creative. sincere. loving. fun.
Teyana Taylor Didn’t Just Curate ESSENCE Festival—She Curated a Fashion Moment When Teyana Taylor was named Chief Curator of the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, everyone expected bold creativity and she delivered on every level. Throughout the weekend, her artistic vision could be felt across the festival, from unforgettable performances inside the Caesars Superdome to […]
Tevin Campbell delivered one of the most unforgettable moments of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture, taking the stage for a breathtaking performance of his timeless 1993 R&B anthem, “Can We Talk.” With his signature vocals still as smooth and powerful as ever, Tevin had the entire Superdome singing every lyric right along with him and […]
If there was one star who truly captured the joyful spirit of the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, it was undoubtedly Keke Palmer. The multi-talented actress, entrepreneur, and media personality was everywhere throughout the weekend, bringing her signature charm, authenticity, and infectious energy to every appearance. Palmer kicked off the festivities by moderating an inspiring […]
As a premier entertainment sponsor of the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture™, The Walt Disney Company once again brought its signature blend of storytelling, creativity, and joy to New Orleans. Through immersive activations, engaging panel discussions, and appearances from some of its biggest stars, Disney celebrated the power of representation while spotlighting stories that foster […]
The 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® Presented by Coca-Cola® officially kicked off inside the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center with its inspiring theme, “We Love Us,” setting the stage for an unforgettable weekend celebrating Black excellence, culture, beauty, music, and entrepreneurship. Festivalgoers explored a dynamic lineup of daytime experiences, including the We Love Us Marketplace, […]
The Walt Disney Company returned in a big way as a premier entertainment sponsor of the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, bringing its signature storytelling, creativity, and magic to one of the nation’s largest celebrations of Black culture. Held July 3–5 in New Orleans, this year’s festival embraced the theme of connection, community, and joy […]
ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola is stepping into a new era of style and storytelling, tapping Teyana Taylor and her visionary collective, The Aunties, as Chief Curator for the 2026 celebration, set for July 3–5 in New Orleans. The newly created role places Taylor at the helm of the festival’s creative direction, where […]