The 30th celebration of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola®, was a beautiful event filled with fun, outstanding live performances, love, and Black Excellence at its Best!
It was an extraordinary experience that combined beauty, dynamic speakers, unique vendors, and tasty food. A perfect blend of entertainment, education, fellowship, and total enjoyment was offered at this captivating event for families.
It was impossible not to feel enchanting energy once you stepped into the New Orleans Convention Center full of people from all over the world. The venue was adorned with vibrant pink hues, creating a visually stunning backdrop for the event. A warm atmosphere of love filled the room as electric energy and good vibes flowed and beautiful welcoming smiles held space. It is clear that every detail, from decorations to entertainment selections to empowerment sessions, contributed to the overall ambiance and atmosphere of the festival.
One of the major highlights of the Festival included Vice President Kamala Harris, now a Presidential Candidate giving a captivating rousing, and empowered moving interview with the Essence Ventures President and CEO, Caroline Wanga.
The course of the festival included the presence of standout dynamic speakers. Their passionate and thought-provoking talks added a unique and necessary dimension to the event. From motivational talks to insightful discussions, these speakers enraptured the audience, inspiring and enlightening all with their words of wisdom.
The Festival also showcased a diverse range of vendors, offering a wide array of products and services. From local artisans displaying their creative crafts to food vendors serving delectable treats, there was something for everyone. It was a delight to explore the various stalls and support local businesses while enjoying the Festival atmosphere.
The heart and soul of the Festival were undoubtedly the live performances. The lineup of talented artists and bands created an electrifying atmosphere, filling the air with captivating melodies and infectious beats. From up-and-coming musicians to renowned headliners, each performance was a testament to the festival’s commitment to showcasing exceptional talent.
ThisIsRnB hosts Kadeja and Qyiana had the pleasure of speaking exclusively with musical acts, comedians, actors, actresses, award-winning Filmmakers, Writers and Producers, and NFL players.
Classic R&B artists Ruff Endz and Di Reed from Jade;
Superstar Garcelle Beauvais and talented co-star Vaughn Hebron
Hilarious Comedian, Actor and Writer Pharoah;
Phenomenal actress beautiful LeLah Rechon;
Charismatic Actor Queen Sugar’s Own, Omar Dorsey;
Outstanding Emmy Award-winning Writer, Producer, and Filmmaker Santana Coleman;
Award Winning collective of Film Producers, Writers, and Actor; Jenna Cavelle, Elvis Nolasco, Eunice Levis;
Dynamic Lifetime Network Producer and Filmmaker Karen Kaufman Wilson;
Tony Award Nominee, the talented Hailey Kilgore;
Star of hit series ‘All American’ Kareem Grimes;
Former NFL Player, Bruce Thompson.
Showstopping performances from Legendary Iconic artists Janet Jackson, Usher, and “Uncle” Charlie Wilson tipped the stage with magnanimous presence and showmanship and vocals that are the epitome of perfection. All delivering hit after hit from their respective extensive music catalogs.
Charlie Wilson
Usher
There were also phenomenal performances from SWV, TGT, Victoria Monet and so many more talented artists. The festival closed out with a touching tribute to the legendary Frankie and Beverly Maze which was an excellent way to end the Festival.
This was truly a heartwarming family-friendly Festival filled with people of all ages coming together from all over the country to enjoy the festivities. The combination of beauty, dynamic speakers, vendors, and live performances created an unforgettable experience and created memories that will be cherished for years to come.
Start making plans now to attend the Essence Festival of Cultural 2025. You won’t want to miss this exceptional one-of-a-kind experience!