Black Stars Who Slayed the Red Carpet at ABFF Honors 2025: Aaron Pierre, Keke Palmer and Others

Our favorite Black celebs took over the teal carpet with immaculate looks. Let’s take a look!

Photo: Getty Images Kayla Oaddams/WireImage

The 2025 American Black Film Festival Honors celebrated the best and brightest in Black cinema on Monday and a handful of our favorite stars were there to commemorate the momentous occasion.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Nicholas Duvernay Talks ‘White Lotus’ Season 3, Working with Natasha Rothwell

Some of those famous faces included “Mufasa” star Aaron Pierre, “Nickel Boys” star Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, “One of Those Days” star Keke Palmer, “Captain America” star Giancarlo Esposito, Ava DuVernay and more.

But aside from the moving speeches and well-deserved awards, one of the highlights of the night was undoubtedly the red carpet that was home to a handful of gorgeous gowns and stunning suits and ties. And because we know you all like to indulge in all the fabulous fashions like we do, keep reading to see some of out favorite looks!

Aaron Pierre

Aaron Pierre attends the 7th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors at SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California Photo: Getty Images Frazer Harrison

“Rising Star” recipient Aaron Pierre that’s Mufasa kept things cool in a silver ensemble for the event.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer attends 7th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors at SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Kayla Oaddams/WireImage

“One of Them Days” star and “Renaissance Award” recipient Keke Palmer strutted her stuff in Balmain on the teal carpet.

Marla Gibbs

Marla Gibbs attends 7th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors at SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Kayla Oaddams/WireImage

“227″ legend and “Hollywood Legacy” recipient Marla Gibbs brought the royal vibes to the function in her sparkly purple overcoat.

Anthony Mackie and Giancarlo Esposito

Anthony Mackie, left and Giancarlo Esposito at the 7th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors held at the SLS Hotel on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Gilbert Flores/Variety

“Captain America: Brave New World” stars Anthony Mackie (left) and “Excellence in the Arts” recipient Giancarlo Esposito looked dapper as they stopped for photographs on the teal carpet.

Tika Sumpter

Tika Sumpter attends 7th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors at SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Kayla Oaddams/WireImage

A plunging neckline and a thigh-high split made Tika Sumpter’s all black look elevate that much more.

Bresha Webb

Bresha Webb attends 7th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors at SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Kayla Oaddams/WireImage

“Run the World” star Bresha Web shut the carpet down with her sequined red ensemble.

Salli Richardson Whitfield

Salli Richardson Whitfield attends 7th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors at SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Kayla Oaddams/WireImage

Much like Bresha Webb, Salli Richardson Whitfield stunned in red and brought the heat to the carpet.

Lance and Rebecca Gross

Lance Gross and Rebecca Gross attends 7th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors at SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Kayla Oaddams/WireImage

Lance and Rebecca Gross served major #couplegoals vibes with their brown and orange fits, respectively.

Yvette Nicole Brown

Yvette Nicole Brown attends 7th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors at SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Kayla Oaddams/WireImage

Yvette Nicole Brown brought the fabulous florals in winter time to the ABFF carpet.

LisaRaye McCoy

LisaRaye McCoy attends 7th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors at SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Kayla Oaddams/WireImage

LisaRaye McCoy sparkled on the teal carpet in a silver/periwinkle look.

Diarra Kilpatrick

Diarra Kilpatrick attends the 7th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors at SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Frazer Harrison

“Diarra From Detroit” creator Diarra Kilpatrick kept it simple with a black dress with an off-the-shoulder moment.

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor attends 7th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors at SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Kayla Oaddams/WireImage

“Nickel Boys” star and “Excellence in the Arts” recipient Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor shined in her a classic suit and tie fit.

Loretta Devine

Loretta Devine attends 7th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors at SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Kayla Oaddams/WireImage

Icon Loretta Devine brought silver vibes to the function with her sequined ensemble.

Boots Riley

Boots Riley at the 7th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors held at the SLS Hotel on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Gilbert Flores/Variety

“I’m a Virgo” director Boots Riley showed up and made a statement on the teal carpet in a multi-colored plaid suit.

Quin Walters

Quin Walters attends the 7th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors at SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Frazer Harrison

The “Madea’s Family Funeral” star stunned in a sparkly black grown and matching strappy heels.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

15 Creepy Ways Life Has Changed Since Trump's Second Term Began

15 Creepy Ways Life Has Changed Since Trump’s Second Term Began

Here’s 15 creepy ways the world has change in just one year– aka ways the world has change under Trump 2.0 …
Amy Dubois Barnett and More Influential Black Leaders and Celebs Share 100 Life-Changing Lessons

Amy Dubois Barnett and More Influential Black Leaders and Celebs Share 100 Life-Changing Lessons

The Root Exclusive Series: Black History Month was established 100 years ago, in February 1926. To commemorate this momentous occasion, 100 Black thought leaders and creators share their collective wisdom and insight for the culture in this ongoing series …
Cardi B and the Department of Homeland Security are Beefing and It's Wild!

Cardi B and the Department of Homeland Security are Beefing and It’s Wild!

