Expanding Opportunity Essence Fest kicks off on Friday, with roughly 500,000 people attending the event in New Orleans. It generates around $1 billion in economic activity, according to organizers. “Essence Fest is like my Black Friday,” said Rochelle Ivory, owner of beauty brand On the Edge Baby Hair. “It is my biggest sales weekend of the year. It’s where I make all the capital I reinvest in my business.” Many Black Americans are concerned about the political, cultural and economic shifts that have taken place since President Donald Trump’s election. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on stage with Essence CEO Caroline Wanga at the Global Black Economic Forum during the 30th annual Essence Festival of Culture at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 6, 2024
