Style [+] Life [+] Fashion by [@kwest1908]
Celebrities, Politicians, and Forever First Lady Michelle Obama speak onstage at 2019 ESSENCE Festival Presented By Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Daytime Photos
Nighttime Photos
Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Today ESSENCE Communications, Inc. announced that the 2019 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola will host exclusive keynote conversations with five of the leading Democratic contenders in the 2020 Presidential race, including Senator Cory Booker, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Senator Kamala Harris, Former Representative Beto O’Rourke and Senator Elizabeth Warren. These live ‘Presidential Spotlight’ segments will take place on Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7, 2019, on the ESSENCE Power Stage at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. Following the candidates’ remarks, a question-and answer session with each will be led by Rev. Al Sharpton, CEO of ESSENCE Michelle Ebanks and founder and chair of Essence Ventures Richelieu Dennis and will be aired on MSNBC’s PoliticsNation with Al Sharpton.
Attracting an audience of 500,000-plus attendees over July 4th weekend and a total economic impact of roughly $4 billion over 25 years, the ESSENCE Festival has created a “home” for Black communities as the world’s largest cultural, entertainment and empowerment experience. Beyond its ongoing coverage of key civic participation and political news, ESSENCE utilizes its Festival platform to go even deeper in its delivery of engagement and content that informs, enlightens and provides an open forum to discuss the issues of most importance to Black women, who represent a critical voting bloc wielding increased electoral influence.
“As we look towards the 2020 Presidential election, the importance of Black women and their decisive role in the pathway to victory is undeniable,” said Michelle Ebanks, Chief Executive Officer of ESSENCE Communications. “We are thrilled to offer an opportunity at our 25th Anniversary ESSENCE Festival for our community to hear directly from some of the top candidates in the 2020 Presidential field as they discuss issues that matter most to our community – and how their individual visions and policies align with those issues. As the largest annual gathering of Black women in the country, the ESSENCE Festival is a powerful platform to engage this critically influential and diverse segment of voters, who have had historically high turnout in recent years. It is more clear today than ever that engaging with Black women in a meaningful way isn’t optional. It is necessary.”
Each candidate will appear individually to outline his or her platform, addressing a live audience from the Power Stage at the ESSENCE Festival’s daytime experience. Candidates will then field questions generated directly from the ESSENCE community, which includes more than 24 million Black women. The ‘Presidential Spotlight’ segments will take place throughout the day, with each candidate appearing for 20 minutes:
Saturday, July 6:
Sunday, July 7:
Attendance is free and open to the public at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. For more information, download the ESSENCE Festival app or visit essence.com/festival.
The ESSENCE Festival is sponsored by Coca-Cola, AT&T, Disney, Ford, McDonald’s, State Farm and Walmart. The ESSENCE Festival is produced by ESSENCE Communications, Inc.
Angela Simmons was seen wearing a mustard day dress! This photo was shared on Instagram and provides summer style inspiration.
The dress can be purchased from Fashion Nova.
Today’s most seasoned business moguls and inspiring entrepreneurs will gather at the first Annual Global Black Economic Forum, taking place Friday, July 5th and Saturday, July 6th at the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) in New Orleans during the 25th Anniversary ESSENCE Festival. The mission of the highly anticipated event will be to illuminate the road ahead towards building economic empowerment and generational wealth within the Black diaspora globally. Sponsors of the Global Black Economic Forum are Disney, Facebook, and Walmart.
“ESSENCE® is proud to announce the Global Black Economic Forum, set to empower and ignite Black entrepreneurs and business executives everywhere,” said ESSENCE Chief Executive Officer Michelle Ebanks. “With the inception of this forum, we are bringing together the best and the brightest to sit before our community and have a much-needed discussion on leveraging globalization trends and building generational wealth within our communities.”
Event highlights include panel discussions with today’s leading cultural, societal and economic voices to address the state of the Black economy; conversations with today’s most innovative globalization and technology leaders; networking among corporate executives, business moguls, venture capitalists and more. Global Economic Forum speakers scheduled to attend include: Founder and President of the National Action Network Reverend Al Sharpton, Mayor of Gary, Indiana Karen Freeman Wilson, President and Founder of The Raben Group Robert Raben, Chief Executive of CHASE consumer banking Thasunda Duckett, Co-Founder of Andreessen Horowitz Ben Horowitz, Founder of LISNR Rodney Williams, Director and Producer Sidra Smith, President of the National Urban League Marc. H Morial, Managing Director of Double Impact at Bain Capital Greg Shell, Chief Executive Officer of Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson and more. Topics will span from roundtables with CEO’s, global leadership throughout the diaspora, leveraging our culture for economic advantage, criminal justice reform, political policies to drive economic change and more.
This event is one you don’t want to miss! To purchase tickets or for more information, visit essencefestival.com/gbef.
Ciara has stepped into her own and has a new haircut to prove it! She was seen attending the ACE Awards wearing high-waisted trousers and diamante top.
The Beauty Marks singer accepted the Style Icon Award.
Deadline recently announced that Actress, Comedian, Host, Social Influencer and TV personality, Tami Roman (MTV’s The Real World and VH1’s Basketball Wives LA), inked an overall deal to develop and produce alternative and scripted content with prolific producer, Mona Scott-Young and Monami Productions.
