http://www.kiwithebeauty.com

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 08: Rechelle Dennis attends the 2024 ESSENCE Hollywood House on March 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

The fifth annual ESSENCE Hollywood House made its grand return to Los Angeles, showcasing an array of the film and television industry’s leading figures and executives.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 08: Skye Townsend attends the 2024 ESSENCE Hollywood House on March 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Under the hosting expertise of Skye Townsend, the event was dedicated to arming the community with essential tools and knowledge to navigate the industry’s most pressing challenges.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 08: A general view of the 2024 ESSENCE Hollywood House on March 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Participants enjoyed a variety of entry points into the entertainment world, from complimentary mini-makeovers and headshot sessions to a 30-second elevator pitch booth and even a simulated film set, among other attractions. The day was packed with panel discussions, intimate fireside chats, and speed mentoring opportunities, all centered around vital topics for those passionate about film and television that included:

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 08: (L-R) Mikki Taylor and Da’Vine Joy Randolph attend the 2024 ESSENCE Hollywood House on March 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Fireside Chat with Da’Vine Joy Randolph

A peek inside the highs and lows of the entertainment industry and how to stay authentically true to yourself with Oscar-winner and Golden Globe, SAG, and BAFTA award winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers) and former ESSENCE editor & author Mikki Taylor.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 08: (L-R) Elsa Majimbo, Nandi Howard and Grace Africa attends the 2024 ESSENCE Hollywood House on March 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Partner in Prime

A talk moderated by Nandi Howard (Vice President of Content & Senior Content Director, Essence Ventures) with Grace Africa (2022 TikTok Trailblazer) and Elsa Majimbo (Comedian) on how sisterhood plays an important role in their lives and success in the entertainment industry.

Fashion x Film: Careers in Fashion Design

 A look inside the creative process that drives the art of costume design with Dominique Dawson (Actressm Origin) and Tanja Caldwell (Usher’s 2024 Super Bowl halftime performance).

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 08: (L-R) Osas Ighodaro, Barkue Tubman Zawolo and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi attend the 2024 ESSENCE Hollywood House on March 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Black on Screen: A Global Dialogue

 A conversation about maintaining authenticity both in front of and behind the camera with Barkue Tubman-Zawolo (Chief of Staff, Diasporic & Talent Engagement, ESSENCE Ventures), Phylicia Pearl Mpasi (Actress, The Color Purple), Osas Ighodaro (Actress, Man of God), and Ozi Menakaya (Film & TV Agent at Creative Artists Agency).

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 08: (L-R) Rechelle Dennis, Zaria, Laya DeLeon Hayes and Da’Vinchi speak onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Hollywood House on March 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Slated to Shine: Fresh Faces of Black Hollywood

The truth about the life and times of being  young, Black, and gifted in Hollywood Today with Co-Fonder of ESSENCE Girls United Rechelle Dennis, Da’Vinchi (STARZ BMF) and Layla DeLeon Hayes (The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster).

Producers Lane: The Ins and Outs of Production at Every Level: A deep dive into the world of production and the work behind every title with Olivia Charmaine (Morris) Bernardez (Netflix animated feature films) and Korin D. Williams (Kronicle Media) .

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 08: (L-R) Claudia Logan, Stephanie Dunivan and DomiNque Perry attend the 2024 ESSENCE Hollywood House on March 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Cast Talkback Diarra From Detroit:  Stephanie Dunivan

(Vice President of Branded Content & Video, ESSENCE Ventures) leads a profound discussion with Diarra Kilpatrick (BET’s Diarra From Detroit), DomiNque Perry (Actress, Insecure), and Claudia Logan (Actress, The Equalizer) offering a sneak peak of their upcoming BET+ series, Diarra From Detroit, debuting on March 21st.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 08: Da’Vine Joy Randolph attends the 2024 ESSENCE Hollywood House on March 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 08: Phylicia Pearl Mpasi attends the 2024 ESSENCE Hollywood House on March 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 08: Da’Vinchi attends the 2024 ESSENCE Hollywood House on March 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 08: Laya DeLeon Hayes attends the 2024 ESSENCE Hollywood House on March 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 08: Skye Townsend attends the 2024 ESSENCE Hollywood House on March 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Other notable celebrities, influencers and special guests in attendance included, but not limited to: 

Marley Dias (Author, Marley Dias Gets it Done And So Can You)

Official Minks (Influencer, Actor)

Erika Bryant (Showrunner, Secrets & Sisterhood: The Sozahdahs)

Courtney Burrell (Tyler Perry’s A Madea Family Funeral)

Zane Hubbard (Emmy-winning Producer, Director, and Writer)

To catch all of the exciting moments and highlights from this year’s event, please check out the video-on-demand of the 2024 ESSENCE Hollywood House on ESSENCE.com HERE