DAY FOUR OF THE 2024 ESSENCE FESTIVAL OF CULTURE™ PRESENTED BY COCA-COLA® 

Day four of the ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® concluded the 30th birthday celebration of the cultural milestone with another round of sunrise to sunset unforgettable moments with appearances during daytime events from actress, singer, and producer Keke Palmer, voting rights activist Stacey Abrams, charttoping Afrobeats singer and actress Tiwa Savage, legendary comedian, host, and actor Rickey Smiley, iconic actress Regina Hall, award-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and dancer Mya, TV personality and entrepreneur Karen Huger, actress and TV personality Garcelle Beauvais, actress and producer Marsai Martin, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and more! The nighttime performances gave us an incredible show with 2024 festival headliner and global icon Janet Jackson, alongside performances by Victoria Monét, SWV, Tank and The Bangas featuring Teedra Moses, Hasizzle, and Dawn Richard, and a special tribute to Frankie Beverly and Maze curated by Bryan-Michael Cox.

On the final day of the ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™, the daytime experiences ended in celebration with highlights including:

  • Producer and author DeVon Franklin led Sunday Service featuring performances by Xavier University Choir, Dillard University Choir, Warren Easton Charter High School Choir, and the NFL Players Choir on the ESSENCE Stage™.
  • Award-winning actresses Anika Noni Rose and Jenifer Lewis shared the importance of multigenerational storytelling from the big screen to the trailblazing Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort on the ESSENCE Stage™.
  • Following the celebration of Hip-Hop 50, iconic femcees Rapsody, Lady London, and Mia X joined the ESSENCE Stage™ to explore the emerging generation of women in Hip-Hop and what’s next in a culture during a conversation moderated by DEDE McGuire.
  • Legendary comedian, host, and actor Rickey Smiley joined ESSENCE Authors™ for a conversation on his upcoming book, which explores his personal journey of navigating loss and embracing faith, followed by actor Jay Ellis sharing insights on holding space for complex truths with creativity.
  • Legendary singer Mya and celebrated wellness coach Queen Afua discussed their life changing journey to using food as fuel through veganism during a fireside chat at the ESSENCE Food & Wine Festival™.
  • NPR Tiny Desk Concert creator Bobby Carter stopped by the SUEDE: Men’s Experience™ (formerly known as In His Zone) to share the behind-the-scenes of the increasingly growing roster of artists and icons who have performed at the platform, followed by seasoned sports journalists Stephen A. Smith and Jemele Hill leading a discussion of the state of Black representation in sports broadcasting. 
  • ESSENCE Wellness House® concluded the exploration of the intersectionalities of healthy lifestyles by delving into the mysteries of African astrology with Samuel F. Reynolds.
  • Senior Beauty Editor at Well+Good Aimee Simeon, media personality Chanen Johnson and ESSENCE Lifestyle Editor, Victoria Uwumarogie explored how beauty routines have adapted in their lives after becoming mothers at BEAUTYCON™: @ESSENCEFEST Edition.
  • The AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA™ stage was a utopia of musical performances and artistic rebellion, immersing audiences into a world that dismantles oppressive stereotypes. Notable celebrities like Samuel Reynolds, TREYYPOUND, and Kanene Ayo Holder graced the stage, mesmerizing attendees with their Afrobeats vibes.
  • Notable speakers and panelists at the NEW VOICES ENTREPRENEUR HUB™ included industry leaders such as Co-Founder of SHE Breaks Barriers  Breonna James, Empowerment Expert and Founder of Aware Network Corp Kenyatta “Young” Nelson, and CEO and Founder of The Powerhouse NYC  Aneilia Murphy in shared insights on building successful ventures, accessing funding, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.
  • ESSENCE® GU® CREATORS HOUSE hosted an array of renowned content creators, industry experts, and cultural icons for an unforgettable day including Taty Cokley, Clarke Peoples, Karen Huger and Rayvin Huger. The event showcased a dynamic lineup of discussions, and experiences focused on elevating the voices and stories of Black creatives. Attendees engaged in thought-provoking conversations on the future of content creation, the impact of social media on personal narratives, and the importance of representation in all forms of media. 

The highest grossest performer in the 30-year history of ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™, global icon Janet Jackson, took music devotees on a journey through her career, followed by the a farewell and tribute performance to the legendary Frankie Beverly and Maze curated by the multifaceted Grammy-award winning producer and songwriter Bryan Michael-Cox featuring surprise performances by Grammy-award winning R&B singer Anthony Hamilton, R&B singer and songwriter Bilal, Grammy-nominated R&B songstress and songwriter Lil’ Mo, and chart-topping R&B group Jagged Edge. Alongside performances from Grammy-award winning singer, producer, and songwriter Victoria Monét with special guest Lucky Daye, legendary R&B group SWV, a tribute to rich cultural heritage of New Orleans musicians featuring Grammy-nominated musical group Tank and the Bangas with Teedra Moses, Hasizzle, and Dawn Richard. 

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 07: (L-R) Bridget Kelly, Corey Stokes, SVP, Creative, Essence Ventures, Zerina Akers and Sergio Hudson speak during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 07: Mya performs onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 07: (L-R) Tiffany Cross, Crystal Mason, Andrew Gillum, Jasmine Crockett and Angela Rye speak during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 07: (L-R) Richelieu Dennis, Founder & Chairman, Essence Ventures and Tarun Malkani, CEO, PDC Brand speaks during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 07: D-Nice speaks during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 07:(L-R) Romney Edwards, Kendyll Locke, Sesha Joi Moon, Jasmine Crockett, Adjoa B. Asamoah and Jennifer Willis attend the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 07: (L-R) LeLee Lyons, Coko and Taj George from SWV perform onstage during Day 3 of the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Caesars Superdome on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 07: Frankie Beverly receives a gift onstage during Day 3 of the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Caesars Superdome on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 07: Ayanna Pressley attends during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)