By: Erika “PR Diva” Enyolu
Before the first concert lights illuminated the Caesars Superdome and before thousands of attendees filled the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center earlier this month, excitement was already building around the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola.
The weekend officially opened with the Press Welcome Experience, where journalists from across the country gathered to hear festival executives unveil this year’s vision. Alongside previews of programming, attendees received the first look at ESSENCE magazine’s latest Culture’s Creators cover, setting the stage for a weekend celebrating culture, entrepreneurship, entertainment and community.
Covering the festival as a correspondent while producing exclusive digital content for PR Diva TV, I found that the ESSENCE Festival of Culture offers no single path through the weekend. Every stage, activation and conversation created a different experience, allowing attendees to shape the festival in their own way.
By the following morning, the convention center had transformed into a vibrant hub of activity. Thousands of guests moved between live conversations, networking spaces, shopping experiences and brand activations. Long lines formed for giveaways and product launches while creators filmed content throughout the massive convention floor. The colorful displays and constant energy made it clear that experiencing the festival in person was something photos and videos alone could never fully capture.
Throughout the weekend, New Orleans dancers dressed in vibrant traditional attire moved through the convention center, adding another reminder that the city’s rich culture was woven into the festival experience itself.
Beautycon remained one of the busiest destinations, drawing crowds eager to discover emerging products, meet founders and experience live demonstrations. Brands including Grow Good, Brown Sugar Babe and Her Fantasy Box welcomed visitors with interactive activations that encouraged conversation as much as shopping.
Among the entrepreneurs I interviewed was Kayla Rowe, founder and CEO of Her Fantasy Box. Our conversation explored the growth of Rowe’s beauty brand, the importance of creating products that inspire confidence and self-expression, and the value of connecting with customers face-to-face during one of the country’s largest celebrations of Black culture and entrepreneurship.
The festival’s discussion stages attracted audiences eager to hear candid conversations from influential voices across entertainment, business and culture.
One of the weekend’s most anticipated conversations featured former First Lady Michelle Obama alongside actress and television personality Keke Palmer during a special live edition of IMO Live inside the Caesars Superdome. Their candid discussion blended humor with honest reflections on confidence, identity and public perception, setting the tone for an evening that celebrated storytelling, resilience and authenticity.
Another packed session featured Grammy Award-winning artist Cardi B during her Passion to Profit conversation on the Beautycon Stage. Rather than delivering a traditional keynote, Cardi B brought her signature humor, confidence and unfiltered personality while discussing entrepreneurship, beauty ventures and expanding beyond music.
One of the session’s standout moments came when Cardi enthusiastically praised New Orleans restaurateur Larry Morrow while sharing some of her favorite local meals. Within minutes, a clip captured by PR Diva TV began circulating online after being shared by Larry Morrow and several New Orleans-based social media platforms, extending the festival’s footprint far beyond the convention center.
Celebrity moments weren’t limited to scheduled interviews.
Throughout the weekend, PR Diva TV continued filming Dapping Up Celebrity 10s: ESSENCE Festival Edition, a viral digital series capturing quick, unscripted moments with artists and public figures outside traditional interviews.
One familiar face was Teyana Taylor, the inaugural Chief Curator of the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture. Recognizing me from the American Music Awards earlier this year, Taylor smiled, stepped forward and joined in a fun dap before I even had the chance to initiate the greeting, creating one of the weekend’s most genuine celebrity interactions.
Music icon Patti LaBelle also delivered one of the weekend’s simplest yet most memorable exchanges. As she walked past, I greeted her with, “Hi Patti.” LaBelle made eye contact, smiled warmly, waved and replied, “Hi baby,” before continuing on, a brief interaction that reflected the warmth many artists brought to the festival.
Another standout moment came with actress Tisha Campbell, who enthusiastically joined the dap greeting while promoting her book, The A Word: A Mother’s Journey Through Autism and Love. For me, the encounter carried personal significance, as my older brother is nonverbal and autistic. Campbell’s willingness to speak openly about autism highlighted how public figures can use their platforms to bring greater visibility to issues affecting families around the world.
Not every memorable moment involved a celebrity. Throughout the convention center, longtime friends reunited, first-time collaborators exchanged ideas and entrepreneurs introduced their businesses to new audiences. The performances may draw the crowds, but the conversations, collaborations and shared sense of community are what truly define the experience and keep attendees returning year after year.
One of my featured interviews was with Grammy-nominated R&B artist Raheem DeVaughn. When I asked how it felt to see a reimagined version of ‘You’ first released more than two decades ago return to No. 1, DeVaughn reflected on the journey behind the milestone.
“It’s a great feeling. I put in a lot of work, obviously,” he said. “A song that I put out 21 years ago, 19 years later for me to remake it and have it go No. 1, it’s a very surreal moment for me. And this version I own. Life is about ownership.”
His answer spoke to the value of perseverance, reinvention and taking ownership of the work that shapes a lasting legacy.
Outside the convention center, New Orleans remained an essential part of the experience. Between interviews and panel discussions, a classic catfish po’boy stood out as one of the weekend’s highlights. The city’s music, hospitality and unmistakable energy offered a welcome change of pace between assignments, reinforcing why New Orleans remains inseparable from the ESSENCE Festival experience.
As evening arrived, attention shifted to the Caesars Superdome, where audiences filled the stadium for the Evening Concert Series. Among the many performances throughout the weekend were memorable sets from Babyface, Kehlani, Brandy and Monica, Cardi B, T.I., and a moving tribute honoring the legacy of Aaliyah. Curated by music legend Missy Elliott, the tribute featured performances by Mya, Chlöe Bailey, Normani, Ryan Destiny and Sevyn Streeter. The lineup reflected the depth, diversity and cross-generational appeal that have become defining hallmarks of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture.
The connections continued long after the convention center closed. Creator events, including the ESSENCE GU x Kensington Grey Creator Mixer and Society18’s Creator Kickoff Soirée, gave select attendees another opportunity to network, collaborate and exchange ideas in a more intimate setting.
Looking back, the weekend wasn’t defined by a single performance or celebrity encounter. It was the conversations, creators and culture that left the strongest impression, reaffirming that the ESSENCE Festival of Culture is more than a celebration of music. It’s where stories are shared, relationships are built and culture comes to life.
