The 6th annual ESSENCE Fashion House brought Black trailblazers, creatives, designers, and fashion enthusiasts together for an unforgettable evening of conversations, showcases, and inspiration.
The 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Awards, held on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at the prestigious Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, was nothing short of a spectacular celebration of Black excellence.
On Saturday, Nov. 11. the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit returned to Atlanta, offering a vibrant celebration of the diverse facets of the black experience. With the support of Coca-Cola and McDonald’s, attendees of all ages gathered for a day filled with panels, beauty, and music.
Throughout the lively event, trays of complimentary McDonald’s French Fries circulated the venue while guests engaged in various activities including photo-booths, crafting flower crowns, and more.
Essence Ventures President & CEO Caroline Wanga kicked off the event with her ‘Disrupt or Be Disrupted’ panel. A thought-provoking episode of the podcast ‘If Not for My Girls’ featured comedian and actress Pretty Vee, rapper BIA, and singer-songwriter Muni Long discussing walking in one’s purpose and aspiring for more.
Girls United Co-Founders Rechelle and Sophia Dennis joined sisters Jordyn and Jodie Wood for a heartfelt conversation on the joys of sisterhood and how they’ve learned eachother. Despite their age gaps, the sisters displayed a genuine closeness that made the panel feel more like a relaxed chat between life-long friends.
Jordyn and Jodie Woods, despite their undeniable impact across social media, have solidified themselves as more than just influencers. Jodie has emerged as an inspiration for the new Gen Z, while Jordyn has continued to establish her brand with her newly launched clothing line, Woods by Jordyn.
Notable personalities such as Aliyah’s Interlude, Yung BBQ, TM Twins, Karma Bridges, Anisa Brenee, and DJ Tootz were also in attendance.
The summit offered diverse interactive experiences, from speed mentorship sessions to a beauty makeover station. In front of a massive photo wall featuring the season 5 cast of ‘If Not for My Girls’—BIA, Muni Long, and Pretty Vee—attendees enjoyed Coca-Cola mocktails at a mocktail bar and explored a Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar photo activation.
Guests personalized airbrushed tote bags and pouches and indulged in some light shopping at the Soko Marketplace, featuring a range of products from jewelry to haircare.
The day concluded with an electrifying performance by Mariah The Scientist, singing her hit songs, including the fan-favorite “Spread Thin.”
The ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Disruptor Summit returns on November 11, 2023, in Atlanta, GA. The one-day event will be held at the PC&E soundstage from 10 AM to 5:30 PM EST and will serve as a safe space for young Black women, girls, and gender-expansive youth engage in panels, workshops, networking, activations, and more.
This year’s theme is “The Era of the Disruption” and inspires the new generation to come together and use their voices, innovate, share ideas and celebrate the richness of the Black experience.
The lineups does not disappoint and includes sister-duo Jordyn & Jodie Woods, Fashion Blogger and Designer Aleali May, Social Media powerhouses Yung BBQ and Aliyah’s Interlude, ESSENCE Ventures President & CEO Caroline Wanga, and a live taping of Season 5 of If Not For My Girls with rapper BIA, singer-songwriter Muni Long and actress and comedian Pretty Vee.
Hailing from South Africa, singer-songwriter Tyla will mark her performance debut at ESSENCE Girls United. Her track “Water” gained TikTok fame and has since made a significant impact in the industry, earning her a No. 1 spot on Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, displacing “Calm Down” by Rema featuring Selena Gomez.
“ESSENCE GU continues to embrace the values of empowerment and leadership. With a strong focus on personal development, intellectual growth, and societal change, our initiative has been meticulously curated to inspire young women and girls, creating a ripple effect of disruptors,” said Essence Girls United Co-Creator Rechelle Dennis.
Participants can secure free tickets for the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit at https://www.essence.com/gusummit2023, with virtual access on ESSENCE.com and GirlsUnited.ESSENCE.com. Join the conversation on social media @ESSENCEGU, using #GUDisruptorSummit.
