Recording artist Jordin Sparks attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Tatyana Ali attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Actress Jennifer Beals attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Actress Jurnee Smollett attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Actress Niecy Nash attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Laila Ali attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Actress Anika Noni-Rose attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Recording artist Jill Scott attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Actress Kim Wayans attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Actress Tracee Ellis Ross attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Actress Paula Patton attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Recording artist Kelly Rowland attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Actress Sharon Leal attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Actress Kerry Washington attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Actress Pam Grier attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Actress Viola Davis attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Actress Octavia Spencer attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Actress Nicole Ari Parker attends the 5th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Yesterday, in Beverly Hills, California, Essence magazine honored some of the most influential African-American women in Hollywood at the 5th annual Essence Women in Hollywood Luncheon. Stars like Kelly Rowland, Paula Patton and Tracee Ellis Ross came dressed to impress and looked radiant on the red carpet. In honor of the late Whitney Houston, singer Jordin Sparks sang “Look Into Your Heart.” This song will appear on the soundtrack of the film Sparkle, which stars Sparks and Houston. Amongst those being honored this year were: Octavia Spencer, Pam Grier and Kerry Washington.
