Latest Essence Stories

The Nation's Most Influential African-American Women's Brand and The Country's Fastest Growing News Network Will Partner for Three Days of Live Programming at the Premier Forum for Black Women Featuring MSNBC Hosts and Contributors Rev. Al Sharpton, Tamron Hall, Melissa Harris-Perry, Chris Matthews, Alex Wagner, Chris Hayes, Ed Schultz and Joy Ann Reid NEW YORK, May 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ESSENCE, the number one media brand dedicated to African-American women, and MSNBC, the...

EXCLUSIVE POST ON ESSENCE.COM TODAY NEW YORK, May 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ESSENCE's June issue features an exclusive interview with Chirlane McCray, wife of New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio. In the piece, "The Politician's Wife," the woman who could be the first lady of New York City talks about outing herself in ESSENCE in the 1970's -- and how she ended up falling in love with a man. In the ESSENCE article, writer Linda Villarosa recounts how McCray wrote...

19TH ANNUAL ESSENCE FESTIVAL KICKS OFF HOLIDAY WEEKEND WITH FIRST-EVER "FAMILY REUNION DAY" A FREE, FAMILY-FOCUSED EXPERIENCE FILLED WITH UPLIFTING CONVERSATIONS FROM OUR NATION'S BEST & BRIGHTEST SPEAKERS, LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES, GAMES, FOOD, FIREWORKS AND MORE! NEW YORK, April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The ESSENCE Festival, the leading African-American destination for music, culture, community, empowerment and inspiration, is proud to announce a renewed focus on family in 2013....

THE 2013 ESSENCE FESTIVAL NIGHT-BY-NIGHT HEADLINERS REVEALED! NEW YORK, April 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2013 ESSENCE Festival, the 19(th) annual gathering of music, culture, community, empowerment and inspiration, is proud to announce its heavily anticipated night-by-night line-up. The 2013 ESSENCE Festival, taking place July 4-7 in New Orleans, LA, promises to be the most exhilarating cultural celebration of the year; featuring a mix of bold names, exciting newcomers and...

NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of Beyonce's triumphant Super Bowl halftime performance, ESSENCE, the preeminent brand for African-American women, today announced that her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour is adding a special performance at the 19(th) annual ESSENCE Festival, where the international superstar will return to the Superdome to headline one of three stellar nights of concerts taking place July 4-7 in New Orleans, LA. "We are incredibly excited to...

NEW YORK, Jan. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ESSENCE, the preeminent brand for African-American women, will recognize the extraordinary achievements of Black women in film and television with its 6(th) annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon, taking place on February 21, 2013 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. ESSENCE will honor six of the industry's most inspiring African-American female talents, both in front of the camera and behind-the-scenes, with an esteemed Black Women in Hollywood...

NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ESSENCE, the preeminent media brand for African-American women, continues its commitment to recognizing excellence and achievement during its 4th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Music event taking place on February 6, 2013 in Los Angeles. The invitation-only, red-carpet GRAMMY® Week event will highlight the contributions of Black women in music with a special salute to what's current, what's new and what's next. Hosted by global,...

NEW YORK, Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ESSENCE's 19(th) annual gathering of music, culture, community, empowerment and inspiration has a brand new look and a new name. The new 2013 ESSENCE Festival--recently renamed to reflect the event's expanded cultural focus--will take place July 4-7 in New Orleans, LA. This year's Festival promises to bring "the page to the stage" with 4 days of entertainment and information on health, careers, education, civil rights, relationships,...

NEW YORK, Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- All eyes have been on First Lady Michelle Obama since her husband, President Barack Obama, kicked off his first historic presidential campaign in 2008. Over the years, we have watched her become a style icon and one of the most photographed women in the world. Now, just as Inauguration Day approaches, the editors of ESSENCE have recaptured her earlier moments with a special commemorative book, A Salute to Michelle Obama (Time Inc. Home...

NEW YORK, Sept. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ESSENCE.com, the daily online destination for African-American women, provides your all-access pass to New York Fashion Week (NYFW) 2012. From sneak peeks of designer sketches to front row and back stage access, ESSENCE.com has your ultimate fashion experience covered. Giving viewers behind-the-scenes and VIP access to some of today's biggest names in fashion and beauty, ESSENCE.com will provide a one-of-a-kind look at what's now, new and...