Something spiritual happens when Black people gather, even when faced with the unbearable and unthinkable. That moment found its way to Hollywood when the best of the best descended upon the SLS Hotel Beverly Hills for the 2025 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors . It was a star-studded night with many of Black Hollywood’s illustrious figures, including this year’s honorees: Keke Palmer, Aaron Pierre , Giancarlo Esposito, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylo r and Marla Gibbs. In its seventh installment, ABFF Honors’ commitment to uplifting our community shined brighter than ever, kicking off the night with a rendition of Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers’ “The Best Is Yet to Come” led by Pasadena’s Victoria Bible Church Choir. The moment was used to acknowledge the residents in Altadena, California, the historically Black neighborhood significantly impacted by January’s Eaton Fire. With everyone on their feet singing along to the timely gospel track, the tone for the night was...
