Essence Festival Concludes 30th Anniversary with Record Impact on New Orleans
The event culminated with performances by Janet Jackson and a heartfelt tribute to Frankie Beverly & Maze. Beverly, 77, who has announced his retirement from live performances, shared a poignant farewell with the audience.
NEW ORLEANS — The Essence Festival of Culture, the nation’s largest annual celebration of Black culture, wrapped up its 30th anniversary on Sunday, marking a significant milestone with an estimated $300 million impact on the city and state. Since its inception in 1994, the festival has attracted over 500,000 attendees.
This year’s festivities, themed “We Love Us,” brought together a diverse array of artists and cultural experiences. The event culminated with performances by Janet Jackson and a heartfelt tribute to Frankie Beverly & Maze. Beverly, 77, who has announced his retirement from live performances, shared a poignant farewell with the audience.
Additional performances featured Victoria Monét, Teedra Moses, Tank and the Bangas, Dawn Richard, SWV, Jagged Edge, Bilal, and Anthony Hamilton, showcasing the festival’s broad musical range.
Barkue Tubman-Zawolo, Chief of Staff, Talent and Diasporic Engagement for Essence Ventures, emphasized the festival’s role in uniting the global Black community. “Historically, as Black people, sometimes we're not sure where our heritage comes from,” Tubman-Zawolo said. “America is just one place. But within America, there’s a melting pot of different Black cultures: Africa, Latin, Europe, the Caribbean. Understanding that allows our power to be even greater.”
This year’s event featured a diverse lineup of activities, including a Film Festival with storytellers from Nigeria, Ghana, and the Caribbean, the Food and Wine stage highlighting Caribbean and African cuisine, and the Soko Marketplace with global vendors. The Caesars Superdome stage spotlighted artists like Machel Montano of Trinidad and Ayra Starr of Nigeria, further emphasizing the festival's international reach.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell highlighted the significance of the “We Love Us” theme in fostering community building. “This whole ‘We Love Us’ theme brought us together to build communities,” she said.
Essence Festival, originally launched to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine, has evolved to include locals in its cultural tapestry. “The locals are being incorporated in a manner that we can see and touch and feel and smell. That has been a part of the evolution of Essence,” Cantrell added.
While the current contract for the festival ends in 2026, Essence Ventures CEO Caroline Wanga reaffirmed New Orleans as the event’s “forever home.” Mayor Cantrell echoed this sentiment, stating, “We have a foundation that's been laid over 30 years. The city is always ready and prepared to host this event and more. I think staying in New Orleans is the best fit and best marriage, the best partnership.”
The Essence Festival continues to be a vital celebration of Black culture, bringing together a global community in the heart of New Orleans.
