By EEW Magazine Online // Black Love

The normalization of Black love on television and in films is something to celebrate because representation matters.

Just days before Hollywood's biggest night, some of the entertainment industry's most influential Black couples gathered at the 2022 "Lexus Uptown Honors Hollywood" to celebrate healthy melanated couples on big and small screens.

"Lexus Uptown Honors Hollywood: Celebrating Black Love" was hosted at the Sunset Room in West Hollywood by Uptown Ventures, parent company of UPTOWN magazine. The annual pre-Oscar gala celebrates extraordinary contributions Black people have made to the entertainment industry.

This year, Uptown recognized artists and producers who show the world the nuances, complexities, beauty and power of Black love, on and off-screen.

"Our honorees bring to life the most fascinating and complex characters in film, television and on stage. They are innovators in filmmaking and powerbrokers in advancing diversity in Hollywood," said Len Burnett, co-CEO and co-founder of Uptown Ventures, during the event.

"Each have contributed to changing the way Hollywood portrays Black people in love. The road hasn't been easy, but they persevered, and we're honored to celebrate them and encourage them to keep doing the work,” added Burnett.

Among the honorees were Anthony Anderson for his positive portrayal of the upper-middle class husband, "Andre Johnson" on the ABC-TV sitcom, "Black-ish"; Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, for both on and off-screen chemistry, love, and inspiration, as the real-life couple has been married nearly 17 years; Chris and Vanessa Rodriguez Spencer, award-winning producer, comedian, actor and writer and casting agent, respectively, for their efforts to create more opportunities for diverse talent and tell more positive stories about people of color in TV and film; Actor Dondre and producer, director and actress Salli Richardson Whitfield for their commitment to blaze trails and pave the way for generations to come through their artistic talents; and Jeff and Nicole Friday, founders of the American Black Film Festival for their efforts to create a platform for Black creatives in the film industry to showcase their work and network "in a way Hollywood wouldn't”; and filmmakers and producers, Tommy and Codie Elaine Oliver for their creation of the OWN Network docuseries, "Black Love" which brought to life Black couples in a deeply authentic way

Posthumous honors went to actors Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, the legendary couple who inspired fans and Black America with their outstanding performances on-screen and unwavering commitment to fighting racism through art and activism until their deaths. Also, actors Sidney Poitier and Diahann Carroll were recognized for their portrayals of "Connie" and "Eddie,” two Black people falling in love in the most romantic city in the world in the 1961 film, "Paris Blues."

"Black love on TV and film has a complicated history. It has taken more than 100 years to regularly see Black people engage romantically, and positively, in visual media," said Brett Wright, co-CEO and co-founder of Uptown Ventures. "This year's honorees show us the soul of Black love on and off-screen. Their work is not only inspiring to people of color; it changes how society sees us, as couples and families. They deserve to be celebrated."

Lexus has been the presenting sponsor of Uptown Honors Hollywood for the event's entire 10 years of existence.