LaTanya Richardson Encourages Staying Woke at Essence Luncheon

LaTanya Richardson, wife of Samuel L. Jackson, addressed an audience of Hollywood figures at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon on Thursday, urging them to “stay woke.”

During the event, where she was honored, Richardson emphasized the importance of awareness and action, stating, “Wake up, stay woke, because we who believe in freedom will not rest until it comes.”

Richardson accepted the honor alongside other distinguished personalities, including Kerry Washington and the stars of “Sinners,” at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

She shared advice with the guests, declaring, “Work hard, I can’t reiterate that enough.” She elaborated, urging everyone to put in effort to truly understand their business and to be courageous enough to pursue the extraordinary.

“This is really going to sound deep, but think about it. Learn the language of the invisible so that your presence always speaks,” she suggested to her fellow honorees.

Essence celebrated Richardson’s achievements in a social media post, highlighting her groundbreaking role as the first woman to direct an August Wilson play on Broadway and her contributions to the arts at Spelman College, noting her commitment to “authenticity over approval.”

LaTanya’s extensive career includes work across Broadway, television, and film. She received a Tony nomination for her performance in “A Raisin in the Sun” in 2014 and has been married to her husband, the acclaimed Samuel L. Jackson, for over 45 years.