‘Girls Trip’ Film Helped #ESSENCEFest 2018 Become The Biggest Year Yet!
If you missed it this year, you may want to start booking your hotel now as they are sure to be sold out closer to the date.
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by For the 2018 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola, thousands of gorgeous black women intentionally formed posses for a Girls Trip in New Orleans. They donned group colors and uniquely personalized tee shirts to purposely celebrate themselves during the Fourth of July weekend.
More than half a million locals, return visitors, and an unprecedented number of first-time attendees made this year’s ESSENCE Festival turnout, one of the largest in its 24-year history. For the first-time ever, the three nights of extraordinary concert entertainment at the Mercedes Benz Superdome sold out.
“This is literally bringing tears to my eyes seeing all these beautiful black people together in one place, in harmony, and love..we can do whatever we set our minds to…,” said Maryland resident M. Lynn Taylor. Michelle Ebanks, President, ESSENCE Communications said of this year’s gathering, “as one of the country’s largest curated live experiences, the ESSENCE Festival engages Black women globally—through a truly unique celebration of culture, connection to community and access to content that inspires and empowers.”
On Thursday, July 5th, ESSENCE organized an amazing day of service for giving back to the City of New Orleans. Volunteers along with festival partners enthusiastically worked on various community projects around the city.
During the official days of EssenceFest, July 6th through July 8th, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, bursting at it seams with people, offered free “Conference & Expos” with programming covering Beauty & Style, Business & Entrepreneurship, Technology, Powerhouse Speakers, Fan Zone & Screening Room, and more. The festival live-streamed daytime programming this year on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and also created a Snapchat Live special.
On Friday, July 6th, OurBKSocial viewed clips from If Beale Street Could Talk, a riveting love story written and directed by Academy Award winner, Barry Jenkins. The film, based on the novel of the same name by James Baldwin, stars Kiki Layne, Stephan James, and Emmy Award winner, Regina King. “When we made Moonlight, I knew I had already written the screenplay for If Beale Street Could Talk,” said Jenkins. Understanding black people cover a multitudes of experiences, he dove into this project after getting the go ahead from the Baldwin estate. This must see movie comes out this November.
Among the evening’s highlights at the Superdome, rapper, songwriter, and producer Snoop Dogg turned the main stage into an altar and the audience happily went to church. An onstage brightly lighted cross and stain glass window designs prepared the way for gospel at its best with special guest performances by Fred Hammond, The Clarke Sisters, and John P. Kee. Minister Dogg has moved from the Gin and Juice to Saved.
On Saturday, July 7th, CNN political commentator Angela Rye and Congresswoman Maxine Waters discussed the crucial role Black women have played, and will continue to play, in shaping the political landscape. Waters charged the audience to become influencers by using social media, voting, organizing, and rallying for what they care about.
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Later that afternoon, inspirational speaker and wellness and spiritual coach, Iyanla Vanzant, made the keynote address. Vanzant urged attendees to stop crawling around in the familiar and change their posture, position, and perspective. “Some of us are afraid to go out on a limb to support our own growth, healing, and evolution because it’s unknown, we ain’t in charge, we ain’t in control, and we don’t trust the stardust of divinity to sustain us while we are out there,” said Vanzant.
While Iyanla, during the day, contented we must take time for ourselves and do the work, Queen Latifah presented “Ladies First” during an evening of exciting performances. Dressed in her power red, the Queen brought out to the stage a slew of guests including Missy Elliott, Remy Ma,, Nikki D and Brooklyn’s own MC Lyte for some U.N.I.T.Y.
On the last day of the festival, Sunday, July 8th, spirits were revitalize during the 10th anniversary of the ESSENCE Festival Gospel Tribute. Along with some powerful music and anointed voices lifted up to God, this year’s honoree was icon Dottie Peoples. One of ten children, Peoples is blessed with a soulful voice and a passionate love for the Lord. She is also a successful businesswoman and people person.
Sunday evening on the main stage, American Idol,” star, author, actress and Grammy winner, Fantasia, brought audience members to tears after sharing an intimate video of her brother in the hospital. She then brought him on stage. Xavier Barrino is wheelchair bound after being critically injured in a motorcycle accident September of 2017. As Xavier smiled with hands folded in praise toward Heaven, Fantasia sang and folks could feel that everything will be ok with him.
Concluding the weekend’s events, Janet Jackson showed up for her fans on the main stage despite losing her father less than two weeks before showtime. Her touching tribute through tears spoke volumes. “Without his drive, his strength, we wouldn’t have the success….”And I think my father would’ve said, Janet please. Finish what you’ve started.'” And she did – at 52 years old Janet has still got it.
These are just some of the highlights of the 2018 EssenceFest. There was something for everyone who attended. All of the first timers we interviewed agreed they will definitely be back for the festival’s 25th Anniversary in 2019. However, with the numbers of attendees increasing each year, we would like to see the festival expand to several venues in New Orleans, or maybe become a bi-yearly event, or possibly move to other states. The extremely long lines for food and Convention Center activities, the bumper to bumper traffic, and long waits for Uber drivers took time away from the full ESSENCE Festival experience.
