michelle ebanks
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Further Refuting the Claims of #BlackFemaleAnonymous, Essence Publishes Results of Final Independent Review
The saga that began with a bold public plea to #TakeBackEssence seemed one step closer to ending as of Tuesday, as Essence released the results of yet another independent legal review, this time conducted by the law firm Morgan Lewis. The firm’s report appeared to quash claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, and toxic work culture…
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![4 Days Into Their Effort to #TakeBackEssence, the Collective Known as #BlackFemaleAnonymous Declares Success [Updated]](https://assets-server.theroot.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/29112605/ibdgsduolu9wfvedrmmp-300x169.jpg)
4 Days Into Their Effort to #TakeBackEssence, the Collective Known as #BlackFemaleAnonymous Declares Success [Updated]
After a barrage of accusations and threats to publish incriminating evidence to support their claims, the group of current and former Essence staffers who comprise #BlackFemaleAnonymous say their conditions have been met. The announcement, made via a tweet on Thursday night, came a day ahead of the collective’s pronounced July 3 end-of-day deadline, after a…
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#TakeBackEssence? As Essence Celebrates 50 Years, Explosive Allegations Against Its Leadership Spark Controversy
This past weekend was intended to be a landmark one for Essence. The beloved Black legacy publication celebrated its 50th anniversary amid a pandemic, pivoting its 26th annual Essence Festival of Music and Culture to a virtual format spanning over not one, but two weekends, culminating in its traditional Fourth of July weekend festivities. Instead,…
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Brakes Pumped on Essence Festival 2020 Amid Coronavirus Crisis
The show must not go on—at least for the time being. The coronavirus crisis has gotten everybody and everything fucked up right now, and after a couple of weeks of evaluating how this global pandemic would impact business, the producers of the Essence Festival decided to postpone its annual party with a purpose in New…
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End of an Era: CEO of Essence Communications Michelle Ebanks Steps Down
The leading voice in America’s leading publication for black women is making way for new leadership. On Monday, Essence Communications made the unexpected announcement that as of March 31 its CEO, Michelle Ebanks, will be stepping down from the role she’s held since 2018, prior to which she had been in leadership roles within the…
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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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Founder of SheaMoisture, Richelieu Dennis, Acquires Essence From Time Inc.
Essence Communications Inc., the 48-year-old mutliplatform brand that owns Essence magazine and the annual Essence Festival, has gone back to black (ownership), having been acquired by Essence Ventures LLC, an independent African-American-owned company, Essence Ventures announced in a press release. As reported earlier by Journal-isms for The Root, the Essence brand was not part of…