(BPRW) ESSENCE Festival Of Culture® Presented By Coca-Cola® Unveils Full 2025 Cultural Experience Lineup featuring Jordan Chiles, Bozoma Saint John, Lynn Whitfield, Leon Thomas, Coco Jones, Big Freedia, and more!  

The 2025 Cultural Experience Lineup of Jordan Chiles, Bozoma Saint John, Lynn Whitfield, Leon Thomas, Coco Jones, Big Freedia, and more is revealed at ( BPRW) ESSENCE Festival Of Culture ® presented by Coca-Cola®. ( Black PR Wire ) NEW ORLEANS– ( BUSINESS WIRE )– Today, ESSENCE Communications, the esteemed publisher of ESSENCE Magazine, America’s leading lifestyle publication dedicated to Black women since 1970 and the creative force behind one of the country’s most influential live events, revealed the full cultural experience lineup for the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture ® presented by Coca-Cola®, taking place in New Orleans from July 4-6, 2025. This year marks a step: 55 times of ESSENCE Magazine honoring Black woman, honoring Black women’s richness, and showcasing Black accents. The ESSENCE Festival of Culture ® presented by Coca-Cola® reflects that legacy, while pointing toward the future, with immersive programming that spans music, film, food, beauty, tech, wellness, and social impact. Unbreakable Unlimited. Made Like This Held in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and Caesars ‘ Superdome, the Festival is also a critical financial engine for New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. In 2024, the event helped New Orleans and the state of Louisiana with more than$ 346 million in financial impact, supporting lots of regional organizations, painters, and hospitality workers. Curated Cultural Moments Across Every TouchpointThe trip kicks off on Thursday, July 3rd with a cooking fight: the Battle of Jollof vs. Jambalaya sports activity presented by AT&amp, T hosted at XULA Convocation Center at Xavier University. A life rice-tasting barbeque, life DJ sets, special guest appearances from Master P, Dawn Richard, Jidenna, Ros Gold-Onwude, Tyrod Taylor, and others will be present at the sport. Windows opened at 3: 00 am CT. Free with RSVP. Daytime development at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center features the return of ESSENCE BeautyConTM, the core of glitter appearance and beauty from the inside out. From the technology of the latest beauty technology to date-night set routines, this is your one-stop glitter laboratory. Bozoma Saint John has been named the annual ESSENCE BeautyConTM director for the first time previously. VIP passport holders receive skip the line incentives and full-size items in a HAULER case. Over the weekend, Bozoma will be on level, bringing her knowledge to the local area. ESSENCE Authors ™ gets bestselling and emerging artists across categories for personal fireside messages, live book deals, and a curated on-site bookstore, exploring themes of love, liberation, identity, and imagination, centering Black narratives in every genre from fiction to memoir to social commentary with practical tips for finding your audience in the world of publishing featuring Toni Tipton-Martin, Malcolm D. Lee, and Jayne Allen, J. Elle, Brendan Slocumb, Leila Mottley, Victoria Christopher Murray, Sarita Lyons, Phoebe Robinson, LaDarrion Williams, Roy Wood Jr., as well as audio speaker January Lavoy! Nina Compton, the winner of the James Beard Award, is the first curator to take on the ESSENCE Food &amp, Liquor FestivalTM, which has an innovative strategy. This multisensory practice explores the flavors of the community through restaurant demos, pairings, a deeper dialogue on food and historical identity with new additions of aPo’Boy showdown, tequila tastings, and a competition with major mixologists vying for the crown for the best Hurricane cocktail with more appearances Great Freedia, Toya Johnson, Ingrid Best of IBest Wines, Chef Reagan G. Sidney, Fine Wine Series, Rob Kazi, and more! The ESSENCE Film Festival® will be held at the STED STUDIOSTM, a venue for the world premiere of the National Geographic’s Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time docuseries, followed by a conversation with the Oscar®-nominated series director, Traci A. Curry, and a focus on the events that are still taking place 20 years after the storm. The series premieres later this summer on July 27 on National Geographic and streams the next day on Disney + and Hulu. In addition to a special screening and fireside chat with the cast of The Chi featuring Luke James, Lynn Whitfield, and Jason Weaver, the ESSENCE Film Festival® will also feature cutting-edge movies and directors whose stories reflect both the beauty and complexity of Black life. The slate of films showcased includes: The Memo, Discovering Bessie Coleman, Wildcards, Someone Loves You, The Rebel Girls, The Ebony Canal: A Story on Black Infant Health, and Hatchlings. The foundation of entertainment careers is ESSENCE Hollywood HouseTM. From casting directors to writers to on-camera talent, this space opens access to the people and insights behind the screen. Expect networking opportunities, industry talks, and real pathways for Black creatives. During the ESSENCE GU® Kickback, come out to trip out and turn-up on Friday, July 4 