The 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture Celebration

The 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® was a powerful celebration of Black excellence, innovation, and legacy. Held in New Orleans, Louisiana, the weekend was filled with impactful conversations, cultural showcases, and unforgettable performances that affirmed why this festival remains a cornerstone of Black culture.

One of the noteworthy events, was the Global Black Economic Forum Business Summit, which explored the future of work, wealth, health, and democracy. A standout moment was a keynote conversation between Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and ABC Anchor Linsey Davis, touching on legacy and leadership. Influential voices like Governors Wes Moore and JB Pritzker, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and SEIU President April Verrett enriched discussions around civic and economic power. Civil rights leaders, including Melanie Campbell, Derrick Johnson, and Janai Nelson, reflected on racial equity and what the future of Civil Rights might look like.

The Future of Health Dinner & Awards honored leaders in public, corporate, and cultural health, while weekend programming included Queer Space, the QualifyHER 5K, and the GBEF HQ Public Convention.

At the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Hollywood House brought together creative minds like Emmy-nominated director Noel Braham and tech exec Shavone Charles. Their session, AI in Action: The Next Era of Jobs in Film, emphasized the urgency for Black creatives to master AI tools. Later, iconic writer/producer Mara Brock Akil offered wisdom on storytelling and reinvention. The evening closed with Laser Networking: The Actors Den, creating space for meaningful industry connections.

Cultural Showcases & Food as Storytelling - TV One and CLEO TV spotlighted Black lifestyle programming, featuring chefs and hosts like Chef JJ, Tamar Braxton, and Chef Jernard Wells. Viral food critic Keith Lee led a heartwarming discussion on culture, family, and food. In the ESSENCE Authors® space, Luvvie Ajayi Jones and Tamira Chapman discussed storytelling, creative control, and the publishing journey. Offsite, Twitch star Zoe Spencer highlighted gaming’s role in building community.

The concert series, held at the Superdome, was a musical sanctuary. Many artists made their way to the stage to give great performances. From Afrobeats star Davido to neo-soul legend Erykah Badu and reggae icon Buju Banton, every performance brought the crowd to its feet. Surprise appearances by 803Fresh, Doug E. Fresh, and Freeway added extra energy. Babyface, The Isley Brothers, Ari Lennox, GloRilla, Lucky Daye, Psyrin, and Maxwell all delivered memorable sets. The legendary Lauryn Hill gave a genre-defining performance. Jill Scott, Patti LaBelle, and Jazmine Sullivan brought Philly soul to life with their tribute set, A Philly Jawn.

Looking ahead, this year’s ESSENCE Festival was more than an event, it was a soulful movement of reflection, empowerment, and forward momentum. We look forward to returning next year for another unforgettable experience. Follow @ESSENCEFest on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more. (Photo credit: Courtesy of Essence/Getty Images)