A bevy of Hollywood’s most beloved Black stars came together Sunday afternoon for an all-star luncheon to honor Sheryl Lee Ralph and Niecy Nash-Betts ahead of the 2023 Golden Globes. Both are nominees this year––Ralph a “Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Musical” nominee for playing the loving but tough Barbara Howard on Abbott Elementary, and Nash-Betts for “Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series” for Dahmer-Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story––and both were lauded by dozens of friends, family, and well-wishers. The longtime friends (Nash-Betts was in Ralph’s 2005 wedding!), both got their flowers in a beautiful ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton in LA’s Marina del Rey neighborhood as stars including Yvonne Orji, Colman Domingo, Marla Gibbs, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Vanessa Bell Calloway, and Ralph’s Abbott co-star Lisa Ann Walter heaped love and praise on the pair.

“If we don’t celebrate the ones we love and ride with us, who will?” said William P. Miller, an event planner who organized the luncheon, “A Golden Salute: A Luncheon to Celebrate Black Actresses,” after he learned of their nominations. Miller planned Ralph’s 2005 wedding and met Nash from there; over the years, he’s become close to both as well as their moms, kids, and loved ones. “It’s one big happy family,” he said.

One big happy family was absolutely the vibe inside the waterfront hotel, where generations of influential actresses from new-school (Aisha Hinds) to seasoned (Victoria Rowell) milled about hugging each other, taking photos, laughing, sipping champagne, and of course, celebrating the nominees. Calloway, who began her tribute to Ralph (they were in Dreamgirls on Broadway at the same time) with a hilarious note-for-note reenactment of Ralph’s unforgettable speech when Ralph won her first Emmy in 2022, was one of many ecstatic that Ralph is having a golden moment.

“When you see Sheryl and Niecy take off you can’t help but be supportive because a win for them is a win for everybody,” Calloway said. “It’s good to see because it also shows things are changing. She has reminded me not to give up. Because [in this business] you do get beat up a little bit.”

Not only was the room packed with well-wishers but the brief program was packed too: Nash-Bett’s wife Jessica serenaded her famous wife with a gorgeous song that had the actress in tears and guests on their feet applauding; Ralph and Nash-Bett’s sons Etienne Maurice and Dominic Nash––buddies in real life––gave tributes to their moms; Wendy Raquel Robinson recited an ode to her friend Nash; and there were videotaped shout outs from Sherri Shepherd, as well as Oprah and Gayle. At one point in her tribute to Ralph, Calloway asked for the lights to come up and for the nominees to stand and look around the room. “Take this into the Globes next week -- the spirit of people who love you.”

Both Ralph and Nash-Betts seemed moved by the love from their own community––aware that their long climb up in Hollywood has been thanks to other women before them, and has blazed a trail that other young Black women can follow.

“So many find value in being honored,” Nash-Betts said in her speech. “I find value in being loved, and that’s what I feel in this room.”

Closing out the afternoon, Ralph had attendees on their feet with a soul-stirring speech that summoned up her more than 40 years in entertainment. “I’ve been a lone wolf for a long time,” she said. “I love what I do, but this light I have, it’s not just for me. It’s for those who come behind me.”