essence fest
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Missy Elliott Performed at Essence Fest and We Are All Better Because of It
Last night, my life was changed. I witnessed Melissa “Missy” Arnette Elliott perform and the quality of my existence has been upgraded for the better. I type this to you in lieu of voice because I spent a good 30-plus minutes screaming the hits that Missy was ever so kind enough to give us all…
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Money Moves: Elizabeth Warren Touts Plan to Increase Pay for Black and Brown Women
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Elizabeth “I have a plan for that” Warren pledged Friday to help close the pay gap suffered by women of color, especially by women who are black or brown. On the heels of a planned appearance at the Essence Festival, one of the largest gatherings of black women in the country,…
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The Glow Up Goes to NOLA: How Do You Dress for Essence Fest?
I’ve traveled the world and been to multiple parts of the Caribbean and Africa, but I don’t think I’ve never been on a plane as black as the one I boarded to attend Essence Fest. For our Big Beauty Tuesday regulars who were looking for their weekly installment this week, I have my best excuse…
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How to Throw a 25-Year Party: Why Essence Festival Is Your Faves’ Favorite Event of the Year
What makes a great party? No, I mean a really great party; the kind people look forward to, year after year. This Fourth of July weekend, we’re going to find out; we’re traveling to New Orleans to join our play cousins at Essence for the 25th-anniversary celebration of their legendary festival. While it’s not The…
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The Biggest Party of the Year, Made Even Better—Essence Fest Just Booked Our Forever First Lady!
What a time to be alive—and what a year to be at Essence Fest! The annual convention of black girl magic just announced a major coup: Essence’s December/January cover girl, Michelle Obama will be making her Essence Fest debut on July 6, 2019, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome! The Glow Up and The Root will be…
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All of the Food in New Orleans Is the Best of All the Foods. How Is This Possible?
Before flying there for Essence Fest in July, I’d never been to New Orleans. Since then, I’ve been there twice, once for Panama’s bachelor party, then Sunday and Monday of this week to speak at Tulane University. Between the three separate visits, I’ve been there eight days total. In those eight days, I’ve probably eaten…
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Doing the Work: Gabrielle Union Talks Inclusion and the Insidious Influence of Colorism
Essence Fest is the gift that keeps on giving; the annual celebration of black womanhood, which this year took place from July 5-8 in New Orleans with half a million in attendance, drops gem after gem—many we’re still processing long after the festivities have ended. For Essence Fest veteran Gabrielle Union, “[it’s] a family reunion…
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'It's a Deliberate Attack on Black Women': April Ryan Gets Real About 'Post-Racial' America
“We are not post-racial—at all,” White House correspondent April Ryan told an Essence Festival audience during a panel last Saturday. “But when you dig into the weeds … it’s beyond race; it’s now going down to the black woman. It’s a deliberate attack on the black woman.” Ryan is no stranger to attacks. In April,…
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You Woke? Do the Work: Tarana Burke, Tamika Mallory and Symone Sanders Talk Accountability
There’s a reason Tarana Burke is so often featured on our #WomanCrushWednesday: the activist and #MeToo movement founder consistently does the work of advocacy and uplift for black women and girls, a fact she made sure to remind attendees of the “I’m Woke, Now What?” panel at the 2018 Essence Festival, as reported by Essence.…