Lexus Uptown Honors Hollywood Celebrates Long-Standing, Black Cultural Innovators in Film and TV

*Note: This version corrects the statement that Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood were creators of “Genius: MLK/X.” They had the vision for this season and served as executive producers.

Lexus Uptown Honors Hollywood Celebrates Long-Standing, Black Cultural Innovators in Film and TV

Industry Legends Niecy Nash, Kim Fields, Tisha Campbell, Essence Atkins, Reggie Rock Bythewood, and Gina Prince-Bythewood to be Recognized for Longevity and Innovation

LOS ANGELES, March 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Luxury car brand Lexus and UPTOWN magazine announce the return of Lexus UPTOWN Honors Hollywood, a highly anticipated event that will salute cultural innovators in film and television who have made positive impacts on the portrayal of Black people through their remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry. The event will take place on Wednesday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the Sunset Room in Hollywood.

During the height of awards season, this gathering spotlights creatives who are often overlooked and may have otherwise been shut out from receiving accolades for their accomplishments.

“Lexus UPTOWN Honors Hollywood is a celebration of excellence, resilience, and creativity,” said David Telfer, senior manager, advertising, and media for Lexus. “This year’s awards are especially important as we laud these often unsung icons who persist in the business and continue to create inclusive, empowering, and relevant content for today’s audiences.”

Lexus UPTOWN Honors Hollywood reaffirms the commitment of both Lexus and UPTOWN magazine to amplify diverse voices and celebrate the rich tapestry of talent within the Black creative community.

Among the distinguished honorees are:

• Niecy Nash is a well-known figure in the entertainment industry. She rose to fame after playing the role of Deputy Raineesha Williams in the TV show “Reno 911” in 2003. Nash is a multi-talented person who has worked as an actor, author, producer, and director. She recently won a Primetime Emmy Award for her brilliant performance as Glenda Cleveland in the Netflix movie “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” Nash will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the upcoming GLAAD Media Award ceremony in Los Angeles later in March.
   
• Kim Fields is an actress, director, and producer. Acting since the age of five, she is most recognized for her roles in popular TV shows such as “The Facts of Life” and “Living Single.” Over the years, she has expanded her talents to directing and producing. Most recently, she has applied those skills, in addition to playing the female lead, to the successful Netflix comedy, “The Upshaws”.
   
• Tisha Campbell is a Hollywood powerhouse who started her career as a child actor. This year marks 50 years in the business. She is known for her versatility and being a triple threat as an actress, singer, and dancer. Her most famous role is that of “Gina” in the iconic, hit TV series “Martin” as well as roles in the classic films “School Daze” and “Boomerang”.
   
• Essence Atkins has had a successful career as an actress, starting as a teenager in TV shows such as “The Cosby Show” and “Family Matters.” She has since become a well-known performer, leaving a lasting impression on the industry with her roles in sitcoms like “Half & Half” and “Marlon.”
   
• Reggie Rock Bythewood is an acclaimed multihyphenate filmmaker, creator, showrunner, and director. He serves as the creator and showrunner of the Apple TV+ series “Swagger.” Bythewood began his professional writing career for the hit comedy series, “A Different World.” Years later, after attending the Million Man March, he wrote the script for his first produced screenplay, “Get On The Bus.”  His numerous other credits include “Biker Boys,” “New York Undercover,” “Dancing in September,” and “Notorious.”  Additionally, he Co-Created and Executed Produced the acclaimed event series, “Shots Fired,” with his wife, Gina Prince-Bythewood. Most recently they served as Executive Producers on “Genius: MLK/X,” the acclaimed anthology series focusing on iconic civil rights geniuses Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X exploring their formative years with their formidable wives, Coretta Scott King and Betty Shabazz, by their sides.
• Gina Prince-Bythewood is an award-winning director/writer/producer who is one on of the most versatile storytellers working in film and television.  Known for her authentic character-driven work, she has written and directed such influential films as “Love & Basketball,” “The Secret Life of Bees,” and “Beyond The Lights.”  Her most recent directorial feature was the acclaimed epic, “The Woman King.”  Other credits include the special event series “Shots Fired,” which she and her husband Reggie Rock Bythewood served as Series Co-Creators and Executive Producers.   She and Bythewood most recently served as Executive Producers on the acclaimed anthology series “Genius: MLK/X.”

These exceptional individuals have not only stood the test of time but have also been instrumental in shaping the landscape of film and television, particularly in championing positive representation of Black individuals on screen.

The invitation-only affair, scheduled during Oscar week, will take place on Wednesday, March 6, at the Sunset Room located at 1439 N. Ivar Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. Festivities will commence with the red carpet opening at 6:00 p.m., followed by the main event starting at 7:00 p.m. An exclusive after-party will follow from 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

For more information about Lexus UPTOWN Honors Hollywood, please reach out to the media contacts below.

About Lexus
Lexus’ passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 245 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With seven models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers eight F SPORT models, one F performance model and one F model. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.
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About UPTOWN Magazine
Founded in 2004, UPTOWN Magazine celebrates the luxury lifestyle of professional and influential urban consumers across the country by creating a national magazine with city-specific editions in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, D.C., and Charlotte. Our editorial content, promotion, and brand extensions communicate the appeal of a luxury lifestyle with an authoritative voice and sophisticated design. Editorial content highlights the best in real estate, automotive, fashion & jewelry, health & beauty, travel & leisure, food & wine, sports, and entertainment & culture. It also includes provocative profiles of the tastemakers that represent this audience.
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SOURCE Lexus