Essence Weekend, The Therapy You Need [Media Recap]

This year marked year 24 of The Essence Festival and it seems it gets grander and grander! Here it is 2018 and the Essence Festival attracted over a half million attendees! If you’ve ever wondered if you should visited and  have a thing for the culture, this is definitely the place to be!

“As one of the country’s largest curated live experiences, the ESSENCE Festival engages Black women globally—through a truly unique celebration of culture, connection to community and access to content that inspires and empowers.”

HoneyBeNatural has been visiting New Orleans, Louisiana for the past five years by way of bing the MEDIA SPONSOR for the New Orleans Natural Hair Expo curated by @itsmeitsmo!  The New Orleans Natural Hair Expo (NONHE) is the “Ultimate Natural Hair Experience!” and provides a fun, sophisticated, and social environment that celebrates and promotes the natural hair community and culture. The expo brings together some of the largest hair brands and bloggers into the beautiful Contemporary Arts Center for a weekend of gloriousness! It’s the perfect topper to the melanin sundae Essence Festival fuses together so graciously.

High key, between the Expo, Essence Concerts and Bourbon nights, normally for us the bustle never ends. Now we always pay our respects, but this year things were different. Driving to and fro with the crew sparked hundreds and hundreds of girl chats. And it wasn’t the surface level ones, it was the deeper ones that make you want to be a better person. This year we realized that a trip to Essence can be the therapy you need to get through! Maybe we’ve grown as women or the mystic of the drive is ultimately calming and cultivates life-changing conversations. And just like that, we’ve learned and grown from the company we keep and we have NOLA to thank!

What kind of women would we be, if we failed to share a few key conversation points that made the cut. “Mama NOLA” in full effect:

FORGIVENESS: We all find ourselves in a weird space that causes us to lag in the forgiveness department. It can be extremely tough and sometimes crazy as hell to think about forgiving someone who’s wronged us, but what does holding a grudge prove? We found on our girls trip that it proves not a damn thang and may even cause wrinkles (lol). Sometimes it’s better to let it go, even if it’s just for you and no one else. It takes real friends to remind you that forgiveness is necessary for growth.

THE RIGHT SIZE: The way you see yourself is pretty important, sis. And it took my girlfriends to tell me that I’ve been wearing my clothes TOO BIG. My first reaction was NAH, HEH CLOTHES AINT BIG AT TALL, but they were in fact a smidge too big. It was tough to accept that I hadn’t taken the time to acknowledge that the latest version of me was slimmer. I ignored her and in some weird way didn’t give her a chance to shine. But can we all thank God for honest friends who can see your progress even when you can’t?! Celebrate your small wins waist snatches!

PORTION CONTROL: Some of us can have a breakdown in the bathroom, cry for a little bit and get back to work. For some of us, the entire world stops, burns and crashes. And then there are those of us who are breaking down and haven’t even realized it yet. In these cases you open up and start to talk. In conversations with your girls you realize that you’re not okay. You realize that you’ve taken on more than you can handle. Your girls are there to validate your feelings, remind you of how awesome you are and encourage you to take it one day at a time. You may even have the friend who’s ready to bust a cap. She’s fun too. You soon realize that you’re not alone and it’s okay to chop your situation into bits and pieces so you can handle it -- AND on your own terms. This is beauty of rolling with people who have a variation of perspectives. It makes you thankful for the testimonies and experiences of others. What a relief, right?

So our advice: Go with the people who make you feel alive! If you’re feeling “dead” go with the  healers! ……...hit the streets,

shop ALOT,

go to a concert and

swing by the  New Orleans Natural Expo to stash up on the latest products. After all, it is a girls trip.

Images captured by Velarie Hinson | View More on www.neworleansnaturalhairexpo.com

Ujamma Family Festival at Fair Park Dallas

On April 7, 2018 the Ujamaa Family Festival, hosted a free festival open to the public, in Fair Park Dallas. The festival included fun, culturally enriching activities for families to enjoy from Noon to 7 PM. The small business fair showcased over forty African American owned businesses.

“We are excited to bring a family friendly festival to the Dallas Fort Worth area that
exposes youth to positive African American artists, performers and business owners”,
said Alana Sutton Watkins, Vice President of Community Relations at Ujamaa Events
LLC.

The Ujamaa Family Festival was sponsored by fifteen local businesses and the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs. The festival featured entertaining and educational performances for the whole family including West African inspired fitness sponsored by afrikoPOP, a STEM workshop sponsored by HAK Electronics, line dancing demonstrations by Dancing Divas and Dudes Line Dancing, and interpretative dancing by Amberly Moore. Cultural artists for this event were sponsored by the Community Artists Program (CAP), a program of the City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs. These artists included African storyteller Afiah Bey, jazz ensemble Candace Mahogany Miller, and percussionist & African drummer Len Barnett.

