Before the concerts and the crowd roars, the real magic at Essence Festival happened during the day.
I came for the performances, but once I downloaded the Essence app and saw what the convention centre had to offer, I started building out a whole new plan. There were panels with powerhouse speakers, beauty activations with top brands, and live performance steps away from the expo floor.
I definitely underestimated how long I would spend at BeautyCon. Between the lineups and all the brand booths, it was easy to lose track of time. But I made sure to catch the panels I was most excited for, especially the author talk with Kennedy Ryan, Jayne Allen, and Malcolm D. Lee, and the unforgettable energy of Bozoma Saint John on stage.
These sessions didn’t just inform , they poured into us. Whether it was hearing about turning The Best Man from film into a book or learning that Kennedy’s Skyland series is being adapted for TV, every speaker reminded me why Black stories and the people who tell them matter.
Watch the reel and experience a little of what made Essence Festival so unforgettable. It captures the energy, joy, and purpose of those three days.
If you’ve never been to Essence Festival, consider this your sign. The convention centre might not be what gets you there but it’ll be what surprises you the most.
Got a favorite moment or panel from Essence? Drop it in the comments or DM me on Instagram charmaine_bryan.
And stay tuned! I’ve got a concert recap coming next.