at The Fillmore with doors opening at 1: 00 pm CT, featuring a stacked lineup of Moliy, T99zy, and Chxrry in a genre-crossing live experience designed for a new generation of cultural disruptors. hosted by Zoe Spencer. The energy continues with ESSENCE GU® Creators House, where Gen-Z content leaders will host hands-on workshops, Twitch stream takeovers, mental wellness sessions, and the return of Partners in Prime, a fan-favorite series on navigating brand partnerships and digital life with intentionality. A House of Influence Creator Mixer will be held on July 5th, 2014, from 4:30 to 7:30 pm CET, at ESSENCE GU® and Refinery29 Unbothered. It will feature J. C. Carter, Scot Louie, and Justine’s Camera Roll. Space for Reflection, Power, and HealingThe Festival also offers grounding and purpose-driven spaces. With sessions on holistic movement, spiritual alignment, and hormone health, ESSENCE Wellness House ® returns. Suede: Men’s Experience ™ creates space for Black men to connect through conversations on fatherhood, finance, and emotional well-being with DJ Envy, Curren$ y Trae The Truth, and Armani White. Attendees of the ESSENCE StageTM, which is hosted by Eva Marcille, will hear unfiltered conversations with Jordan Chiles, Tonight’s Conversations Podcast, Quad Webb, Shamea Morton, and Yandy Smith-Harris, both in person and live. Join us for Sunday Morning Worship featuring a soulful performance with Jekalyn Carr and Bishop Paul Morton. In order to study the future of work, wealth, health, and democracy for global Black communities, GBEF® HQ ( Global Black Economic Forum ) will host a number of high-impact discussions with civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. Speakers include Governor Wes Moore and First Lady Dawn Moore, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Tamar Braxton and more. The ESSENCE Community Impact CenterTM operates with a purpose in a setting that fosters civic engagement, purpose-driven storytelling, and grassroots change. Activists, organizers, and local leaders will gather to share resources to move communities forward – one idea, policy, and voice at a time. With every purchase supporting the economic impact of the collective perspective, SOKO MRKTTM by ESSENCE® will provide a curated shopping experience featuring top Black-owned businesses across fashion, beauty, wellness, and home. Strategic Brand Collaborations Power the ExperienceThe ESSENCE Festival of Culture ® presented by Coca-Cola® partners will activate immersive experiences throughout the weekend. The Summer of Uplift Block Party, an intergenerational celebration influenced by traditional neighborhood gatherings, is a Coca-Cola® product. Hosted by Charles Kuykendoll and Jamila Mustafa, and featuring performances from Lay Bankz, Lloyd and The OMG Girlz from If Not For My Girls: Season 7, this high-energy experience celebrates the spirit of unity. All weekend, guests will enjoy DJ sets from Sky Jetta and DJ Mars, as well as a surprise” Who’s On The Block” performance. moments that spotlight Black-owned businesses and cultural changemakers. It’s more than just a party; it’s a message: we shine more brightly together.
smartwater ® alkaline with antioxidant invites guests to its extension” under the shade” – just steps away from the Coca-Cola® experience – to recharge and hydrate without missing a beat of the summer vibe. Under the shade of the NOLA sun, there is a balance between wellness and the festival’s rhythm.
Simply ® brings flavor and fun with a vibrant game-show-meets-day-party experience in partnership with Urban Trivia. The activation, which is hosted by Brandon Romas and Kita Renee, and features music by DJ Almost Famous and DJ She Real, invites guests to sip, play, and celebrate with Simply’s signature lemonades, premium giveaways, and lively challenges rooted in community and joy.
Together, these experiences honor three decades of Black excellence, celebration, and sisterhood—raising a glass to the legacy of ESSENCE and the vibrant future ahead. At the AT&amp, T Dream in Black footprint in the convention center, AT&amp, T will also be celebrating the power of connection through curated experiences. Through live panels focusing on entrepreneurship, mindfulness, and creativity, performances, interactive gameplay, and themed giveaways, festival goers will have the chance to build meaningful connections with the help of AT&amp, T throughout the festival weekend: Friday, July 4th: Join hip-hop icon Bun B, actress, philanthropist and entrepreneur Crystal Renee, and entrepreneur, and Philly native, Saeed Fergusion for a Dream Mentors panel where they’ll discuss legacy, creativity, and vision with moderator, award winning journalist Gia Peppers. The day will end with a performance from Leon Thomas, a Grammy-winning singer and songwriter.
Saturday, July 5th: Catch a live taping that bridges connection and culture with iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network’s wildly popular show” Decisions, Decisions”, hosted by Weezy WTF and Mandii B, joined by a surprise guest for an unfiltered exchange on modern relationships, ambition, and personal growth. Coco Jones, a Grammy-winning R&amp, B powerhouse, will give a performance that will end the day.
