NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The people of Louisiana know a lot about gumbo, and the annual Essence Culture Festival offers a “gumbo” of activities, including help for Black-owned small businesses and discussions about the economic and political power of African Americans.
Inside the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the Essence Marketplace featured small businesses selling unique products. The focus on Black businesses isn’t limited to the convention center, however.
The Hair Glam Squad small business expo was held at a nearby hotel. Entrepreneur MeMe Kelly is proud to host the event.
“This is our 10th year doing this, the Hair Glam Squad Small Business Expo, so we are providing opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs to showcase their skills during this amazing weekend,” Kelly said.
Essence attracts hundreds of thousands of people to the city every year.
“Being a local business owner here in New Orleans, I wanted to give others the opportunity to have the same advantages that I do, so I organized this event so I could give them their opportunity and it’s very important that we are giving back to our community,” Kelly said.
Symphony Landry is the CEO and founder of Sheer Purity. Her products were on sale at the business expo.
“I started my business three months ago on March 8, National Women’s Day. We’ve been up and running for about three months now and the company is based in Slidell, Louisiana,” Landry said. “Basically, we’re a completely plant-based company, we’ve formulated every product to serve women in every area they might need help with.”
The Global Black Economic Forum held panel discussions at the convention center. Representative Maxine Walters participated.
“This is my first year here and I’m excited to be a part of it and see all the cool stuff they’re putting together. I know the Global Black Economic Forum is relatively new in the last few years, so I’ve heard and am excited about a lot of content on this stage,” said Dameon Daniels, a first-time Essence attendee.
Another panel discussed the digital divide and the importance of the African-American vote.
“I connect the policy debate to who makes the policy, and the policy makers in this country are the people who are elected to office, whether they like it or not, they are the ones making the decisions, so we have to be involved in that process,” said Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League and former mayor of New Orleans.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network, joined Morial and Derrick Johnson of the NAACP on the panel.
“They have to vote, they can’t let us be tricked into not voting in all the remaining seats,” Sharpton said.
African-American women are seen as reliable voters, and some women who attend Essence say that shouldn’t be taken for granted. “They should take it very lightly, not at all, because I think we will be the final decision if everyone goes out and votes the way they should vote in this election,” said Cherria Day of Maryland.
Her friend Cashmere He, also from Maryland, agreed.
“This is my first Essence Festival, so I’m excited to see all the different avenues that people can get involved in, especially politically, because it’s really important right now, in our political climate, what people here need to focus on and we’re glad that Essence is showcasing that,” He said.
Vice President Kamala Harris will appear on Essence on Saturday afternoon. She will come as her boss, President Joe Biden, faces calls from some fellow Democrats to end his reelection campaign following his poor showing in a recent debate with former President Donald Trump, a Republican.
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