‘Essence’ gala kicks off Oscars weekend with a celebration of black girl magic Sentiments of sisterhood filled the pre-Oscars event at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2lCS20d Honorees Issa Rae, Aja Naomi King, Yara Shahidi and Janelle Monae onstage at Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on Feb. 23, 2017 in Beverly Hills, Calif.