Sunday, July 6th: Experience the Power of Staying Still, a chat moderated by” Healed Girl Era Podcast” creator, Gia Peppers, with Dr. Raquel Martin, and actor Rome Flynn, followed by an uplifting TAMLA Showcase with chart-topping singer, Tim Bowman Jr., and Lee Vasi + Rock City Media Group’s 19X Stellar Award Winner Pastor Mike Jr.
Along with L’Oréal Groupe, which fervently participates in the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture ® to honor the vibrant spirit of Black joy, artistry, and resilience. In honoring the magazine’s 55th anniversary, we reinforce our shared commitment to promoting a more inclusive vision of beauty. Wells Fargo is pleased to announce its participation at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s Wells Fargo Autograph JourneySM Lounge, where festivalgoers are invited to embark on a special experience. This airport-inspired lounge offers a relaxing retreat, complete with refreshments, comfortable seating, giveaways and photo opportunities. The Wells Fargo Autograph JourneySM Visa Card and its travel and entertainment benefits, which empower cardholders to embrace life’s journeys, are displayed in the lounge. During the nightly concert series, select Wells Fargo Visa credit cardholders will immerse themselves in the vibrant music performances that define the ESSENCE Festival of Culture ® from an exclusive viewing &amp, hospitality area next to the stage. Join Wells Fargo in observing the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture®, where every moment offers an opportunity to connect, inspire, and travel together. ” Investing in New Orleans: Community-First, AlwaysESSENCE is proud to drive meaningful impact in New Orleans through intentional, locally rooted activations: Stories of Us: Located inside the ESSENCE Wellness House ® at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, this sculpture-based healing installation offers drum circles, guided meditation, and healing poetry throughout Festival weekend.
We Love Us Community Day, a free, open-to-the-public event that takes place on July 5th at the University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena, focuses on holistic wellness and empowerment. Offerings include:
Youth basketball clinic at Master P’s Hope Foundation
Breast cancer screenings with the Bexa Alliance
The Black Heart Association performs heart health checks.
Mental wellness workshop led by Maybelline’s Brave Together Initiative
Dr. Jatali Bellanton and Brilliant Minds lead a financial literacy workshop.
ESSENCE Community Commerce Collective ( ESSENCE C3 ): Launching during Festival weekend, ESSENCE C3 amplifies Black-owned businesses through vendor opportunities and editorial storytelling. The program provides essential business resources and visibility to New Orleans entrepreneurs.
ESSENCE Community Conversation: An open invitation to discuss the impact of corporate sponsorship on community support.
With an emphasis on eco-consciousness and long-term community uplift, the ESSENCE Sustainability Donation Program” Give Back Green” directs sponsor and festival support to New Orleans schools and nonprofits.
Attendees plan their Festival experience by downloading and using the newly enhanced E360 app, offering real-time updates, personalized schedules, exclusive content, and a chance to connect with other festival goers. The 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture ® presented by the Coca-Cola® evening concert series is now available. Consider this your official invitation to meet us in New Orleans! Follow @ESSENCEFest on X, Facebook, and Instagram on social media and subscribe to ESSENCE Magazine and the newsletter for behind-the-scenes coverage. ABOUT SUNDIAL MEDIA &amp, TECHNOLOGY GROUPSundial Media &amp, Technology Group ( SMTG ) is a human connections company — the signal powered by culture, scaled by technology, and built for community. Her, the Chief Influence Officer, is the most important consumer segment in the market, and SMTG connects, elevates, and empowers her. With over 100 years of community knowledge and insights, SMTG is redefining the media model into a next-generation platform. It creates an ecosystem that expands her economic and political influence using proprietary intelligence and AI technology. Its portfolio includes some of the most iconic, purpose-driven brands and experiences shaping culture today—ESSENCE ( Girls United, ESSENCE Studios, ESSENCE Festival of Culture ® ), Refinery29, AFROPUNK, Beautycon ™ ( including NaturallyCurly ), the Global Black Economic Forum, the Academy for Advancing Excellence, and the New Voices Fund. Through storytelling, products, and platforms, SMTG provides the tools and technology to influence the future of media, commerce, and community—on HER terms. ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA GROUP INC. The largest, privately held media, technology, and commerce company in the country dedicated to Black women and communities is ESSENCE Communications, the number one and only 100 % Black-owned business. With a community of more than 31 million Black women, ESSENCE inspires a global audience through diverse storytelling and immersive original content rooted in Culture, Equity and Celebration. The brand’s multi-platform presence in/publishing, experiential and online includes its brand’s namesake magazine, digital, video, and social platforms, television specials, books, and signature live events, including ESSENCE Black Women in Sports, Fashion House, Street Style, and the ESSENCE Festival of Culture®.