Hey y’all! We’re again down in New Orleans this weekend for the Essence Pageant of Tradition 2023! It was a jam-packed day stuffed with journey and warmth (significantly, it’s HAWT), however nonetheless, it was a crammed day of actions.

Day one kicked off with Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans and ESSENCE Ventures President & CEO Caroline Wanga and the chief management staff internet hosting a press convention and sharing opening remarks.

As you all know, Essence Fest has been held at New Orleans for a few years. Whereas it’s not the one cause I discover myself in New Orleans, I like committing to it not less than every year.

After the welcome ceremony, there was the International Black Financial Discussion board on the 4 Seasons, the place members of The Biden-Harris Administration, together with Vice President Kamala Harris, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Safety Company Michael S. Regan, took half in discussions on points starting from the evolution of philanthropy to addressing inequity on company boards. 

At that occasion, there was a concentrate on subjects and other people reminiscent of advancing fairness and alternative for Black communities throughout the nation with history-making Black trailblazers, together with  Hip-Hop icons and game-changers Doug E. Recent and D-Good, CNBC Reporter and Anchor Deborah Helman and Ebony Thomas, respectively, Vice President of Partnerships & Engagement at Google Valeisha Butterfield Jones, and extra.

Maybe one of the thrilling occasions of the day belonged to the State of Black Media panel dialogue with Caroline Wanga, Detavio Samuels, CEO of Revolt, and Travis Montaque, Group Black Co-Founder & Chief Technique Officer. As somebody who has labored within the Black media area for a while, I do know this was a productive dialog. Lengthy story brief, WE DESERVE MORE.

Through the nighttime experiences, AFROPUNK made its debut on the ESSENCE Pageant of Tradition with the AFROPUNK Krewe Ball, taking the evening by storm on the Pleasure Theater. Notable attendees included a efficiency by Durand Bernarr and DJ units by LIL JODECI, DJ Chinua, DJ PR_CK, DJ B-HEN, and hosted by Ebony New Orleans. 

In order you’ll be able to see, day one was POPPIN’ and thrilling! Keep tuned for day two!