This year’s ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans was poised to be a masterclass in Black celebration, bringing together a diverse array of talent and showcasing the beauty of our heritage. But instead of uniting generations through music and community, the festival was marred by production woes, leadership changes, and an unmistakable shift in the rhythm that once defined it.
With an impressive lineup that included icons like Lauryn Hill and Maxwell, alongside rising stars like Lucky Daye and Coco Jones, you might think the atmosphere was electric. And yet, something felt off. This year, attendees were met with a backdrop of audio issues, scheduling delays, and production hiccups that left many wondering if the festival’s heart had skipped a beat. Iconic performances that once lit up the Superdome were overshadowed by technical difficulties. Fans found themselves waiting impatiently as acts took the stage hours behind schedule.
To say that the absence of CEO Caroline Wanga and former VP Hakeem Holmes, cast a shadow over the festival would be an understatement. Many longtime attendees noticed the absence of Holmes, whose impeccable sense of community and celebration had been a cornerstone of the event. Now, as those in the crowd looked around, they felt a disconnection—a sense of something missing amid the joyful chaos.
As enthusiastic festival-goers gathered to celebrate Black culture, they were often met with an unexpected chill. Where was the marketing push that had previously turned out crowds and created a buzz? It was as if the festival had forgotten its powerful connection to the community it served.
This year also saw the implementation of a controversial $150 VIP access fee for Beauty Con, an unwarranted shift that seemed to create more confusion than benefit. Critiques echoed through the halls of the convention center, with many locals feeling increasingly alienated by changes that didn’t seem to prioritize their experiences. “It’s like they don’t know what we want,” one attendee lamented. The festival, while designed to celebrate the vibrancy of the community, appeared to have overlooked the very people who breathed life into it, leaving some questioning if the essence of ESSENCE was slipping through the cracks.
Against a backdrop of rising unemployment rates among Black women and broader economic strife, the festival’s adjustment to charging for events that were once free struck a dissonant chord. For many, the festival had become synonymous with community and celebration. But this year, the commercialization and perceived lack of accessibility ricocheted through the crowd, reinforcing the feeling that this was no longer a festival made by the people for the people.
For some, the experience at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture had remained a highlight—but for far too many, that wasn’t the case. Attendees with industry connections often witnessed the festival from a different vantage point, one filled with opportunities, while many general festival-goers felt a disconnect from the sense of community that once engulfed the event. The GU Creator House, positioned offsite rather than front and center, served as another reminder of opportunities missed—a setup that could have harnessed the spirit of innovation found in the very fabric of the convention space.
Underneath the disappointment, there lies hope for what the ESSENCE Festival can still become—the spirit of community remains in the hearts of those who cherish it. The call for the festival to return to its roots is loud and clear: a space that blends the wisdom of its legacy with the fresh perspectives of a new generation.
As the conversations swirl about the future of the festival, there’s a palpable feeling that with the right leadership—those rooted in and connected to the community—ESSENCE can reclaim its role as a powerful cultural force. The rhythms may have faltered this year, but with intention and commitment, there is still time for the festival to harmonize with the vibrant notes of our collective legacy. Whether or not it can rise to the occasion remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: an ESSENCE grounded in joy, inclusion, and community is worth reaching for.
Valese Jones
