The Black Women on Broadway Awards has revealed the honorees for its fourth annual celebration, which will take place June 2 at CURRENT at Chelsea Piers in New York City. The ceremony will spotlight three exceptional women whose artistry, leadership, and legacy continue to shape and inspire the Broadway community: LaTanya Richardson Jackson, LaChanze, and Khaila Wilcoxon.
Jackson will receive the Audra McDonald Legacy Award, which recognizes an artist who has a significant theatrical career and industry achievements. A celebrated actress, director, and trailblazer, two-time Tony nominated Jackson has made an undeniable impact on the American theatre with work marked by depth, integrity, and cultural resonance. She currently stars on Broadway in the critically-hailed new play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Purpose, for which she recently received a Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Performance. As a director, she made history as the first woman to direct an August Wilson play on Broadway with the Tony-nominated revival of The Piano Lesson. Her journey in theatre began at her alma mater Spelman College, where she and her husband recently opened the LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Samuel L. Jackson Performing Arts Center. With decades of contributions to stage and screen, her artistry and leadership exemplify the enduring spirit of the Audra McDonald Legacy Award.
LaChanze will receive the Kathy A. Perkins Behind The Curtain Award, which recognizes an artist whose work backstage shines brightest on stage. Tony winning artist LaChanze has emerged as a powerful force behind the scenes on Broadway. With a career that has spanned nearly 40 Broadway seasons, LaChanze is committed to producing theatre that transforms, transcends and inspires. As the founder of LaChanze Productions, she has produced critically acclaimed works including Topdog/Underdog, Kimberly Akimbo, Here Lies Love, Jaja鈥檚 African Hair Braiding, The Outsiders, and Buena Vista Social Club, collectively earning numerous Tony nominations and wins. In 2025, she made her NYC directorial debut with Wine in the Wilderness at Classic Stage Company. Her visionary leadership and impact backstage exemplify the spirit of the Kathy A. Perkins Behind The Curtain Award.
Wilcoxon will receive the Florence Mills Shining Star Award, which recognizes an early-career talent or a rising artist whose brilliance is just beginning to be widely seen. A dynamic performer with undeniable presence, Wilcoxon's powerful voice, commanding stage presence, and magnetic energy can currently be seen in Redwood on Broadway. Wilcoxon is a shining embodiment of the promise celebrated by the Florence Mills Shining Star Award.
鈥淲e are delighted to host the fourth annual Black Women on Broadway Awards to honor and celebrate the achievements of Black women in theatre,鈥� said co-founders Danielle Brooks, Amber Iman and Jocelyn Bioh. 鈥淭his year, we are proud to honor these three incredibly talented and hardworking women, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, LaChanze, and Khaila Wilcoxon, for all that they have accomplished both on and Off-Broadway.鈥�
Since its inception in 2019, Black Women on Broadway鈥檚 goal as an organization has been to uplift and celebrate the accomplishments of Black women who work in theatre both on and off Broadway through free mentorship and fellowship programs.The Black Women on Broadway Awards is an annual celebration dedicated to honoring the achievements and amplifying the voices of Black women in the theatre industry. The organization held their debut event in June 2020 and is led by Oscar and Tony nominee Danielle Brooks, Tony nominee Amber Iman and Tony nominee Jocelyn Bioh.
