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It was more than music: Highlights from Essence Fest 2023 [1]
['Nigell Moses', 'More Nigell Moses']
Date: 2023-07-05
The Essence Festival of Culture hosted a Family Day at Louis Armstrong Park on the last day of the festival. The event featured food, music and vendors. Credit: Nigell Moses/Verite News
The Essence Festival of Culture is perhaps best known for its musical lineup. This year’s festival included performances from some of the biggest artists of the past several decades: Lauryn Hill, Jermaine Dupri, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Wayne and more.
But Essence — the largest festival in America by per-day attendance, according to Essence Ventures CEO Caroline Wanga — has a lot more to offer.
This year’s festival featured panel appearances from iconic Black women, including media mogul Oprah Winfrey and Vice President Kamala Harris.
But while the Essence Festival is known to celebrate Black women, “Of course right beside her is a strong Black king,” artist and event curator Desmond “Dez The Prez” Walker said.
That’s one of the reasons Essence curated a space for Black men.
The men’s experience was called In His Zone and featured a message board, recording booth, pool table, and a chance to enjoy a relaxing massage.
Walker said his personal favorite men’s zone experience was the recording booth, in which attendees were able to choose their own beat, freestyle and get a copy of their recording.
The Essence Festival of Culture ended with a Family Day Block Party at Louis Armstrong Park on July 3. The event was a celebration of New Orleans culture featuring food, music and New Orleans-based vendors.
People lining up for the Essence Festival of Culture photo booth. This year’s theme was Creator Studio. Credit: Minh Ha/Verite
A three-generation family leaving their “beauty marks” at this year’s Beautycon, an Essence Festival of Culture experience that aims to celebrate “the individuality of all sizes, hues and identities.” Credit: Minh Ha/Verite
Many Black-owned businesses at Essence Festival offered free makeup, hair and skincare products to attendees. Credit: Minh Ha/Verite
The Essence Festival of Culture featured a panel discussion on running a successful business as women of color hosted by New Orleans-based photographer Kimberly Ha. Credit: Minh Ha/Verite News
Love & Hip Hop Atlanta star Yandy Smith having fun with fans while promoting her skincare line, Yelle, at the Essence Festival of Culture. Credit: Minh Ha/Verite News
Essence Festival of Culture attendees got to experience being a studio producer in the In His Zone men’s experience, a feature for men to connect and exchange ideas. Credit: Minh Ha/Verite News
CBS News national correspondent Michelle Miller was among the authors featured at the Essence Festival of Culture. Miller’s book, “Belonging: A Daughter’s Search for Identity Through Loss and Love,” was published earlier this year. Credit: Minh Ha/Verite News
The Essence Festival of Culture featured a makeshift book store in which customers had the opportunity to browse a wide selection of books by African American authors, with genres from fiction and children’s literature to autobiography and self help. Credit: Minh Ha/Verite News
Virginia-based clothing company “Black is love” was one of the many businesses present at the Essence Festival of Culture’s SOKO Market. Credit: Minh Ha/Verite News
Many long embraces and congratulations were exchanged at the Essence Festival of Culture’s SOKO Market, which strived to drive direct commerce and opportunities for Black and women-owned businesses. Credit: Minh Ha/Verite News
“It is so important that Essence included kids in the Kids Zone, because our kids are a part of our family and it’s a family reunion,” said Summer Carter owner of NOLA Creative, a professional face, body and mixed media art company. “So we have to definitely make sure that we have a space for them.”
For many, the Essence Festival of Culture had the feeling of a big family reunion with New Orleans culture at the center of it all.
“Essence does a great job of supporting the culture bearers in the city,” said Big Queen Cinnamon Black of the Black Masking Indians Fi Yi Yi and the Mandingo Warriors. “As a culture bearer ambassador, I would like to thank Essence for doing this.”
Check out the video of some of the best moments from the festival.
Khalil Gillon contributed to this article.
