Celebrations continued throughout the day with the Global Black Economic Forum™, which featured an invite-only Access and Opportunity Summit at the Four Seasons, where members of The Biden-Harris Administration, including Vice President Kamala Harris, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Michael S. Regan, took part in discussions on issues ranging from the evolution of philanthropy to addressing inequity on corporate boards.
The Summit engaged audiences on conversations around advancing equity and opportunity for Black communities across the country with history-making Black trailblazers, including Hip-Hop icons and gamechangers Doug E. Fresh and D-Nice, CNBC Reporter and Anchor Deborah Helman and Ebony Thomas, respectively, Vice President of Partnerships & Engagement at Google Valeisha Butterfied Jones, and more.
Following the Summit, the 2023 Essence Ventures Media Upfront took place at The Fillmore inclusive of a State of Black Media panel discussion featuring Caroline Wanga, Essence Ventures CEO & President, Detavio Samuels, CEO of Revolt, and Travis Montaque, Group Black Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, as well as a special musical performance by Robin Thicke.
During the nighttime experiences, AFROPUNK made its debut at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ with the AFROPUNK Krewe Ball, taking the night by storm at the Joy Theater. Notable attendees included a performance by Durand Bernarr and DJ sets by LIL JODECI, DJ Chinua, DJ PR_CK, DJ B-HEN, and hosted by Ebony New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Global Black Economic Forum’s Access & Economic Opportunity summit at the 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE )NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: Robin Thicke performs onstage during the 2023 ESSENCE Ventures Media Upfronts at The Fillmore New Orleans on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: Dana Robinson (R) attends the 2023 ESSENCE Ventures Media Upfronts at The Fillmore New Orleans on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: Detavio Samuels speaks onstage during the 2023 ESSENCE Ventures Media Upfronts at The Fillmore New Orleans on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: A general view of atmosphere during the 2023 ESSENCE Ventures Media Upfronts at The Fillmore New Orleans on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Vice President of Partnerships & Engagement at Google, Inc and former co-president of The Recording Academy speaks during the Global Black Economic Forum’s Access & Economic Opportunity Summit at the 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE )NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: (L-R) Gonzalo Del Fa, Cynthia Jenkins and Michael Roca attend the 2023 ESSENCE Ventures Media Upfronts at The Fillmore New Orleans on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: D-Nice speaks during the Global Black Economic Forum’s Access & Economic Opportunity summit at the 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE )NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: (L-R) Dr. LaTricia Frederick, Senior Director & Leader of Corporate Functions People Business Partners, Cisco, and Debra Lee, Co-Founder & Partner of Monarchs Collective; Chairman Emeritus, BET Networks; and Board Member of Warner Bros. Discovery, Burberry, Marriott and Procter & Gamble, speak during the Global Black Economic Forum’s Access & Economic Opportunity summit at the 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE )NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: Robin Thicke performs onstage during the 2023 ESSENCE Ventures Media Upfronts at The Fillmore New Orleans on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: T-Ray performs for the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of culture press conference at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
