All eyes were on New Orleans this past weekend for ESSENCE Festival of Culture 2026. The festival lineup at the Caesars Superdome was packed with Black superstars across entertainment, politics, culture and education. From talks between Dr. Bernice King and Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz to pilates classes hosted by Keke Palmer, this ESSENCE Festival was not one to miss. But if you couldn’t make it, don’t worry; here’s a roundup of some of the best moments from the weekend.
Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz and Dr. Bernice King Talk About Legacy
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 03: (L-R) Ilyasah Shabazz and Bernice A. King speak onstage during the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 03, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
On day one, Dr. Bernice A. King and Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, the daughters of civil rights icons Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, came together for a much-needed conversation on legacy, leadership and resilience. At a time when Black people are being targeted by the Trump administration and people’s rights are being threatened, this talk was a reminder of the injustices Black Americans have overcome. It also served as inspiration to continue moving forward.
DJ Envy’s Epic Car Show
Screenshot: TikTok/@tiffstaytrippin_
The Breakfast Club’s DJ Envy brought his garage to ESSENCE Festival, showcasing some of his favorite vehicles from his multimillion-dollar collection. Any car enthusiast would have been in heaven at this car show.
Live Session of “IMO Podcast” Hosted by Michelle Obama and Keke Palmer
Before one page was discussed, one message came through loud and clear: the power of connection. As thousands gathered at the Essence Festival, former First Lady Michelle Obama sat down with Keke Palmer for a conversation that went far beyond promoting her new book. It became a reminder of something that has always been at the heart of the Black experience: the importance of showing up for one another. Throughout the discussion, Michelle Obama reflected on the lessons behind her newest work, emphasizing community, authenticity, and the relationships that help us navigate life’s challenges. In a world where technology often replaces genuine human interaction, she encouraged people to intentionally build and nurture meaningful connections. That message carries even greater significance at Essence Festival. For more than three decades, Essence Festival of Culture has served as more than a music festival. It has become a gathering place where Black culture, business, wellness, education, and entertainment intersect. It’s a space where generations come together to celebrate shared experiences, learn from one another, and invest in the future of the community. The conversation between Michelle Obama and Keke Palmer reminded us that our greatest strength has always been each other. Whether through family, friendships, mentorship, or simply reaching back to uplift someone else, our connections have long been the foundation of resilience, progress, and joy. As the festival continues to celebrate Black excellence in every form, moments like these remind us that success isn’t just measured by individual accomplishments, but by the communities we build and the people we bring with us along the way. #EssenceFest#MichelleObama#KekePalmer#BlackExcellence#NewOrleans
Keke Palmer and Michelle Obama delivered a live session of Obama’s award-winning podcast “IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson” to a packed stadium. Together, they had an honest conversation about protecting your peace, creating opportunities for yourself and our forever First Lady’s book “The Look.”
A Class On Setting The Next Generation Up For Success
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 03: Dr. Erica Jordan-Thomas (L) attends the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 03, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Peter Forest/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Along with a signing for her book “7-Figure Educator,” CEO and founder of EJT Education Group, Dr. Erica Jordan-Thomas, provided a masterclass on how educators can set their students up to become the next generation of successful seven-figure earners.
Cardi B Speaks On The Beautycon Panel
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 03: Cardi B speaks onstage during the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 03, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
On the Beautycon stage, Cardi B sat down with Refinery29’s Chief Content Officer, Brooke DeVard, and got real about motherhood and life as an entrepreneur since the April launch of her haircare brand, Grow Good.
A Conversation On Black Political and Economic Power
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 03: (L-R) Cory Booker, Jasmine Crockett, Nicole Austin-Hillery and Rashad Robinson speak on the Global Black Economic Forum Stage during the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 03, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Sen. Cory Booker, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Nicole Austin-Hillery and civil rights leader Rashad Robinson came together on the Global Black Economic Forum Stage for a talk on Black political and economic power.
Would #DanielKaluuya miss a #KekePalmer pilates class? One word…”NOPE”! Check out this special moment between our two favorite co-stars Keke Palmer and Daniel Kaluuya during Keke’s pilates class at EssenceFest.
Keke Palmer hosted a mat Pilates class for all the exercise enthusiasts. One of the highlights of her 40-minute session was a surprise from Academy Award-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya, who stopped by to say hey.
Fire Performances From Latto, Kehlani and Cardi B
L, Latto (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for ESSENCE); M, Kehlani (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE); R, Cardi B (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Closing out ESSENCE Festival Day One at the Caesars Superdome were fierce performances from Latto, Kehlani, and Cardi B. If you’re going to end a festival with a big bang before sending the crowd back home, this is how you do it.
