Essence Fest and New Orleans "ain't breaking up"
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Caroline A. Wanga, CEO of Essence Ventures, and Mayor LaToya Cantrell attend the 2024 Essence Festival of Culture kickoff event on July 4 in New Orleans. Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence
Essence Fest closed out its 30th year in New Orleans Sunday night, and officials say the two entities "ain't breaking up."
Why it matters: Essence expected to bring about 500,000 people to town with an estimated $300 million economic impact, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said, with a star power-infused lineup that included Serena Williams, Usher, Janet Jackson and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The big picture: Essence made an effort this year to emphasize New Orleans, which Essence Ventures CEO Caroline Wanga called the real star of the fest.
- Friday night's show at the Caesars Superdome was a tribute to New Orleans record label Cash Money Records with a surprise appearance from Hollygrove native Lil Wayne. (Photos)
- The magazine's four covers featured colorful Mardi Gras Indians, and the stories centered on the city, including a love letter to New Orleans.
- The city's Black artists and culture bearers were highlighted throughout, with Cantrell saying it makes sense for the "most Afrocentric city on the planet" to host Essence.
Yes, but: Things haven't always been rosy. The clean zone has been contentious in recent years.
- Festival organizers like the clean zone because it limits competition, while local businesses say the rules infringe on their ability to operate. The City Council made changes this year to find middle ground.
- "We are interested in continuing to go together. We ain't breaking up. We're going to go to counseling. We're gonna take Saturdays off," Wanga joked. "Because the culture needs us."
Zoom in: The Essence Festival of Culture is best thought of as an umbrella under which organizers slot dozens of events, but they all stitch together for a nonstop experience for its thousands of attendees.
- Ambling through the convention center, you find dozens of mini-boutiques, stages, demonstrations, panels, celebrity pop-ups and even a McDonald's food truck as sponsors compete for attention.
- Among the most popular attractions are the dozens of gift bags big name sponsors fill with freebies, like Mielle beauty products and green glittery mouse ears Disney created in honor of Princess Tiana to advertise its new ride.
Highlights: VP Kamala Harris was one of the big moments this year as Biden's debate performance raised her as a clear alternative to the president.
- Serena Williams also was in town and was honored as Essence's investor of the year. (Photos)
- At the Caesars Superdome, Janet Jackson and Usher headlined, and dozens of other performers took the stage.
The bottom line: Essence has grown into "Davos for Black women," former New Orleans mayor Marc Morial told the crowd, referencing the elite global forum that draws people to discuss economic, social, cultural and artistic interests.
- "We are a force to be reckoned with," added Mikki Taylor, a longtime Essence editor.
Go deeper:
- Usher got us fallin' in love at Essence performance.
- Kamala Harris isn't talking about Biden at Essence Fest appearance.
- Lil Wayne surprises at Essence's Cash Money Records tribute.
- Serena Williams has "a thing" for beignets and Princess Tiana.
- Exclusive: Essence's love letter to New Orleans on fest's 30th anniversary.
- Photos from Disney's Essence brunch at Dooky Chase's.
- Here's what Sunday looked like inside the convention center.