The 'Girlfriends' star was back hosting the show and announced to the crowd and TV audience that she would be wearing all "black designers" whilst on stage.
She opened proceedings by requesting everybody watching to "dial up their compassion, dial down their judgment and literally act like they're rooting for one of their best friends doing a talent show."
Tracee Ellis Ross wears a Claude Lavie Kameni floral dress. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Tracee then participated in a dance routine in which she wore a navy blue sequin Nicolas Jebran catsuit and floor-length Dapper Dan x Gucci cape and then revealed that, for her, the night was "also about clothes".
She said: "I will feature black designers in all of my looks tonight.
"Might finally make it on to the Shaderoom and if you don't know what the Shaderoom is, it's the black TMZ."
Earlier, Tracee impressed on the carpet in a baby pink Pyer Moss power suit featuring black lapels, she later dazzled in gold CD Greene gown and a red floor-length Shanel Campbell skirt paired with a white t-shirt emblazoned with the phrase ' I am a voter'.
Tracee Ellis Ross wearing a suit by Pyer Moss. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Other looks included a tulle dress by Off-White, a Sergio Hudson leopard print bodysuit, a Claude Lavie Kameni floral dress, a glittering black Balmain evening gown, a blue Dehson dress and a bold red Cushnie jumpsuit.
Ahead of the show, the 45-year-old actress admitted she was very excited about the inclusive theme of the 2018 AMAs and a sign of the changing times.
She told PEOPLE: "We have a really specific theme this year - a story that I'm telling about who is making all of the clothes - but I will keep that a secret and share that during the show.
"That feels really special to me and very exciting, and that was sort of our guiding force and kind of the marching orders I gave Karla [Welch] in how to go out and hunt for things in that particular theme.
"Karla and I work so well together. Other than that, it's just whatever looks good on my body, and makes me feel comfortable and powerful; all different kinds of clothes make my heart sing."