Cardi B has never shied away from using social media to air out her issues with various people. And now ICE is the latest entity to be involved! …
What Depression-Era Tips Can Teach Us In a 2026 Economy

What Depression-Era Tips Can Teach Us In a 2026 Economy

Our grandparents and great-grandparents made a dollar out of fifteen cents in tough times and their habits can help us get through a shaky economy …
How Are Millennials, Gen Z Finding Love in 2026? We've Got Answers

How Are Millennials, Gen Z Finding Love in 2026? We’ve Got Answers

As Valentine’s Day 2026 approaches, we’re diving into the current state of millennial and Gen Z dating …
Nick Cannon’s Baby Mama Opens Up About Her Relationship With the Other Mothers—and It’s Not What You’d Expect

Nick Cannon’s Baby Mama Opens Up About Her Relationship With the Other Mothers—and It’s Not What You’d Expect

The real dynamics of how Nick Cannon splits his time with his kids and the affect it has on one of the mother’s of his children is finally being put on blast! …
This Suburban Chicago City Made History With Black Reparations -- Now, It's Pay Day

This Suburban Chicago City Made History With Black Reparations — Now, It’s Pay Day

One Illinois city has started a plan to close the racial wealth gap, making reparations payments to Black residents …
J. Cole Is Popping Up at HBCUs— And Nobody Knows Where He’s Heading Next

J. Cole Is Popping Up at HBCUs— And Nobody Knows Where He’s Heading Next

J. Cole has been literally pulling up to fans on HBCU campuses to celebrate the release of “The Fall Off.” Could your school be next? …
WATCH: Blue Ivy Continues Adorable Super Bowl Tradition– This Time With Her Little Sister Rumi!

WATCH: Blue Ivy Continues Adorable Super Bowl Tradition– This Time With Her Little Sister Rumi!

While hanging out with their dad Jay-Z at Super Bowl LV, Blue Ivy and Rumi Carter recreated an adorable family tradition …
Florida Day Care Workers Allegedly Tortured Kids, But Their Next Move Was Even More Sickening, Cops Say

Florida Day Care Workers Allegedly Tortured Kids, But Their Next Move Was Even More Sickening, Cops Say

Three Florida day care workers are accused of smacking young kids and “torturing” them so often, the children began to “expect it.” …
Wild New Development After Dad Allegedly Shot His Own Daughter After Trump Argument 

Wild New Development After Dad Allegedly Shot His Own Daughter After Trump Argument 

Lucy Harrison’s dad allegedly shot her in the chest after a “big” argument about Donald Trump. He was never charged— but now there’s a wild update …
'Euphoria' Star Breaks Down the <i>Real</i> Cost of Being Successful in Hollywood

‘Euphoria’ Star Breaks Down the Real Cost of Being Successful in Hollywood

‘Euphoria’s’ Nika King is pulling the curtain back on what actors have to deal with financially if they want to make it far in the business …
How Cardi B Plans to Help Make Your Hair Grow 'Good'

How Cardi B Plans to Help Make Your Hair Grow ‘Good’

Fresh off her Super Bowl halftime show cameo, rapper Cardi B has some exciting news for fans of her luscious locs …
Mother Outraged After Indianapolis Police Officer Threatens to ‘Kill’ Black Teen in Viral Clip

Mother Outraged After Indianapolis Police Officer Threatens to ‘Kill’ Black Teen in Viral Clip

A traffic stop took a shocking turn when a Indianapolis police officer threatened to kill 17-year-old Trevion Taylor …
This New Wave of Black Artists is Fusing Christianity With Rap, R&B and AfroBeats

This New Wave of Black Artists is Fusing Christianity With Rap, R&B and AfroBeats

From Lecrae to Limoblaze, these Christian artists are redefining gospel music and introducing a new generation to the genre one track at a time …
Everything You Need to Know About Black Ski Weekend

Everything You Need to Know About Black Ski Weekend

Amid the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Black Ski Weekend is alive and thriving, celebrating community, culture and pure joy on the slopes. Here’s what you should know about this historic tradition …
The Latest Rihanna Spotting is In the <i>Last</i> Place You'd Suspect

The Latest Rihanna Spotting is In the Last Place You’d Suspect

Rihanna was recently spotted at an LA grocery store. But while some were watching what was in her cart, we zoomed in on what was on her left hand …
You'll Never Guess What Happened After Deion Sanders Tried to Hook Up Marsai Martin With His Son

You’ll Never Guess What Happened After Deion Sanders Tried to Hook Up Marsai Martin With His Son

Deion ‘Coach Prime’ Sanders knows a good opportunity when he sees it, but this particular one with Marsai Martin and his sons may not have gone the way he thought! …
A Complete Timeline of ‘RHOA’ Star Kandi Burruss’ Divorce From Todd Tucker

A Complete Timeline of ‘RHOA’ Star Kandi Burruss’ Divorce From Todd Tucker

The divorce between Kandi Burress and Todd Tucker is starting to get a bit more testy. Let’s take a look at how they got to this unfortunate position in the first place …
Black Democrat Grills ICE Director on His Faith in God During Hearing -- Here's What Happened Next

Black Democrat Grills ICE Director on His Faith in God During Hearing — Here’s What Happened Next

Rep. LaMonica McIver’s callout of ICE Director Todd Lyons is going viral after she questioned his dedication to his religion …