10th Anniversary Essence Awards (1997)

The Tenth Anniversary Essence Awards honored the outstanding achievements of African Americans. Shot at Madison Square Garden Theatre, honorees included Muhammad Ali, Marilyn Chamberlain, a Los Angeles woman who runs a home for people with AIDS, Bill and Camille Cosby, 1996 Olympic Gold Medal gymnast Dominique Dawes, and C. Kenneth Johnson. Whitney Houston received the first Essence Triumphant Spirit Award. Presenters included Oprah Winfrey & Quincy Jones.