In this award show it was a tribute to Black Women. The great Josephine Baker is also referenced in the Betty Boop segment. Jo Baker and Esther Jones were more alike than Betty Boop and Esther, they were actually rivals in Paris at one point.
When people draw Betty Boop as a Black woman or reference her Black History with Cab Calloway, they are more or less likely referencing Esther Jones.
However Esther Jones had no ties to Betty Boop. And Betty Boop was always a Caucasian Jewish girl prior to being an anthropomorphic French poodle, Betty was never Black. But these homages of Betty painted Black or as a Black Woman are more or less likely to Esther Jones who has always been associated with the Betty Boop story. Esther however never claimed the "Boop" or "Doop" and retired from show business and by 1937 was married. No longer known under the name Jones.
It would turn out that Taraji is a fan of Betty Boop.