Zinzi Coogler and the Women of ‘Sinners’ Get Touching Tribute at Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards: ‘This Film Has Been the Journey of a Lifetime’

For nearly a year, Ryan Coogler’s vampire drama “Sinners” has dominated the cultural conversation — from its blockbuster box office to dissections of its references and their significance, to the filmmaker’s illuminating lesson about aspect ratios, and culminating with its record 16 Oscar nominations, including best picture.

But none of that would’ve happened without producer Zinzi Coogler and all the women — actresses and artisans — who made the film sing.

At the Essence Black Women in Hollywood awards on Thursday afternoon, Zinzi Coogler, cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, production designer Hannah Beachler, costume designer Ruth E. Carter, hair designer Shunika Terry-Jennings, and stars Wunmi Mosaku and Jayme Lawson took center stage.

“I’m still in the infancy of my career and a student of my collaborators,” Zinzi Coogler began, visibly touched by the standing ovation the group received from the crowd assembled at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

“I…