First Day of the 2023 Essence Festival of Culture™ Presented by Coca-Cola®

THE 29TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL KICKED OFF HIP-HOP 50 CELEBRATIONS WITH ESSENCE VENTURES EXECUTIVES, REMARKS FROM VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS AT THE GLOBAL BLACK ECONOMIC FORUM™, AND THE FIRST-EVER AFROPUNK KREWE BALL

New Orleans, Louisiana — June 29, 2023 — Day One of the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola® kicked off in its forever home of New Orleans. Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans and ESSENCE Ventures President & CEO Caroline Wanga and the executive leadership team, kicked off this year’s festival with the annual press conference, starting the weekend celebrations with opening remarks highlighting the yearly economic impact of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ on the local New Orleans community.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: (L-R) ESSENCE CEO, Caroline Wanga, and Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, attend the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of culture press conference at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, speaks during the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of culture press conference at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Celebrations continued throughout the day with the Global Black Economic Forum™, which featured an invite-only Access and Opportunity Summit at the Four Seasons, where members of The Biden-Harris Administration, including Vice President Kamala Harris, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Michael S. Regan, took part in discussions on issues ranging from the evolution of philanthropy to addressing inequity on corporate boards.

The Summit engaged audiences in conversations around advancing equity and opportunity for Black communities across the country with history-making Black trailblazers, including Hip-Hop icons and game-changers Doug E. Fresh and D-Nice, CNBC Reporter and Anchor Deborah Helman and Ebony Thomas, respectively, Vice President of Partnerships & Engagement at Google Valeisha Butterfied Jones, and more.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: (L-R) Global Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer of The Coca-Cola, Tameka Harper, speaks during the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of culture press conference at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: (L-R) Thasunda Brown Duckett, President & CEO of TIAA, Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States and Alphonso David, President & CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum attends the Global Black Economic Forum’s Access & Economic Opportunity summit at. the 2023 ESSENCE Festival at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE )

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Global Black Economic Forum’s Access & Economic Opportunity summit at the 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE )

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: (L-R) Alphonso David, President & CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum, Madame President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield speak during the Global Black Economic Forum’s Access & Economic Opportunity Summit at the 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE )

Following the Summit, the 2023 Essence Ventures Media Upfront took place at The Fillmore inclusive of a State of Black Media panel discussion featuring Caroline Wanga, Essence Ventures CEO & President, Detavio Samuels, CEO of Revolt, and Travis Montaque, Group Black Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, as well as a special musical performance by Robin Thicke.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: A general view of atmosphere during the 2023 ESSENCE Ventures Media Upfronts at The Fillmore New Orleans on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: Guests attend the 2023 ESSENCE Ventures Media Upfronts at The Fillmore New Orleans on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: (L-R) Pauline Malcolm-Thornton, Gabrielle Bradwell-Poteat and Angela Guy attend the 2023 ESSENCE Ventures Media Upfronts at The Fillmore New Orleans on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: (L-R) Caroline Wanga, ESSENCE CEO, Richelieu Dennis, Detavio Samuels and Bonin Bough speak onstage during the 2023 ESSENCE Ventures Media Upfronts at The Fillmore New Orleans on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 29: Robin Thicke performs onstage during the 2023 ESSENCE Ventures Media Upfronts at The Fillmore New Orleans on June 29, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

During the nighttime experiences, AFROPUNK made its debut at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ with the AFROPUNK Krewe Ball, taking the night by storm at the Joy Theater. Notable attendees included a performance by Durand Bernarr and DJ sets by LIL JODECI, DJ Chinua, DJ PR_CK, DJ B-HEN, and hosted by Ebony New Orleans.

Stay tuned for additional updates, imagery, and event details from day two of 2023 ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola® as the events continue through July 3, 2023.

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