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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JULY 2025 53 We Are Made Like is: e Spirit and eme of ESSENCE Festival 2025 The ESSENCE Festival of Culture® began in 1995 to commemorate Essence Magazine's 25th anniversary. It instantly became an annual tradition due to overwhelming demand for a dedicated space where Black women could come together and unapologetically celebrate themselves. New Orleans, Louisiana, has remained its home, fostering a thirty-year partnership thanks to the city's unique culture and hospitality. During the day, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center vibrates with attendees enjoying live music, shopping for African artwork and fashion, and engaging with speaker panels on topics ranging from health and wellness to finance, cultural heritage, and community building. Attendees also savor the city's delicious cuisine. Evenings shift to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, hosting iconic R&B, funk, gospel, soul, and Hip-Hop artists. Past headliners include Stevie Wonder, Prince, Beyoncé, and Mariah Carey. This year features Boyz II Men, Maxwell, and Master P, alongside a special tribute to Quincy Jones, curated by Jermaine Dupri. Beyond the main venues, the festival coincides with National Black Restaurant Week and permeates throughout the French Quarter and the entire city. It typically draws half a million Black people from around the world every Fourth of July weekend. More than just a concert series, ESSENCE Festival is a "party with a purpose," offering a vital platform for discussions on beauty, fashion, finance, and entrepreneurship relevant to Black women. It is truly the ideal "girls' trip." This powerful expo highlights Black talent, ideas, and entrepreneurship. It has been faithfully held in New Orleans every year except one, when the Superdome underwent repairs due to Hurricane Katrina. Three decades strong, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture® is the epitome of Black joy, with every moment designed to inspire, empower, and elevate. This year, Essence Magazine is 55 years old, what an empowering cultural impact! Upcoming AACC Events: The next AACC event will be Jazz Under the Stars on Saturday, Oct. 11. Save the date! The AACC meets on the first Monday of the month at 6 pm in The Lodge Game Room. For more information, contact Jocelyn Doucette at cjs1speed@gmail.com. ~ Regina omas African American Cultural Club e movie "Girls Trip" was lmed during ESSENCE Festival 2016 Boys II Men singing group will headline ESSENCE Festival 2025