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If you share our stories on social media, please tag us in your posts using @VeriteNewsNola on Facebook @VeriteNewsNola on Twitter. If you have any other questions, contact managing editor Tim Morris. It was more than music: Highlights from Essence Fest 2023 <h1>It was more than music: Highlights from Essence Fest 2023</h1> <p class="byline">by Nigell Moses, Verite <br />July 5, 2023</p> <br /> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="
https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Essence-Fest-host-Family-Day-at-Louis-Armstrong-Park-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7496" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Essence Festival of Culture hosted a Family Day at Louis Armstrong Park on the last day of the festival. The event featured food, music and vendors.</figcaption></figure> <p>The Essence Festival of Culture is perhaps best known for its musical lineup. This year’s festival included performances from some of the biggest artists of the past several decades: Lauryn Hill, Jermaine Dupri, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Wayne and more. </p> <p>But Essence — the largest festival in America by per-day attendance, according to Essence Ventures CEO Caroline Wanga — has a lot more to offer. </p> <p>This year's festival featured panel appearances from iconic Black women, including media mogul Oprah Winfrey and Vice President Kamala Harris.</p> <p>But while the Essence Festival is known to celebrate Black women, “Of course right beside her is a strong Black king,” artist and event curator Desmond "Dez The Prez" Walker said. </p> <p>That’s one of the reasons Essence curated a space for Black men. </p> <p>The men’s experience was called In His Zone and featured a message board, recording booth, pool table, and a chance to enjoy a relaxing massage.</p> <p>Walker said his personal favorite men’s zone experience was the recording booth, in which attendees were able to choose their own beat, freestyle and get a copy of their recording.</p> <p>The Essence Festival of Culture ended with a Family Day Block Party at Louis Armstrong Park on July 3. The event was a celebration of New Orleans culture featuring food, music and New Orleans-based vendors. </p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter" data-effect="slide"> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container"> <ul class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper"> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7511" data-id="7511" src="
https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/NateEssence-Photo1-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">People lining up for the Essence Festival of Culture photo booth. This year’s theme was Creator Studio.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7512" data-id="7512" src="
https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/NateEssence-Photo2-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A three-generation family leaving their “beauty marks” at this year’s Beautycon, an Essence Festival of Culture experience that aims to celebrate “the individuality of all sizes, hues and identities.” </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7513" data-id="7513" src="
https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/NateEssence-Photo3-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Many Black-owned businesses at Essence Festival offered free makeup, hair and skincare products to attendees.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7514" data-id="7514" src="
https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/NateEssence-Photo4-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">The Essence Festival of Culture featured a panel discussion on running a successful business as women of color hosted by New Orleans-based photographer Kimberly Ha.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7515" data-id="7515" src="
https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/NateEssence-Photo5-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Love & Hip Hop Atlanta star Yandy Smith having fun with fans while promoting her skincare line, Yelle, at the Essence Festival of Culture.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7516" data-id="7516" src="
https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/NateEssence-Photo6-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Essence Festival of Culture attendees got to experience being a studio producer in the In His Zone men’s experience, a feature for men to connect and exchange ideas.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7518" data-id="7518" src="
https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/NateEssence-Photo8-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">CBS News national correspondent Michelle Miller was among the authors featured at the Essence Festival of Culture. Miller's book, "Belonging: A Daughter's Search for Identity Through Loss and Love," was published earlier this year.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7519" data-id="7519" src="
https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/NateEssence-Photo9-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">The Essence Festival of Culture featured a makeshift book store in which customers had the opportunity to browse a wide selection of books by African American authors, with genres from fiction and children’s literature to autobiography and self help.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7520" data-id="7520" src="
https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/NateEssence-Photo10-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Virginia-based clothing company “Black is love” was one of the many businesses present at the Essence Festival of Culture's SOKO Market. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7525" data-id="7525" src="
https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/NateEssence-Photo11-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Many long embraces and congratulations were exchanged at the Essence Festival of Culture's SOKO Market, which strived to drive direct commerce and opportunities for Black and women-owned businesses.</figcaption></figure> </li> </ul> <p><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a aria-label="Pause Slideshow" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause" role="button"></a></p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white"></div> </div> </div> <p>“It is so important that Essence included kids in the Kids Zone, because our kids are a part of our family and it’s a family reunion,” said Summer Carter owner of <a href="
https://nolacreativestudio.com/">NOLA Creative</a>, a professional face, body and mixed media art company. “So we have to definitely make sure that we have a space for them.”</p> <p>For many, the Essence Festival of Culture had the feeling of a big family reunion with New Orleans culture at the center of it all.</p> <p>“Essence does a great job of supporting the culture bearers in the city,” said Big Queen Cinnamon Black of the Black Masking Indians Fi Yi Yi and the Mandingo Warriors. “As a culture bearer ambassador, I would like to thank Essence for doing this.”</p> <p>Check out the video of some of the best moments from the festival.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/UtI9w3Lq670 </div> </figure> <p><em>Khalil Gillon contributed to this article. </em></p> This <a target="_blank" href="
https://veritenews.org/2023/07/05/essence-fest-2023-highlights/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="
https://veritenews.org">Verite</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="
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https://veritenews.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=7497&ga3=319934958" style="width:1px;height:1px;"> Copy to Clipboard
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