I totally forgot Essence Fest was even coming up until I saw someone post about it on Instagram and instantly felt behind. Every July, people show up and show out in New Orleans. We’re talking head-to ...

Some of the most iconic voices in hip-hop and R&B are taking over New Orleans this weekend at the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture. The long-standing festival will feature a jam-packed lineup of ...

Hammad Ijaz is a writer who has been writing video game guides, reviews, and lists for more than two years for his previous publication. With a hefty amount of experience under his belt, he has ...

From icons to innovators, ESSENCE gathered six women who are building the future of business—and doing it their way.

This story is featured in the July/August 2025, 55th anniversary issue of ESSENCE. ESSENCE has long been attuned to what Black women want and need—especially when it comes to conversations about sex.

“AI is here — let’s not be afraid of it,” said Josette Gbemudu, Associate Vice President of Patient Health Innovation at Merck & Co., during a forward-thinking panel at the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of ...

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Thousands of Essence Festival visitors flew home Monday (July 7) giving generally high marks for the event. “It was a good experience for me, just seeing the different cultures, ...

My dear friend Maya and I were long overdue for a catch up. We planned the perfect night: dinner at a buzzy new Cuban spot with a cool ambiance and plantains (swoon). But when we got there, a ...