Ask Dr. Renee: Essence Festival 2019
Essence Festival 2019 was the 25th Anniversary of the event. Essence didn’t disappoint and introduced all sorts of new things this year. Workshops and panels were not only in the convention center, branded after parties, and lots of great activations by their brand partners.
I started out with the press conference hosted by Loni Love host of Cafe Mocha Radio and The Real. One of the big announcements was from Essence owner Richelieu Dennis, he announced the new name of the festival, Essence Festival and Culture. I am looking forward to the next 25 years of the festival and watching his vision unfold.
The first morning of the festival I attended a Disney Breakfast!! Everyone knows how much I LOVE Mickey and Minnie!! We got sneak peeks at Lion King and the new Star Wars exhibit at Disneyland. There were lots of cool virtual experiences and this year ESPN came along for the ride as well.
That first night I attended Essence After Dark Reggae and Afrobeats. You can read my post about that AMAZING and DREAM COME TRUE experience.
Next were the workshops and panels in the E-suite and Wellness House!! Kinna Thomas and Patti LaBelle work together at Walmart and made a lot of delicious foods at Essence Eats. Kinna also talk about work, life balance in the E-Suite. Loretta Devine was at Essence with the cast of the Netflix series Family Reunion. Teddy Riley curated a set at the Superdome. Silence the Shame presented a wonderful discussion about grief in the Wellness House. There was also a Fashion House that had lots of discussions about fashion and beauty. I enjoyed this concept and look forward to see how it expands next year. For those that have never attended all the workshops and panels took place in the convention center.
I can’t wait to attend next year because I know it will be even bigger and better!
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