THEY LOVE US!
If you have never been to Essence Fest, you are sorely missing out! 30 years ago, Essence co-founder Ed Lewis had the brilliant idea of curating a festival to celebrate the magazine’s 25th anniversary, and the rest, as they say, is history. What initially started as this idea for a one-off celebration has now turned into 30 years of celebrating Black women. Essence Fest has not only birthed an entire generation but has also become a true mainstay in Black culture, welcoming everyone to New Orleans annually for one of the biggest family reunions ever!
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All the stars aligned this year, and everyone from Serena Williams to Ava DuVernay and Regina King was popping out at Essence to show their love. The vibes were high, and no sleep was to be had as Essence curated everything from brunches to Black-owned business marketplaces and Club Quarantine After Dark afterparties with D-Nice.
While we work to reclaim our time and sleep after four eventful days, we also reflect on the beauty of Essence Fest. In honor of their 30th birthday, here are our top six unforgettable #Essence30 moments!
The Suede Stage
While Essence Fest is indeed a celebration of Black women, the brothers show up and out annually! This year, Essence Fest debuted the “Suede Stage,” formerly known as “In His Zone,” specifically for the fellas, and it was a gem!
The lineup was incredible, featuring community organizers like Phil Agnew, actor Lance Gross, sports broadcaster Stephen A. Smith, and industry titans like Roc Nation’s Lawrence “Law” Parker III. The experience was curated impeccably and became a genuinely safe space for the brothers, the men covering everything from community and the importance of organizing during times of crisis to the value of HBCUs and the state of Black representation in sports broadcasting.
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Global Black Economic Forum
The Global Black Economic Forum (GBEF), an organization aimed at closing economic gaps within the Black community, hosted a dynamic stage. The forum hosted an array of panels that allowed the audience to delve into the nitty-gritty of politics, civic engagement, Black entrepreneurship and wealth, and the importance of being engaged. Attendees showed up in droves for all three days of panels, which featured conversations with influential figures like Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Essence CEO Caroline Wanga, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Vice President Kamala Harris, inspiring us all to be more engaged and empowered in our communities.
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Open to the public, many celebrities were also in attendance, including actress Jenifer Lewis, who encouraged attendees to vote. Heading out, guests could stop at the expertly curated “Essence Authors Book Shop,” featuring various Black books for sale. In addition to the public convention center forum, GBEF also hosted an off-site Global Business Summit featuring several Black leaders, including Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Vista Equity Partners CEO Robert Smith, Essence VENTURES owner Richelieu Dennis, and Fearless Fund CEO Arian Simone.
We Came To Play Activation
In addition to the ubiquitousness of all things Black, there was another thing that could not be missed throughout Essence Fest weekend: Princess Tiana inspired Mickey ears. Wherever you went, there were droves of people sporting green Mickey Mouse ears inside the convention center and around the streets of New Orleans. The accessory was given to those who had visited the “We Came to Play” Disney booth. A fun and immersive activation space, Disney made sure there were options for the whole family at Essence, showcasing fun set designs from the new Princess Tiana-inspired ride, hosting a super cute Disney House for creatives and influencers, and offering interactive activities for all ages.
Disney also curated a series of special Essence Stage conversations. Hosted by Letoya Luckett, Disney announced the opening of their 2025 Disney Dreamers Academy applications and headed down to the bayou for a special chat with the Imagineers behind the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction featuring “Princess & The Frog” cast members Anika Noni Rose (Princess Tiana) & Jenifer Lewis (Mama Odie).
Auntie Tab Got A New Wine!
Of course, Tabitha Brown was at Essence! She was showcased on the Food & Wine stage, which platformed other influencers like wellness practitioner Queen Afua and singer Mya, with many attendees gathering to show Brown love. During her scheduled convo, the beloved vegan influencer also made a special announcement. In addition to her new summer collab at Target, featuring everything from notecards to recipe binders, Brown will also be launching a new wine with the retail giant. Very good!
Superdome Concerts
Essence Fest isn’t complete without the nightly concerts at the iconic Superdome. What makes it so unique isn’t just the world-class performances but also the energy. Every night is different, and with such a varied lineup this year, attendees were able to take over for the ‘99 and 2000s with Cash Money and get their body roll on with Usher before partying with the iconic Janet Jackson, who left it all on the Essence Stage on night 3.
The energy was palpable, and even the rain didn’t stop the cousins from heading to the Superdome. Special guest artists popped up, like 2 Chainz, Bun B, Durand Bernarr, and Jagged Edge, who received roaring applause from the crowd.
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Frankie Beverly Closes Essence Fest One Last Time
Just as Essence Fest closed out, when attendees thought they were too tired to move, everyone mustered their last bit of energy and put on their all-white to pay tribute to a man who needed no introduction.
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Since the very first Essence Fest 30 years ago, Frankie Beverly and Maze have been a part of the magic. Closing out that very first concert three decades ago, the beloved crooner headed to NOLA for his last farewell tour. Seated in his signature all-white on the side of the stage, Beverly took in his final Essence Fest tribute curated by superproducer Bryan-Michael Cox. Cox gathered together a number of artists to pay homage to the giants who have graced the Essence Fest stage over the years, culminating with Beverly’s tribute featuring Luke James, Anthony Hamilton, Doug E. Fresh, and of course, the one and only Maze.
The new lead singer, Tony, gave his flowers to Beverly and paid tribute in a way only he and the band knew how to do. New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell, the first Black woman mayor of NOLA, was on deck alongside former mayor Marc Morial, Essence Founder Ed Lewis, and State Senator Royce Duplessis to honor and commemorate the one headliner who started it all. As Beverly closed his remarks on the mic, his classic tune, “Before I Let Go,” blared through the speakers as the crowd broke out in what seemed like hundreds of simultaneous electric slides—the true power of such an enduring legacy.
“Thank you, my people. Thank you for this love. And thank you for caring…Thank you. I love you from the bottom of my heart,” Beverly told the crowd.
Thank you, Uncle Frankie. And thank you, Essence Fest! We are so grateful to have celebrated this cultural institution, and we look forward to three more decades of Black excellence.
Cover photo: Essence Fest Marks 30-Year Milestone With Unforgettable Celebration of Black Culture/Photo Credit: Frankie Beverly receives a tribute onstage during Day 3 of the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Caesars Superdome on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana/Bennett Raglin/Getty Images/ESSENCE