ESSENCE ANNOUNCES THE ESSENCE ESSENTIAL HEROES AWARDS HONORING ESSENTIAL WORKERS ON THE FRONTLINE OF COVID-19 #myessentialheroes

WHAT:                        As the fight against COVID-19 rages on, government and public health officials work to provide recommendations for reopening America. However, there is a heated debate as to whether these guidelines can do more harm than good—especially for the many essential workers who continue to be on the frontlines helping to ensure the nation’s health, safety, and essential needs are met. Whether working in the nation’s hospitals, grocery stores, restaurants, delivery, and transportation services more, these are the brave women and men risking their lives to ensure that others can stay home safely.

ESSENCE is committed to honoring these workers with its first-ever ESSENCE Essential Heroes Awards program. This three-part, the year-long franchise will highlight those in our community who, despite systematic disparities, have risen to become Essential Heroes during this pandemic. ESSENCE will invite its audience to submit and vote on the essential heroes in their lives and communities for a chance to be featured.

In addition, the 50 ESSENCE Essential Heroes selected will be honored during the virtual ESSENCE Festival of Culture on July 4th, which will be streamed live via ESSENCE Studios.

Share your story and nominate an essential working using the hashtag #myessentialheroes.

WHEN:                                      Submission deadline extended to Tuesday, May 19th via #myessentialheroes