Every year Essence Festival brings out the black and the beautiful. 2018 was no different. Global Grind was on hand for day 1 of the Essence Fest weekend and without a doubt, this year was full of peak blackness.
Hit the gallery for a recap of Essence Fest Day 1!
1. Essence Festival
Source:Global GrindThe Boss Ladies have arrived!
2. George Tillman Jr. and Regina King
Source:Global GrindGeorge Tillman Jr. and Regina King hit the 2018 Essence Festival Empowerment stage. regina king,george tillman jr.,essence fest,2018 essence festival
3. Barry Jenkins, George Tillman and Regina King
Source:Global GrindBarry Jenkins (Moonlight), George Tillman (director of The Hate U Give) and Regina King on the Essence Festival 2018 Empowerment stage. regina king,george tillman jr.,essence fest,2018 essence festival,barry jenkins
4. Barry Jenkins and Regina King
Source:Global GrindBarry Jenkins and Regina King at Essence Festival 2018 in New Orleans essence festival,barry jenkins and regina king
5. Barry Jenkins
Source:Global GrindBarry Jenkins (Moonlight) talks new ‘Beale Street’ film with James Baldwin at Essence Festival 2018 in New Orleans. new orleans,essence fest,barry jenkins,essence festival 2018
6. Meelah of 702
Source:Global Grind702 performs at Essence Festival 2018 in New Orleans new orleans,702,essence fest,essence festival 2018
7. 702 at Essence Festival
Source:Global Grind702 reunited for a performance at Essence Festival 2018 in New Orleans. 702,essence fest,2018 essence fest
8. Mary J. Blige
Source:Global GrindMary J. Blige at Essence Festival 2018 in New Orleans. new orleans,mary j. blige,essence festival,2018 essence fest
9. Lena Waithe
Source:Global GrindLena Waithe tells Essence Fest she wouldn’t have won an Emmy if she wasn’t out-queer because being out allowed her to have a story to tell. lena waithe,essence festival,2018 essence fest
10. The Hate You Give Cast
Source:Global GrindThe Hate You Give cast at Essence Festival 2018 in New Orleans essence festival
11. Miguel
Source:Global GrindMiguel hits the Mercedes-Benz Superdome stage at Essence Festival 2018 in New Orleans snoop dogg,essence festival,2018 essence fest
12. Snoop Dogg
Source:Global GrindSnoop Dogg hits the Mercedes-Benz Superdome stage at Essence Festival 2018 in New Orleans snoop dogg,essence festival,2018 essence fest