ESSENCE celebrated it’s 16th annual Black Women in Hollywood Awards Luncheon in style at the Fairmont Century Plaza.
Essence Magazine put on a beautiful display of black excellence, black pride, and black unity at its inaugural Best in Black Fashion Awards.
Essence is so much more than just a magazine for black women. Essence has become the number one media, technology, and commerce company for black women to date. This year Essence held their Essence Fashion House in NYC at Affirmation Arts, to continue the celebration of the first Essence Best in Black Fashion Awards. Essence Fashion House brought together black designers, stylists, influencers, and fashions lovers for an all-day fashion extravaganza. During the day-long event, guests were apart of panel discussions, a master class, and runway shows.
Crowns of curls, braids and colorful extensions floated through Pier 36.
Essence Beauty Carnival brought out black women of all shades, ages, and sizes from all over New York City who all came to slay.
Rain and gloomy overcast skies were no match for the enthusiastic crowd of fashion gurus and brand influencers descending upon the Duggan Greenhouse in Brooklyn. Uniting the like-minded beauties was the return of the 2018 ESSENCE Street Style Festival on Sunday, September 9th. This was a celebration pumped full of energy and positivity, highlighting black culture, style, and community. The guest list was chock-full of notable personalities, including Amanda Seales, comedian and star of HBO’s Insecure, who stepped out in style to host the event. Kellie Brown, Teyana Taylor, Yemi Alade, and DJs Jasmine Solano and Olivia Dope were also in attendance.
Celebrities and attendees alike came together to embrace over 80 black-owned businesses. The Greenhouse was packed full of vendors, such as the Honey Pot, Nyakio, Kelewele, Diggin’ Her Roots, Cee Cee’s Closet, Soul Balm Sisters, and many more that offered products, giveaways, and prizes.
Nike gave away a pair of their signature shoes from LeBron James’ latest sneaker launch, “The Strongest” campaign. This campaign celebrates the strength of 16 incredible black women from across several industries. The shoe, gifted to an ecstatic attendee, was designed by Fe Noel, Kimberly Goldson, and Undra Celeste.
Many great products were available indoors, giving guests the option to shop around before heading outdoors to enjoy delicious bites from diverse cultures offered by a line of food trucks. With appetites satiated, budding fashionistas enjoyed live entertainment held on the large outdoor stage. DJ Olivia Dope warmed up the crowd with a set full of favorites. Afterward, Macy’s held an unconventional fashion show of its own, allowing audience members to put their skills to the test with “Putting It All Together,” an on-the-spot styling challenge.
As the festivities approached an inevitable end, two highly anticipated celebrity guests closed out the festival with a bang. Kelis, style icon and songstress, and Teyana Taylor, songstress, dancer, actor, and model, braved the rain with a high energy performance that left fans buzzing. Teyana herself brought along a special guest, her 2-year-old daughter Junie, who made an adorable appearance in support of her mom. At the closing of the festival, Julee Wilson and Cori Murray presented Kelis with the ESSENCE Street Style Disruptor Award.
ESSENCE has found a way to capture and highlight black women’s contributions to style and fashion at the height of NYFW and it was a resounding success!
BROOKLYN, NY – SEPTEMBER 09: Teyana Taylor performs on stage at 2018 Essence Street Style Festival on September 9, 2018 in Brooklyn City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Essence)
BROOKLYN, NY – SEPTEMBER 09: Amanda Seales attends 2018 Essence Street Style Festival on September 9, 2018 in Brooklyn City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Essence)
BROOKLYN, NY – SEPTEMBER 09: Models speak on stage at 2018 Essence Street Style Festival on September 9, 2018 in Brooklyn City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Essence)
BROOKLYN, NY – SEPTEMBER 09: Models attend 2018 Essence Street Style Festival on September 9, 2018 in Brooklyn City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Essence)
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