Guests received a glimpse of life-size characters from the movie including Black Panther, Shuri, Erik Killmonger and Nakia to a special appearance by a real life Black Panther character. Additionally, children enjoyed arts and crafts sponsored by Black-Tie Babysitting and over-sized games sponsored by Jumbo Wars. For the adults, there was informative speakers on the Imani Sponsor Speaker Stage. These premier sponsors spoke about home purchasing from Wanna Home Loans, transportation and technology job opportunities from Look Up Innovations LLC and estate planning and financial wealth with Earl Gordon from State Farm Insurance.
Sponsors Included: Mass Media Solutions, Pan African Connection, Curls, Camille Cannon Realty, Honey Be Natural Magazine, Obi Legal Group, Suddenly Forty, and Yara Imani LLC.

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Ujamaa Events LLC is an event planning company focused on delivering high quality events for African Americans in the Dallas and Fort Worth region.  They focus on providing events that help improve outcomes for the African American community through economic empowerment. Ujamaa is a Swahili word for extended family and is a Kwanzaa principle meaning cooperative economics. They create events such as festivals, youth camps and small business events.

Boss Women Who Brunch: Vision Board Experience

Coverage & Photography by Cormeshia Batty (@SheBatty) // Staff Writer for HoneyBeNatural

The Ultimate Vision Board Workshop hosted by Boss Women Who Brunch was educational, empowering and all about Bossing up as Black women in business -entrepreneurial or otherwise. 

Keynote, Necole Kane spoke about humble beginnings, becoming a celebrity gossip blogger, outgrowing her brand, and the courage it took to reinvent herself and start over.

Workshop leaders discussed brand building, exposure, financial planning, knowing your worth and more.

Attendees took their new-found knowledge and crafted personal vision boards for the future of their businesses, then meditated on the manifestation of their goals.

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EVENT PHOTOS

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The Cupcake Experience

By: Shunquetta Goins, Social Media Contributor & Photographer

Lover of sweet things? We stopped by the Cupcake Experience hosted by Ginger Chanel, formally introducing the metroplex to her budding craft.

Held at Southside on Lamar in Dallas, TX, Chanel offered an assortment of cupcakes ranging in flavors from strawberry to lemon. She paired each cupcake with a splash of wines from Grapevine Winery.

We can't forget to mention the networking, the Cupcake Experience was a night of fruit-topped cupcakes, bubbly and full of witty grown-folk conversation hosted by The Charm Skool show

The Natural Hair Industry Convention 2018 - ATL

November 16, 2017 (ATLANTA, GA)-- The Natural Hair Industry Convention raised the natural hair show bar through their 4th annual convention held in Atlanta on November 12th.  The event presented hundreds of hairstylists who traveled from across the country and internationally for a day of nearly 40 technical and theory-based natural hair classes along with business development workshops. Attendees not only benefited from the robust and in-depth education provided but they also benefitted from opportunities to network and rub shoulders with some of the industry’s greatest. Industry heavyweights included natural haircare pioneer Diane C. Bailey; celebrity stylist and trichologist Dr. Kari Williams; and natural hair artists Essence China, Michelle London, Sherelle Holder and Typh the Braider to name a few.  Leaders of renown natural hair brands showed their support to attendees by lending their expertise and counsel, including Shavonne Riggins of Curlkalon; Cornell McBride, Jr. of Design Essentials; Renee Morris of Uncle Funky’s Daughter; Anita Hill-Moses of Natural Hair Restoration Products; and Bernard Bronner of Bronner Brothers Haircare Products and the Bronner Brothers International Beauty Show.

 "We are thrilled with all of the positive feedback we've received from our attendees this year,” says Angela Walker, co-founder of the Natural Hair Industry Convention. “Making the show a destination education retreat in Atlanta allowed us to get our full wish list of natural hair industry leaders. We are especially thankful to Curlkalon, Design Essentials, Shea Moisture and Uncle Funky’s Daughter for supporting our efforts toward empowering our industry peers.”

“Our first time in Atlanta has been the best convention yet!” says Susan Peterkin-Bishop, co-founder of the Natural Hair Industry Convention.  “We not only surpassed expectations with overall registrations but we were blown away by the quality of the professionals who attended, including many who are renown in their own right. Atlanta has set us up for an even better convention in 2018!”

Images: IndaHouse Media.

Haute Sociètè by London Burton

By: Cormeshia Batty

‘Where Class is First’ -a fitting theme and tagline for Sunday night’s Haute Sociètè by London Burton fashion show. Guests enjoyed a variety of exquisite bites, petite delectables, and signature cocktails trimmed in gold (colored sugar).

