Essence Communications Inc.

Dear New Orleans, Your Vieux Carré streets were reclaimed by Black women, boasting all our shades and shapes, sashaying in colorful, silky sundresses, two-piece linen sets, and hoochie-mama shorts. With our singin’ and sanctified! It felt like I’d arrived in Black heaven. Watching thousands sway together, our spirits intertwined, I realized then that something special lived here—not merely in Frankie Beverly and Maze’s music, but in your essence, New Orleans. Without our ancestors, there would be no New Orleans. This country tries to hide the truth of our genius, but your existence reveals what it means to build, resist, and remember. The scent of fried fish and creole dishes, seasoned to perfection and reminiscent of Haiti, wafts from the food trucks and sidewalk set-ups that offer staples like red beans and rice. Whether we walk these streets as locals or as visitors, we must acknowledge that ESSENCE Fest would not be the haven it is without the heart-posture of Black New Orleanians. We Love You, We Love Us! For our July/August issue, we are celebrating 30 years of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture and paying tribute to the people of New Orleans with a love letter to the city that has become our home! Get your copy on newsstands on 6/25! Read the cover story here: https://lnkd.in/gi7fWf-T The Credits: Writer: Stevona Elem-Rogers  Photographer/Director: Edward Buckles, Jr.   Assistant Director: Marcus Brown  Photography Assistants: J. Alejandro Moreno, Peter Philips, and Val Dagrain  Gaffer: Cyr Eugene  Production Assistant & Movement Director: Ammara Khalid  Retouching: Molly Solorzano    ESSENCE, SVP, Creative: Corey Stokes ESSENCE, Senior Content Director: Nandi Howard ESSENCE, Visual Director: Michael Quinn ESSENCE, Design Director: Anthony Bryant

Cue the convening of all things #BlackBirthdayBehavior … of culture. More US as we enter into our birthday weekend with Birdman, Lil Wayne, and Cash Money who turned 30 this year too! Busta Rhymes, The Roots, T-Pain, Ari Lennox, Mickey Guyton, Raphael Saadiq, and Jacquees were among the others that performed on the first night of our superdome concerts. We believe economic inclusion is a human right and in the spirit of community commerce we celebrated the re-introduction of the pipeline program focused on offering Louisiana based entrepreneurs curriculum and opportunities curated by #NewVoices to help accelerate their businesses. For more detail on all things Essence Festival of Culture in the Ernest Morial Convention Center, download the E360 app. #WeLoveUs P.S. … and them interpreters were not to be interrupted.  😉

Press and Play. Today was about storytellers and movement makers. With our press partners (storytellers) , we immersed in the New Orleans cultural economy that’s made the festival what it is today - alongside our 29-year-partner, Coca-Cola. Mayor Latoya Cantrell kicked off the festival weekend with a reception that honored native son Raheem Devaughn, Essence’s 30th Birthday, and Club Quarantine’s very own D-Nice (movement makers). D-Nice alongside Kenny Burns and others hosted a special July 4th Essence Fest edition Club Quarantine to close out the night. So many more of the US we love, made day two the best one yet. We will see what day 3 has in store. See you when you get here!

‘Twas the night that kicked off the 30th annual Essence Festival of Culture in 2024, and we did what we do with those that we know. The revolution must be financed, the communities must thrive, and the relationships must grow. Today’s theme was the ecosystem that fuels the fellowship that the festival represents globally. We “love-lettered” the headliner of all headliners, New Orleans. We toasted the many members of community and government that support this celebration. We commemorated the partners and sponsors that invest in this cultural artifact. We acknowledged the team that diligently curates the brand. It’s only night one but it’s when the heart, the hands and the heads that bring forward this one-of-a-kind weekend are appreciated for ALL they do to ensure you ALL feel seen and appreciated when you arrive. They’ve done it for 30 years and will do it for 30 more. #WeLoveUs and will see you when you get here!

Umm…Err…Uhh…we did, are, and will be US while “us”ing. 30 did its thang and we was ALL DA WAY ousside tryin’ to get to all the “good ‘till it’s gone” ***in our Sunday superdome headliner #JanetJackson*** voice. From a gospel experience to Victoria Monet, SWV, Tank and The Bangas, the party pressure was fully applied. We honored and celebrate the national treasure that is #FrankieBeverly in the tried and true uninterrupted-white #essencefestival tradition…as he deserves and so much more. Pssst… SEE YOU JULY 3-6TH 2025…WE LOVE US ‘cause WE MADE LIKE THIS…🤫

Umm…Err…Uhh…we did, are, and will be US while “us”ing. 30 did its thang and we was ALL DA WAY ousside tryin’ to get to all the “good ‘till it’s gone” ***in our Sunday superdome headliner #JanetJackson*** voice. From a gospel experience to Victoria Monet, SWV, Tank and The Bangas, the party pressure was fully applied. We honored and celebrate the national treasure that is #FrankieBeverly in the tried and true uninterrupted-white #essencefestival tradition…as he deserves and so much more. Pssst… SEE YOU JULY 3-6TH 2025…WE LOVE US ‘cause WE MADE LIKE THIS…🤫

US = Vote dat Ballot Bustin’ azz up in ~120 days… US = Take next on bein’ the Black female VP of the United States… US = @Ava’s gifts gifted all… US = Unapologetic existence at Joy & Justice US = Uncle Charlie + Usher (da verb and ya boo) + TGT (not the stock marker sticker) + Donnell + Tweet + all-‘er-body-else … Ain’t No US, like US. #Essencefest Thrice!

The second in command to the commander in chief at Chief to Chief? Yes, Please. Black Women running things is our all-time favorite genre. You are cordially invited to witness a spirited conversation with Vice President Kamala Harris and our CEO and President Caroline Wanga. Let’s get into some things, put the fiction to rest, and let the facts speak for themselves, shall we? Coming together with the common goal of US at the forefront is the agenda. Shift your schedule and dress like WE know how to do for this one—we have work to do! See you at 5:15 pm cst on Saturday, July 6th, at the GBEF HQ stage at the Convention Center. You don’t want to be late for this one. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Plan accordingly. Mhmmmm. This will be live-streamed at ESSENCE.com and ESSENCEFestival.com. Here we come, and Here we Go!

Hold up and wait a minute — the Convention Center during our daytime experiences is coming with that 🔥. We’re bringing out all of your faves to the 30th celebration of ESSENCE Fest. Swipe through for an all-star lineup. Download the E360 app to stay in the know of all things #ESSENCEFest! See you in New Orleans! Read more about our line up here: https://lnkd.in/g_Tx3qxk

Dear New Orleans, There is a magic that fills your streets, a rhythm that pulses in your heart, and a spirit that dances in your soul. Your culture is a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of history, music, cuisine, and community, and you wear it well. But it is your people who are the true heart of New Orleans. Their warmth and hospitality are as inviting as your sunlit streets. In the face of adversity, they stand resilient, with a spirit as unbreakable as the levees that hold back the waters. The stories you tell, the traditions you uphold, and the community you build are the lifeblood of the culture. Today, we celebrate the very foundation of the city we call home. The people! Our July / August Issue, a love letter to New Orleans, is available on newsstands today! We Love You. We Love Us. Photography: Edward Buckles, Jr