Written by Mo Clark
New Orleans, La – It wasn’t just a weekend – it was a movement. The Essence of CultureĀ® 2025 festivals brought three unforgettable days of beauty, brilliance and bold black excellence to Big Easy and if you weren’t there, you just know … Culture showed and the crowns are shining!
From the edges and braids to spiritual panels and amazing performances, this year’s festival has given us everything-our goals, heart work and history. With the theme “Unlimited. The essence 2025 proved, once again, that when black women are driving, everyone wins.
Day One: Edges placed and culture was released
The weekend started with high teeth and tall cookies at Ernest N. Mool Convention Center, where black beauty took the main stage. The space was converted into a kingdom of a crown where Melanin Magic met with the magic of the market.
– Advertising –
The festivals are lined up for gemstones of black brands such as Bask & Lather, Camille Rose, Yelle Skincare and Lip Bar, while stylists killed curls, coils and baby hairs in real time. The influencers broke it in a complete pot, while the founders threw gemstones for entrepreneurship and brand building.
The panels of the day hit hard – covering everything, from mental well -being to money movements. The food? Fire. Fashion? Additional. Hair? Next level.
By night, SuperDome Caesars came alive. Coco Jones, Glorilla, Babyface, Maxwell, and Virtual Ms. Lauryn Hill left us with a composition that honors both the past and the present of black music.
Day two: The black brilliance turned all the way
Saturday was a bunch – and we don’t just talk about the sun.
Inside the conference center, the energy was high. The cultural critic and Foodie Fave Keith Lee talked to us about goals and plates, while Luvvie Ajayi Jones and Tamira Chapman trained us to tell and secure the bag. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson adorns the stadium of the World Black Economic Forum in a strong debate on heritage, justice and joy.
– Advertising –
Above the beauty corner, the panels hosted by the media’s favorites, such as Cleo TV and TV, gave a black family feel and hairstyle from hosts such as Tamar & Ms. E, Chef JJ and Jake & Jazz Smollett.
And when the sun set? Moliy, Donell Jones, Buju Banton and Davido brought international heat to the SuperDome. Erykah Badu gave us the glow of Barefoot and Mystic Soul, while the viral moment of the night came from 803fresh & Doug E. “Boots on the Ground” of 803Fresh & Doug E. The highway surpassed Philly Pride, but the true microphone? Jill Scott’s “A Philly Jawn” with Jazmine Sullivan and Patti Labelle -pure Black Woman Magic!
Day Tuesday: Inheritance, love and final appearance
Sunday was about the reinstatement. While the glam stayed high, the vibes became cold and spiritual. Brunches, Gospel tributes and Community activations gave us moments of connection, reflection and praise.
Participants packed panels in beauty stocks, mental health therapy and entrepreneurship led by Changers such as Mielle Organics’ Monique Rodriguez and Honey Pot Co. Bea Dixon. The BeautyCon X Essence stadium made its long -awaited debut with exclusive influence and Demos conversations on hair, reminding us why we celebrate every coil, curl and stroke.
The weekend ended with a tribute to the Gospel hosted by Yolanda Adams and with Jonathan McREynolds, Kierra Sheard and Tasha Cobbs Leonard who returned to the Superdome to a sanctuary.
– Advertising –
Final Thoughts: This was not just a festival – it was a recovery
Essence Festival 2025 reminded us who we are, what we carry and why we shine. It was not just for representations or products. It was for power. On the presence. About the appearance in all of our glory -loc’d, placed, twisted, faded or fr’d – and celebrating what it means to be unexpectedly black, beautiful and bright.
From poppin ‘press-ons and Glow-up glam to deep conversations and divine connections, the essence has proved once again: this is not just a festival-it is a cultural moment.
And baby, we were wearing it well.