Alyssa Harrington performed a sultry jazz routine as (our current cover model) Dana Harper, accompanied by Violinist, Richmond Punch, and Pianist, Yulia, opened the show with a breathtaking rendition of Jermaine Stewart’s 1980’s hit, We don’t have to take our clothes off.

The collection featured an array of jumpsuits - classy, chic, sleek, soft and powerful. Something to satisfy the tastes of women ranging from the delicate soft flower to the no-nonsense businesswoman, to the SHERO in all of us. Burton’s Collection is classic and sophisticated, and screams I am Woman!  

CNKDaily X Budlight Presents 'Friendsgiving'

CNKDaily founder Channing (Chan-Lo) hosted “Friendsgiving’ sponsored by Budlight and featuring Phoebe Lovatt, a Freelance Writer + Moderator and Founder of The WW Club.

“In between good food and good vibes, Phoebe talked about her journey from adolescent go-getter to a that of a woman who travels around the world spreading love, light, and girl power through her business, The Working Women's Club, and a new book designed to provide a workable roadmap for women like me and you as we chase our dreams one to-do list at a time. Each one of our guests left with The Working Women's Handbook: Ideas, Insights, and Inspiration for a Successful Creative Career and an opportunity to use the tools and do the work.” - CNKDaily.com

The exclusive event was catered by Chef Gabrielle McBay who curated a feast fit for the queens in attendance. Among our favorite Thanksgiving foods --- greens, mac-n-cheese, turkey and cornbread -- McBay incorporated beer into select items to install the Budlight activation throughout.

OFF THE RECORD: It was delicious!

ON THE RECORD: The Event was held in a loft-styled event space just shy of the Dallas skyline. Channing’s ultimate goal was to give women tangible tools to help build their careers. In the building where some of Dallas’ key influencers, photographers, creatives, and business women. This event left a sweet taste in your mouth as it was warming and full of girl love. It’s the kind of cool and casual event that makes the holiday season something to look forward to.

To keep up with more CNKDaily sneakHER style and chickspiration, visit CNKDaily.com!

View the remaining photos below!

The Michel Germain Fragrance Event

By: Cormeshia Batty & Alfena Wiliiams

The Michel Gemain Sexual fragrance event was one to remember. It couldn’t have come at a better time, right before the holidays. During this time of the year people are shopping for the perfect gift  and this brand definitely has something for everyone.

We had a chance to get close and personal with his team to find out the inspiration behind the fragrance line. Germain wanted to create a scent that made his wife Norma feel like she was the only woman in the world. For 5 years he traveled  to France, Africa and the northeast looking for the right elements to create unique fragrances. This line has been described as a “Love note wrapped in a bottle.” His signature fragrances set him apart from others because each one has its own hidden note.

“The fragrances invites closeness and romance” as described by his brand ambassador. They are oil based and long lasting. Each fragrance blends with your body chemistry and creates it’s own scent. This is by far one of the most diverse lines we’ve seen in awhile offering scents for both men and women.

The Bella Kinks Expo

The Annual Bella Kinks Expo was held on October 21st at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas from 12:00 to 7:30pm. Known as the Premier Hair Show for Naturals in DFW with over 50 vendors ranging from hair care to African fashions and home decor items. Rows of vendors gathered to share their products with eager guests ready to shop and connect with like-minded women in the DFW metroplex. The spacious arena gave room for a massive main stage that could be seen and heard by all.  

Images by Shunquetta Goins and Desiree B.

The Ultimate Girl Gang: Boss Women Who Brunch

On Saturday, October 14, 2017, Boss Women Who Brunch hosted the Ultimate Girl Gang Experience at The Trunk Club in Dallas, TX. The event gave honor to some of Dallas' most influential women. Guests were able to participate in self-worth activities, network and enjoy an array of small bites by local chefs. The event was headlined by Mahisha Dellinger, the owner of Curls natural hair brand, with a panel to follow. The honorees were: 

@Mahisha_Dellinger, Owner of Curls

@Yodit_Tewolde, Attorney & Analyst

@LadyJade104, Radio Host on K104

@Kilbridelindsey, VP of Sales at Trunk Club

@IAMTammyFranklin, Motivational Speaker & Wife

and

@GritByBrit, Founder of Grit Fitness

DinerEnBlanc Dallas (2017)

Annually DinerEnBlanc Dallas is the place to be. Guests come from around the metroplex to prance in their all-white while enjoying a surprise location. DEBDAL is always good to us and always showcases beauty in all shapes, forms, and sizes!

Seeing guests in their all white on White Rock Lake was a real treat! We're excited that Dallas has so many gems and Diner En Blanc is introducing us to them.

