This story was originally published in ESSENCE’s special 55th anniversary July/August 2025 issue, on stands now. When ESSENCE magazine’s inaugural issue was released in May of 1970, it stood alone in ...

As far as Metroidvanias go, there is really no better game than Hollow Knight. However, as fun as it is, I found Hollow Knight an extremely ambiguous game, since I had no idea what was going on when I ...

Some of the most iconic voices in hip-hop and R&B are taking over New Orleans this weekend at the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture. The long-standing festival will feature a jam-packed lineup of ...

This story is featured in the July/August 2025, 55th anniversary issue of ESSENCE. ESSENCE has long been attuned to what Black women want and need—especially when it comes to conversations about sex.

For the Essence Festival of Culture’s producers, social media criticism is part of the job — and not necessarily a bad thing. “It’s an honor and a blessing to have something you’re working on have ...

Now that the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® has wrapped, and we have all taken a deep breath, read the posts and comments, and had time to digest the magnitude of the ...

Philanthropist, financier and innovator Michael Milken is redefining the American Dream as something deeper than financial success. "What is essential to the American Dream?" Milken asked in an ...

ESSENCE Black Women in Business presented by L’Oréal Groupe honored Patti LaBelle as the Icon Award recipient, Ursula Burns ...