First-Ever Virtual Festival Includes Two UNSTOPPABLE Weekends of #ESSENCEFEST

WHAT:​           ESSENCE, the leading media, technology, and commerce company serving Black women and communities, today announced new additions to its stellar line-up for the 2020 ESSENCE Festival of Culture: Unstoppable Virtual Experience Presented by Coca-Cola. Taking place June 25-28 and July 2-5 (Thursdays-Sundays) and streaming on ESSENCEStudios.com, the multi-day experience will extend to a global audience of viewers and feature virtual performances, summits, panels and more including leading musical artists, influencers and experts from around the world.

For the first time in the Festival’s 26-year history, the much-anticipated celebration – which annually draws more than 500,000 attendees and contributes almost $300 million in economic impact over July 4th weekend in New Orleans–will be produced as a fully virtual experience spanning two weekends of programming that entertain, empower, inspire, educate and mobilize. This year, in partnership with Michelle Obama’s national, nonpartisan organization, When We All Vote, ESSENCE will share voter registration and voting resources. The Festival will also include a benefit initiative to raise funds to support the critical needs and sustainability of Black and Brown entrepreneurs, micro and small businesses, and organizations focused on racial equity across the U.S. For an up-to-date artist lineup and schedule, click here.  The 2020 ESSENCE Festival is presented by Coca-Cola.  Major sponsors include Ford, McDonald’s, Walmart, My Black is Beautiful, P&G. For more information and to register, visit www.essencefestival.com.  Join the conversation via social @EssenceFest.

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WHO:​              NEWLY ANNOUNCED: First Lady Michelle Obama; Kerry Washington; Naomi Campbell; Lena Waithe; Ayesha and Stephen Curry; Rev. Al Sharpton; Marc Morial; Tamika Mallory; Tarana Burke; Jon Batiste; Chronixx; Michaela Coel; Wyclef; Iyanla Vanzant; Sarah Jessica Parker; Iman Shumpert & Teyana Taylor. PLUS: Marco Borges; Jemele Hill; Misa Hylton; Jeanette Jenkins; MC LyteJodie Patterson; Michael Jai White & Gillian White; Ebonie K. Williams; and many more.

Previously announced performers include:

Headliner Bruno Mars plus: Amanda Black, Andra Day, Bell Biv Devoe (“BBD”), Burna Boy, Common, D-Nice, Damian Marley, Diamond Platnumz, Doug E. Fresh, Elephant Man, Estelle, India.Arie, John Legend, Ledisi, NAS, Patti LaBelle, Raphael Saadiq, Rapsody, Sauti Sol, Shaggy, Swizz Beatz, and more, hosted by Loni Love.  Leading a special tribute to the city of New Orleans will be Mayor LaToya Cantrell, PJ Morton, Big Freedia, Irma Thomas, Tank and The Bangas and Big 6 Brass Band.  Also, featured in the popular Sunday gospel Get Lifted celebration are Anita Wilson, Bri Babineaux, Erica Campbell, Fred Hammond, Greater Sound of Greater St. Stephen FGBC, Jonathan McReynolds, Kierra Sheard, Kirk Franklin, Koryn Hawthorne, Marvin Sapp, Tamela Mann, The Clark Sisters, The Walls Group, Tye Tribbett, and more, along with Sunday sermons from Bishop Paul S. Morton and Bishop T.D. Jakes.

Other culture-leaders and influencers raising their voices to speak include New Orleans, LA, Mayor LaToya Cantrell; Atlanta, GA, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms; Chicago, IL, Mayor Lori Lightfoot; Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser; Ferguson, MO, Mayor-Elect Ella Jones; San Francisco, CA, Mayor London Breed; Don Lemon; Ryan Michelle Bathe; Kirk and Tammy Franklin; Lori Harvey; Ryan Destiny; Lexi Underwood; Egypt Sherrod; Lisa Nichols; Master P.; Shaun T.; Tabitha Brown and more.

*Artists and schedules are subject to change.

 

WEEK 1 (6/25-6/28):

ESSENCE #BlackWomenInHollywood Luncheon – Mustang Empowerment Corner

The ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon sponsored by Ford was a star-studded and empowerment filled event full of love and tears of joy as ESSENCE honored some boss women at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Sisterhood was on full display as some of the industry’s top leading ladies came together to celebrate the honorees including “Black Panther” star Danai Gurira, actress Tessa Thompson of “Dear White People”, “Girl’s Trip” actress, author, and comedian Tiffany Haddish, and actress, producer, and screenwriter Lena Waithe, who received the Ford Vanguard of Feminism Award.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MARCH 01: Amandla Stenberg attends the 2018 Essence Black Women In Hollywood Oscars Luncheon at Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on March 1, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Essence)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MARCH 01: Tiffany Haddish (L) June Ambrose attends the 2018 Essence Black Women In Hollywood Oscars Luncheon at Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on March 1, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for Essence)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MARCH 01: Susan Kelechi Watson attends the 2018 Essence Black Women In Hollywood Oscars Luncheon at Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on March 1, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Essence)

The Ford Mustang Empowerment Corner was nothing short of motivating as fashion muva (mother) June Ambrose interviewed the stars in front of the all-new 2018 Mustang, which is the most personalized ever and offers more customization than ever before as fans can create and share Mustang art through the “Personalize Your Pony” experience on Facebook. The experience allows fans to create personalized pony art right on their Facebook pages, then use their custom designs to order prints, clothing, mugs, phone cases and even a limited-edition grille badge for their late-model Mustangs.

During Tiffany Haddish’s acceptance speech, the new author told a story about being homeless and living in her car before she hit it big and joked “I heard if you mention a car company they’ll give you a car. So, Ford, maybe I can get me a nice Ford car!” which sent the room up in laughs.

The event was nothing short of brilliant and the perfect way to celebrate the sisterhood of boss women.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MARCH 01: (L-R) Tessa Thompson, Lena Waithe, Tiffany Haddish and Yvonne Orji attend the 2018 Essence Black Women In Hollywood Oscars Luncheon at Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on March 1, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Essence)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MARCH 01: Angela Bassett attends the 2018 Essence Black Women In Hollywood Oscars Luncheon at Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on March 1, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for Essence)

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MARCH 01: Tiffany Haddish attends the 2018 Essence Black Women In Hollywood Oscars Luncheon at Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on March 1, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for Essence)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MARCH 01: Jennifer M. Edwards speaks onstage during the 2018 Essence Black Women In Hollywood Oscars Luncheon at Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on March 1, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Essence)