The daytime experiences at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center rounded out the weekend perfectly, leaving attendees with a lasting high of joy. Highlights include:
ESSENCE Global Black Economic Forum™ HQ featured panel discussions with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell moderating a conversation with Major Eric Adams of NYC,Major Karen Bass of LA, Major Sylvester Turner of Houston, Major Justin Bibb of Cleveland, and former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial.
The connection between Hip-Hop and Gospel was celebrated at ESSENCE Get Lifted™: Gospel Celebration with performances by Erika Campbell, Tweet, Cory Stewart, Authentically Anointed, Dee-1, Wande, and a surprise performer Young, Gifted & on Fire. A riveting sermon was delivered by Pastor Jamal Bryant, who encouraged the audience to walk in their purpose. This is the ultimate Sunday ritual of spiritual communion through song, dance, and fellowship.
Taking the ESSENCE Stage™ were YoYo, Roxanne Shanté, and KD Aubert for a powerful conversation titled Who You Callin’ A B*tch moderated by God-is Rivera, Chief Content Officer at Essence Ventures. The discussion went in-depth on the contributions of women, the growth of Hip-Hop culture, the politics of sexy, and reclaiming identity.
ESSENCE Authors™ saw Michelle Williams and Jay “Jeezy” Jenkins for a panel and fireside chat surrounding mental health, the evolution of their business acumen, and the ways they have stayed relevant in the music industry.
Beautycon: ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ Edition featured a panel discussion on Owning our Global Blackness: Black is the Beauty Standard with Aliyah’s Interlude, IAMDDB, and Jodie Woods on how Black beauty standards globally continue to revolutionize the beauty industry.
ESSENCE Studios Film Festival™ continued to showcase storytellers across the African diaspora going into today’s daytime experiences. Directors Deon Taylor, Reggie Bythewood, and Richard Lawson joined moderator Tommy Oliver to discuss their career trajectory, the obstacles they overcame on the road to success, and how they found support for one another while navigating Hollywood as Black directors
For the nighttime performances, 3x Grammy Award-winning artist, Megan Thee Stallion, showcased her impact on modern women rappers, rounding out our first-ever all-female Hip-Hop lineup. Radio icon Angie Martinez brought a golden celebration of the women who changed the face of Hip-Hop and influenced culture with a curation of performances by Eve, Salt-N-Pepa, Remy Ma, Trina, and New Orleans’ very own Mia X. Additionally, Wizkid, afro beats hitmaker, and Grammy-award winning artist, joined the closing night along with R&B songstress Muni Long and Tems. The night was hosted by Abbott Elementary breakout star Janelle James, with Hip-Hop classics and remixes to keep the party going from DJ Spinderella.
Jeezy Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty FOR ESSENCE) Jennifer Renée Rhodes speaks onstage (Photo by Erica Goldring/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE)Erica Campbell appears onstage (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)Wande (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)Kenneth Brother performs onstage (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE KJ Smith (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE)Roland Martin (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE) (L-R) Yo-Yo and K. D. Aubert speak onstage (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)Candiace Dillard (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE)Megan Thee Stallion performs onstage . (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for ESSENCE) A DJ performs at the booth (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE)Dr. Vernard Hodges. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE)Mali Music (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE)(L-R) Atlanta Mayor, Andre Dickens and Mayor of Clevaland, Justin Bibb speak onstage (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE)Dee-1 (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE) Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell speaks onstage (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE)Richard Lawson speaks onstage (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE)Marissa Allen speaks onstage (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)(L-R) Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE) (L-R) Styles P and Adjua Styles (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE)Gail Bean. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE)Gail Bean (C) and guests (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE)Misa Hylton speaks onstage (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE)Dancers seen backstage (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)Tabitha Brown seen backstage (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)Remy Ma seen backstage (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)(L-R) Toya Johnson, and Reginae Carter speak backstage (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE) Eve performs onstage (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE) Guests (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)(L-R) Reginae Carter, Felice Leon and Toya Johnson seen backstage (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)(L-R) Sandra Denton and Cheryl James of Salt-N-Pepa perform onstage (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)Mia X performs onstage (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)Flau’jae Johnson speaks onstage (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks onstage (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE) DJ Spinderella performs onstage . (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)Angie Martinez (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images FOR ESSENCE)Janelle James seen backstage (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)Tems performs onstage (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)Lil Wayne performs onstage . (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)Tems performs onstage (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
