ESSENCE Festival of Culture (@essencefest)

Get ready to say “Uhh!” one last time—because the Ice Cream Man himself is coming home for a historic send-off! Master P, the iconic mogul and mastermind behind No Limit Records, is taking his final bow at the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® in none other than his beloved hometown of New…

We know. You were refreshing our feed. You were texting the group chat like, “They better not play with us this year.” The 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® is back in New Orleans July 4 to 6th (but you already knew that.) Back to the matter at hand: the first wave of the…

Pssssttt...Did you get your ticket? Don't get caught slipping! ESSENCE Fest is THE place to be this summer... Secure your tickets now! Ticket link in bio!

ESSENCE Festival 2025 is Made Like This—a celebration of our culture, our power, and our legacy. Tickets are on sale now, and this year, we’re bringing even more unforgettable moments to New Orleans. From iconic performances to conversations that move the culture forward, this is where we show up…

Spotlighting New Orleans’ own Greg Monroe—a professional basketball player and community advocate. After making a name in the NBA, Greg has remained dedicated to uplifting others through the Greg K Monroe Foundation, which provides mentorship, educational resources, and personal growth…

Spotlighting New Orleans’ own Burnell Taylor, the soulful singer who captured the nation’s heart with his unforgettable performances on American Idol. Known for his powerful vocals and genuine stage presence, Burnell quickly became a fan favorite on the hit show, marking his place as a voice to…

Spotlighting New Orleans’ own multidisciplinary artist, Courtney “Ceaux” Buckley, whose vibrant paintings capture the soul and rhythm of the city. For over a decade, Ceaux's art has become a vital part of New Orleans’ cultural landscape, with his work featured at the Axiom Gallery, The McKenna…

Up next, spotlighting New Orleans changemaker Edward Buckles Jr.! As a visionary filmmaker, Buckles merges fine art with guerrilla-style documentation, creating powerful narratives that honor Black communities. His debut HBO documentary "Katrina Babies" premiered at the Tribeca Festival, earning…

Up next, spotlighting New Orleans changemaker Mack Terrance Sr.! As the owner of Motivation Team Athletic Academy and founder of the nonprofit Cultivating Youth, Mack is dedicated to empowering the community through health, mentorship, and education. Produced by : @JahzeTv Capture/ Edited by…

Up next, spotlighting New Orleans changemaker, Chef Ashley Jonique! A true NOLA native, Chef Ashley brings bold flavors and vibrant artistry to every dish she creates. With a passion for food and years of experience catering for stars like Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott, and Niecy Nash, she’s made…

Walkint into the new week like 💃🏾 🎥 WNBA

We're continuing our series highlighting New Orleans changemakers, and next up is emerging artist G4! Hailing from the 7th Ward, G4 is best known for his raw, powerful "No Gus No Glory" story series. Beyond music, G4 is making a real impact in the city. He recently organized a Back-to-School Drive…

We’re kicking off a new series spotlighting New Orleans changemakers, and first up is Ashley Webb, co-owner of Barcelo Gardens 🌱 Barcelo Gardens is more than just a market. It’s a space where residents can learn, grow, and thrive through gardening classes, workshops, and access to locally grown…

As we say farewell to the legendary Frankie Beverly, we honor a legacy that will forever be etched in the heart of ESSENCE Festival of Culture. For 15 years, you’ve graced our stage, closing out the festival with soul, love, and timeless music that brought us all together. Thank you for the…

Us at SUPER BOWL LIX in New Orleans 💃🏾 🕺🏾 Edit by @mela_yela

Here's a little breffus to go with your morning coffee. No need to thank us. It's on the house. #essencefest30

And this is why access and exposure is so important. Being able to see our hopes and dreams realized by people that look like us gives us more reassurance that the very thing we aspire towards IS within our grasp.

Say what now? Durand Bernarr pulling up to AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA BROOKLYN this weekend? This is your cue to get your tickets. Celebratory weekend kicks off TUH-DAY! Here's a flashback from his amazing performance at our 30th birthday party. #EssenceFest30

And as of August 22, 2024, we witnessed The First woman of Black and Asian descent to be nominated by a major party for the Presidency of The United States. #kamalaharris #EssenceFest

When you stay informed, you stay armed. We are in the THICK of a very important election season and with a so many voices coming from every which way, it is imperative that we remain informed and educated on the issues. However, as our good sister Nicole Austin-Hillery just expressed, we have to…

Because we can only be as successful as those coming along behind us. When we are fortunate enough to excel greatly in our talents and be rewarded because of it (whether through our finances, our titles, or our network), it is imperative to be a bridge for our community. Thank you Terrence J for…

Because who out here working harder than Damita Jo .... NOBODY! Ms. Jackson just announced her new residency at Resorts World Las Vegas launching New Year’s week and tickets go on sale Wednesday, August 28 at 10am PT. Y'all popping out at the residency ?!?!

Didn't get a chance to hit an 8 count with the amazing Amari Marshall at our AfroPunk activation at ESSENCE Fest? We Got You. Get your tickets to AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA BKLYN where Amari will be our Journey General. Yes, it will be A TIME!

In case you needed a reminder, THIS is a Regina King stan account. We appreciate and We love you too.

One thing our folks know how to do is operate outside of a box and do it with finesse. The stories we tell and how we decide to tell them is OUR business. Did you attend our Film Festival activation at ESSENCE Fest? What were some of your favorite moments?

At this year's Essence Fest, we had the opportunity to debut Luther: Never Too Much, the highly anticipated feature documentary on the life and legacy of the incomparable Luther Vandross. Director, Dawn Porter shared her insight on how she navigated one of the most delicate topics of Luther's life…

Food and a beverage? We’ll cheers to that! Target made sure the ESSIES were well-fed at the Food and Beverage lounge during the ESSENCE Festival of Culture. ESSIES, what's your favorite snack from Target? #essencefest30 #essencefestxtarget

If you have a few moments to spare, we highly encourage this exercise. "Although I feel ______, I choose to embrace __________." Sometimes we need mid-day reminders to slow down and just be in the moment. #EssenceFest30

Dreka Gates shared how connecting directly with the source of our meals can transform our health, our community, and our impact on the earth. This conversation is all about empowering us to be part of a vibrant food future, where every choice we make plants a seed for change. #ESSENCEFest30

Happy Birthday to one of our favs. Marsai, we've watched you grow up before our very eyes into a beautiful and talented woman. Cheers to many more from your ESSENCE Fest Family.