The first project from the powerhouse executive producing duo, Tami Ever After, debuts on VH1 Wednesday, June 19th and was just announced via People Magazine. The special highlights Roman’s relationship with longtime boyfriend, Reggie Youngblood and blends his hilarious and entertaining family from Houston, TX with Roman’s popular and charismatic daughters.
Additional series include ensemble cast docu-follows, “Queen City” and “Big Oil Houston” as well as several scripted and formatted projects. Roman and Scott-Young are focused on expanding their slate beyond unscripted and committed to bringing their productions to Houston where Roman and her family maintain a residence.
“You know, I have grown a lot over the years, and I want my presence on television to be positive and uplifting,” she added. “I want real women with families who have ups and downs to be able to relate to me and feel inspired and empowered knowing they can push through anything.” – Tami Roman
Atlanta entrepreneur Talia Oliver will be bringing big names to New Orleans during the Essence Festival weekend, for a party with a purpose about emotional intelligence and mental health issues. The headlining event, titled “The Essence of Emotional Intelligence: Demonstrating How To Foster Healthy Friendships, Romantic Relationships and Business Partnerships”, will be held on Friday, July 5th at the historic Carver Theater in New Orleans. Two amazing ladies — Randi Rossario Maples and Tamisha Monet — will be joining Talia in a panel discussion about the importance of having emotional intelligence, while building various relationships in this digital age we are living in.
Randi Rossario is a media mogul, author, life and empowerment coach, and the owner of Oh So Radio, an internet/app based radio station based in Metro-Detroit. She uses her platform to help others on a daily basis, delivering encouragement and wisdom through her morning videos. Randi currently has a combined social media following of over 250 thousand people, with a weekly reach of over 5 million accounts per week.
Tamisha Monet is a certified life coach, having received her certification from the reputable Tony Gaskins Life Coaching Academy. She has a plethora of spiritual gifts that she accesses regularly through her work as a certified Astrologer and Master Reiki Practitioner.
Other guest speakers will include Atlanta entrepreneur Christopher Williams, who recently became the youngest black franchise owner will be telling his story about how he raised over $250,000 and went from homeless to franchise owner in just a year. Atlanta entrepreneur Taylor Deathridge, owner of the only one-stop-shop beauty loft in ATL will be interviewed live about having it all; the dream career, the fairytale love story while balancing a huge life-changing struggle.
Talia will be partnering with A Bella La Femme Society to give away three scholarships to three very lucky attendees. A Bella LaFemme Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that provides collegiate minority women with scholarships to promote mental wellness. The mental wellness scholarships may be utilized at the desire of the recipients. ABLS is also committed to serving the community across the state of Louisiana by providing free self-defense and gun safety courses, Heels & Steels ®. The courses are structured to empower, alleviate hardships, and to build resourceful sisterhoods in their communities.
Not only will this event be filled with food for thought, but a lot of delicious food will also be prepared and served by Chef Sell (@SellsCajunCooking on Instagram). His mouthwatering Cajun chicken and seafood alfredo have been nominated for Best Pasta in Atlanta by Terrapin Brewery.
Please join us Fri. Jul. 5th, 2019 at 3 P.M. at the Carver Theater (2101 Orleans Avenue, New Orleans, LA) for an afternoon of good discussion, good company, and a great time.
About Talia Oliver
Having served as one of the original writers at The Shade Room and a contributor for The Singers Room, Talia went on to create the burgeoning media platform “The Closet Ratchet” which has become the voice of the intellectual and spiritual yet “closeted” ratchet people who utilize social media. In addition, Talia is a published author, a small business owner and an inspirational speaker to young mothers and entrepreneurs. For more information, contact Talia Oliver at (470)292-1811 or taliaoliver716@gmail.com
Beyonce was spotted attending the 2019 AFI Awards. She presented Melina Matsoukas with the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal.
Photos from the event were shared via Instagram.
Mindy Kaling arrived at the premiere of LATE NIGHT wearing a black lace dress by Valentino with White Diamond Statement Earrings by Gismondi1754.
GISMONDI1754
Nuvole Bianche Earrings
Earrings, 28.00 ct. D Color White Diamonds15 ct Emeralds & 1
According to CEO and creative director of the high jewelry house, Massimo Gismondi, “the natural shape, color, and composition of these stones require just the most minimal setting to showcase their majestic, natural beauty”. Set to showcase almost a full 360 look at the stones, Mr. Gismondi said, “they give the appearance they are simply floating on air, just as the brightest, whitest clouds appear to be floating in the bright blue sky.”
Jewelry: GISMONDI1754
Instagram: @Gismondi1754
Styled By: Jason Bolden @JasonBolden
About Gismondi 1754:
Seven Generations – One Passion. The excellence and expertise of the Genoa-based high-jewelry brand renowned for jewelry as art, Gismondi combines centuries of craftsmanship and rich history of design over seven generations. With meticulous attention to modernity and references to the artisans of the past, it is a perfect link; connecting the memory of the past and the radiant future. In Gismondi jewels, the manufacturing excellence of the family tradition combines beauty with passion and technology under the leadership of its youngest family descendent, Massimo Gismondi. Gismondi 1754 is sold in the US and globally at fine jewelers as well as in its signature stores in Portofino, Genoa, Capri, Milan, London, and St. Moritz.