We won't stop you from scrolling to view some of the curly women AND men that were rocking their naturals and/or locs at the event.  Cheers to year three and we can't wait for next year!

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Event Coverage: Cormeshia Batty 

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Curl Fest 2017

[#EventRecap] 📍Today at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY - the annual ultimate natural beauty festival took place and was the temporary home to afros, twist-outs, beards and positive energy! The best names in natural beauty, fashion vendors and just dope naturalistas gathered for a day of fun surprises. Swipe Left for photos by @cydstruts! 

Dinner En Blanc Dallas (2016)

Click here for images: http://www.ishagaines.com/event-photography/2016/10/24/diner-in-blanc-dallas

New Orleans Natural Hair Expo 2016!

 The New Orleans Natural Hair Expo (NONHE) is the  “Ultimate Natural Hair Experience!” The goal of the NONHE  is to provided a fun, sophisticated, and social environment   that celebrates and promotes the natural hair community  and culture.  As we plan for 2017, we hope that you plan to  join us as “Natural Hair Meets New Orleans!”

Find official event coverage here: http://www.ishagaines.com/event-photography/2016/10/24/new-orleans-natural-hair-expo-brunch

2016 Essence Festival: Photography for Creme of Nature

Event Coverage Photos: http://www.ishagaines.com/event-photography/2016/10/24/essence-festival-creme-of-nature-saturday

Event Coverage Photos: http://www.ishagaines.com/event-photography/2016/10/24/essence-festival-creme-of-nature-sunday

Official Press Release: TIME INC.’S 2016 ESSENCE FESTIVAL ATTRACTS MORE THAN 450,000 ATTENDEES FOR ANNUAL CULTURAL CELEBRATION IN NEW ORLEANS 

Event Captures a Record-Breaking 3.5 Billion Impressions Via Social Media 

Delivers Over 100 Hours of Video and Live Stream Programming Across Four Days 

July 4, 2016 (New York, NY) - Time Inc.’s (NYSE:TIME) 2016 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola attracted more than 450,000 attendees to New Orleans this Fourth of July weekend for its annual cultural celebration featuring more than 100 performing artists and over 100 speakers---which included first-time appearances by Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, Tyra Banks, Misty Copeland and many more.  Recognized as one of the country’s largest live events, the 2016 ESSENCE Festival hosted more celebrities and performing talent than ever before, extended its reach worldwide by capturing a record-breaking 3.5 billion social media impressions and delivered over 100 hours of curated video and live-stream content.  The annual 4-day Festival, which took place June 30-July 3, features entertainment, empowerment, and cultural experiences during the day and the world’s best performers each night.  Highlights of the 2016 ESSENCE Festival include:

·       Over 100 performing artists—more than ever before across the Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Many of the biggest names in the entertainment industry such as Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey, Maxwell, Puff Daddy & The Family, Common and Ciara performed at the event’s nighttime concerts and dozens of others across ESSENCE’s Center Stage and All-Star Gospel Tribute honoring The Clark Sisters.

·       More than 100 speakers, authors, leaders and celebrities participated in the Festival’s free daytime experience –including a first-ever appearance by Oprah Winfrey to a standing-room only crowd.  Other first-time speakers included Tyra Banks and Misty Copeland and the return of perennial favorites Rev. Al Sharpton and Bishop T.D. Jakes, among others, drew packed crowds.

·       The launch of two new consumer Expos, ‘Beauty & Style’ and ‘Entrepreneurship, Money & Power’ which extended the Festival’s daytime footprint by more than 125,000 square feet within the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, drawing passionate crowds of thousands each day.

·       The expansion of ‘Entertainment All-Access’, offering fans more access to Hollywood’s A-list celebrities than ever before, as well as exclusive first-looks at the hottest movies, TV shows and cast talk-backs in the ESSENCE Screening Room.

·       More than 100 hours of digital programming including first-time live-stream of the ESSENCE Empowerment Stage content and video on demand garnering over 500,000 views.

·       Over 113,000 social media posts driving more than 3.5 billion impressions with trending status on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Sponsors of the 2016 ESSENCE Festival include presenting sponsor Coca-Cola and major sponsors Ford, McDonald’s, State Farm, Verizon, and Walmart.  Superlounge sponsors include Coca-Cola, Ford and Walmart. The All Star Gospel Tribute is sponsored by Walmart.

ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS INC.

Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media company dedicated to African-American women, with a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events and online. The company’s flagship publication, ESSENCE, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women, generating brand extensions such as the Essence Festival, Essence Black Women in Hollywood and Black Women in Music, Window on Our Women and Smart Beauty consumer insights series, Essence.com and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 46 years, Essence, which has a brand reach of 14.2 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information and specific solutions relating to every area of African-American women’s lives. Additional information about ECI and Essence is available at www.essence.com.