.
Keke Palmer will receive the Renaissance Award for her groundbreaking work as an actor, producer, author, and advocate for diversity and inclusion. Palmer, best known for her roles in Nope and Turnt Up With the Taylors, recently launched her memoir Master of Me and starred alongside SZA in One of Them Days, which premiered in theaters on January 17.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Giancarlo Esposito will both receive the Excellence in the Arts Award, recognizing their exceptional careers and contributions to the arts. Ellis-Taylor, who earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Oracene Price in King Richard and multiple Emmy nominations for her roles in When They See Us and Lovecraft Country, continues to receive acclaim for her performance in the film adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Nickel Boys.
This year’s ABFF Honors will honor not only individual achievements but also the strength of a community that continues to thrive in the face of adversity.
Related topics:
