Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson surprises Essence Fest
Why it matters: The nation's largest Black culture festival generates more than $300 million for the city's economy, organizers say.
The big picture: Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was a welcome last-minute addition to the schedule, telling a standing-room only crowd at the convention center about her time so far at the highest court in the land.
At the Caesars Superdome, Lauryn Hill and Doug E. Fresh surprised the crowd.
And, Master P gave the final performance of his career Sunday night.
Zoom in: Attendance levels were the talk of Essence.
Hotel bookings leading into the weekend were down compared with last year, which was the fest's 30th anniversary, writes Desiree Stennett with the Times-Picayune.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell tells Axios New Orleans in an exclusive interview Saturday that "the national narrative" affected festival sponsorship and travel interest. The city will work with the festival to improve next year, she says.
She spoke at several events, including one Sunday, where she told the audience being mayor goes from "celebration to crucifixion real fast," according to Fox 8.
Friction point: Attendees were upset about the pricing structure this year for the return of the popular Superlounges.
In the past, they were included with tickets. This year, they were only open for VVIP ticket holders, which attendees say wasn't explained early enough.
Essence organizers apologized on social media, saying they didn't get it right.
Attendees also had a lot to say about Target, one of Essence's major sponsors that's facing a national backlash after recently rolling back its DEI efforts.
Target had a massive, prominent exhibit at last year's festival with long lines to get in. This year, the now-pink installation was scaled back. Plus, protesters outside the convention center were encouraging attendees to skip it.
Fun fact: TikTok food critic Keith Lee was on an Essence panel and stopped by Spicy Mango, Larry Morrow's new restaurant on Frenchmen Street.
He hasn't reviewed it yet, but the plates are empty in his video so we're taking that as a good sign.
What's next: Organizers say they expect to release final numbers for ticket sales and attendance in coming days.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Refinery29
2 hours ago
- Refinery29
This ‘New' Braided Hair Extension Trend Isn't New At All — Here's Why It Matters
If you're a resident of the hair corner of TikTok, chances are you've stumbled across a video of a woman showing us her last two strands of hair after removing her first set of 'Korean Braiding Extensions'. Okay, fine, I am being facetious, but 1.3 million views and counting later, it's clear that this young woman has fallen victim to the Asianification of Black beauty trends (more on that later). In the video, her natural hair appears to be visibly damaged and lacklustre with sparse and broken ends. 'Seventy per cent of my hair came out with them,' she says in the video. At the beginning of the clip, the creator @ nutritionbynikki shares her excitement of trying the braided extensions for the first time and the 'confidence' the style gave her during seven weeks of wear — and at this stage, her review is glowing. The second part of the video showed her hair after she removed the extensions to give her scalp 'a break'. Comments flooded in, almost foreshadowing the inevitable. The damage to her hair was far too predictable. These Korean braiding extensions — sometimes labelled 'hidden braids' — are being applied to misinformed folks with 1A–2C hair. The aesthetic? Long, flowing, seemingly seamless hair with no visible tracks. The reviews? Subpar, to say the least. In fact, 'I had to cut them out,' 'My scalp is on fire,' and 'This is giving… bald patch' are the kinds of reactions that have been racking up in the comments. But the gag is: this 'new' trend? Yeah... it might not be so new after all.'This is just a rebrand — microbraids, pick-and-drop, whatever you want to call it — we've been doing this for years. It's nothing new,' says Rashidat Giwa, hair educator and head stylist at SouthwestSix London hair salon. And, if you grew up in a Black household or sat through a Saturday at an auntie's kitchen-salon setup, you may already be familiar with this method, although not necessarily for the right reasons. What they're calling 'Korean braiding extensions' are basically microbraids or pick-and-drop braids — a long-standing style in afro hair communities, but perhaps with slightly different outcomes. 'They're very small, neat individual braids, typically done with extensions, that give a seamless, natural finish similar to K-tips,' explains Rashidat. 'The technique has been around for decades.' Small sections of natural hair are parted throughout the head. Synthetic or human hair extensions are added to each section, and the hair is braided individually, often as either three-strand or two-strand twists. The braiding usually only goes a few inches down, and then the rest of the extension is left loose, creating that illusion of free-flowing strands — this is the 'drop' part in 'pick and drop.' ' 'Straighter hair tends to be more fragile when it comes to tension-based styles. The strands can slip out or snap under pressure because they don't have the natural grip or density that afro-textured hair has to hold these styles.' rashidat giwa, hair educator and head stylist at SouthwestSix London hair salon. When installed well, the result is a natural-looking blend of braided roots with flowing hair that mimics the appearance of K-tips or keratin bond extensions without the glue or the excessive heat. It's meticulous and time-consuming, but when done right, it can look flawless. But as the style has been co-opted and applied to straighter hair textures without understanding the cultural and technical foundation behind it, we're now watching 'Black TikTok' shudder. @nutritionbynikki ohhhh to be this blissfully unaware of the damage @T-ANNA HAIR EXTENSIONS ❤️ would cause to my hair after only 7 weeks…watch till the end for my hair (or lack of) post extension removal 💔😭😭😭 #hairtok #hairloss #hairextensions #tannahairextensions #fyp #greenscreen ♬ original sound - Nikki🧿 Can This Hair Extension Method Work On All Hair Types? What the viral videos aren't showing is that this isn't a one-size-fits-all style — and it certainly wasn't designed with fine, straight hair in mind. Giwa breaks it down: 'Straighter hair tends to be more fragile when it comes to tension-based styles. The strands can slip out or snap under pressure because they don't have the natural grip or density that afro-textured hair has to hold these styles.' Basically, if you don't have the structure to support that level of tension, you're setting yourself up for failure. 'If done too tightly or if there is too much hair extension on one strand, especially on fine or straight textures, they can cause breakage or even traction alopecia,' says Giwa. That's not to say microbraids are inherently damaging. 'Microbraids can be gentle if installed correctly — but they're time-consuming and require precision,' Giwa adds. On top of that, many of these viral videos show synthetic hair being used — another red flag. 'Synthetic hair can be rough, especially if not pre-treated. For finer or straighter textures, it can rub and cause breakage or scalp irritation. It also doesn't blend as well, which can look unnatural,' Giwa tells Unbothered. ' Black women are often labelled gatekeepers when it comes to trendy hairstyles. We are loud when it comes to protecting the culture that we've built and enrich every day, and we want to protect it so it maintains its authenticity. ' Then there is a deeper, more nuanced issue at play. Black women are often labelled gatekeepers when it comes to trendy hairstyles. We are loud when it comes to protecting the culture that we've built and enrich every day, and we want to protect it so it maintains its authenticity. When it comes to hair specifically, our concern with women of other races doing, for example, Fulani braids (which once had a fleeting rebrand to 'Bo Derek' braids), or any other afro-rooted hairstyles, goes beyond our fight against cultural appropriation. For the non-afro heads out there, best believe we want to protect our culture just as much as we want to protect your scalp. Not all things that seem cool are for everyone. However, the way this style is being marketed as something fresh, trendy, and Asian-influenced when, in reality, it is deeply rooted in Black hair culture is ruffling some feathers. 'Commercial, absolutely,' Giwa says when asked why the style is being positioned as new. 'Something gets a new label and suddenly it's 'trendy' or 'innovative.' It's frustrating because it erases the origin — it becomes about profit, not credit.' And sure, we've been here before. 'It's the same as when cornrows got renamed 'boxer braids,'' she adds. 'When trends ignore the culture they come from, it feels disrespectful.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by ROMI SALON HAIR EXTENSIONS (@romisalon_hairextension) How Do You Choose The Best Hair Extension Method For Your Hair Texture? If you're someone with straight or wavy hair and looking for an alternative to hair extension styles. 'Clip-ins, tape-ins, braid-less wefts or weft extensions are better suited,' Giwa advises. 'If someone wants the microbraid look, they should go to a stylist who understands how to adapt the technique to their texture — it's not one-size-fits-all.' Because while the final look might be cute, the aftercare and maintenance are not for the faint of heart. 'Microbraids need regular moisturising of the scalp and hair, gentle cleansing, and zero pulling,' Giwa explains. 'For someone unfamiliar with protective styles, it can be a lot to maintain. You can't just install and neglect your hair — it will cause damage and breakage.' What was frustrating about seeing multiple people deal with the aftermath of hair damage was that it was avoidable. If they'd just asked literally any Black woman, she probably would've told you this style wasn't built for 1A–2C hair, and that rebranding a Black protective style under an 'Asian aesthetic' or 'innovation' was probably not going to go down smoothly. Perhaps the lesson here is that respecting roots, consulting a stylist, and avoiding renaming things that already exist will save a lot of heartache, headache, and the healthy hair strands you have left.
Black America Web
2 hours ago
- Black America Web
From Insecure to Girls Trip: A National Girlfriends Day Watchlist
Source: Merie W. Wallace / HBO August 1st marks National Girlfriends Day, the perfect time to celebrate the beautiful bond you share with your closest friends. For Black women, our friendships are more than connections—they're lifelines woven with humor, honesty, and unwavering support. Today, take a moment to honor your besties, the ones who hold you down, hype you up, and remind you who you are. STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! Whether you're setting up a group chat love fest, enjoying brunch with mimosas, or indulging in a girls' night in, it's all about cherishing your tribe. National Girlfriends Day is all about celebrating the women who inspire, uplift, and love us. Use this day as a reminder to spend time with your tribe—and maybe squeeze in a little laughter and nostalgia from your favorite shows and movies. Because when you have your girls beside you, every day feels worth celebrating. We've rounded up must-watch shows and movies that capture the essence of sisterhood, laughter, and solidarity. RELATED STORIES: Top 10 Black Celebrity Besties What Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King Teach Us About Friendship Celebrate the glorious chaos of a tight-knit friend group navigating work and love in Brooklyn. Khadijah, Max, Synclaire, and Regine will have you laughing and reflecting on the beauty of sharing life with your girls. This iconic series explores the joys and challenges of Black womanhood, and those intricate yet irreplaceable relationships between friends. A modern-day tale of four ambitious and stylish women balancing friendship, relationships, and career dreams in NYC. Tyler Perry serves up a heartfelt drama about love, betrayal, and the unshakeable bonds of sisterhood. Round up your crew for a laugh-out-loud adventure, because nothing says sisterhood like a wild girls' getaway. A timeless film about love, heartbreak, and the irreplaceable comfort of your girls cheering you on. This SZA and Keke Palmer led film is a must-watch for its fresh perspective on Black women, love, and resilience just out there trying to make it and chase their dreams. Issa and Molly's complicated yet authentic friendship reflects how sisterhood requires effort, empathy, and love. These two friends navigate their 20s into their 30s the best way they can growing apart and growing together. Follow four bold friends as they navigate dating, careers, and the challenges of modern womanhood in New York City, blending humor with heartfelt conversations about love and friendship. This spinoff reunites the original friends as they reinvent themselves in their 50s, tackling new relationships, personal growth, and the ever-changing landscape of life and friendship. This beloved sitcom spotlights four witty older women sharing a home (and plenty of cheesecake) in Miami, proving that support, laughter, and true friendship only get better with time.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Top 6 concerts this week in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Englewood, Punta Gorda
This week we start a new month, and a fresh lineup of local events with it, including live music. Notable concerts include the former lead guitarist of a hard rock group that was nominated for the inaugural Best Metal Performance Grammy, making his return to Sarasota. There will also be multiple acclaimed blues acts in town, including a few that've been nominated for Blues Music Awards. And while we tend to highlight original music over tribute acts in this column, we're showcasing two shows that pay tribute to recently departed musicians, one of whom was a former Sarasota resident. Here are this week's highlights. Event details are subject to change. Looking for more fun things to do this weekend July 31-Aug. 3? Top 5 events in Sarasota area 50-plus fun things to do in August in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Punta Gorda Ticket Newsletter: Sign up to receive restaurant news and reviews plus info on things to do every Friday Snowblind: A Black Sabbath Tribute Ozzy Osbourne died last week, just 17 days after a massive final concert headlined by his pioneering metal band Black Sabbath and a set of Osbourne's solo material. While you sadly won't be able to see Osbourne live again, you can still see the countless musicians carrying on his legacy, including this Black Sabbath tribute group from Tampa (a hub for death metal, a subgenre that arguably wouldn't exist without Black Sabbath and Osbourne.) Snowblind pays tribute in particular to Black Sabbath's years with Osbourne as frontman, a catalog that includes classic songs such as "Paranoid," "War Pigs," "Iron Man," "Sweet Leaf" and "Changes." 7:30 p.m. Saturday; Troll Music, 628 E. Venice Ave., Venice; $25; 941-484-8765; Rick Derringer tribute Guitar hero, songwriter, and acclaimed producer Rick Derringer died earlier this year at age 77 in Ormond Beach. Now, on what would've been the week of his 78th birthday, Bradenton's 88 Live will host a musical tribute to Derringer that is open to Bradenton and Sarasota residents — which Derringer himself formerly was. A wide range of musicians will honor Derringer's legacy, which includes hits such as 'Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo' and 'Hang On Sloopy,' the theme song for Hulk Hogan — another Florida resident who recently passed away — and producing numerous albums by the likes of Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter, and Weird Al Yankovic, including parody classics like 'Eat It.' The lineup includes Derringer's wife, Jenda Derringer, Tony Wilson, Stormbringer, Del Couch, Henry Lawrence, Steve Arvey, Rick Alvis, Susi Best Walker, Wayne 88 Live, Randy Stonehill, Mike MacArthur, Phil DeGracia, and Rebecca Bird. 5:30 p.m. Monday; 88 Live Piano Bar, 6640 Cortez Road W., Suite A, Bradenton; $40 donation at door; RSVPs required; 941-900-1133 'Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo' rocker and former Sarasota resident Rick Derringer dies George Lynch Guitarist George Lynch, of Dokken and Lynch Mob fame, will return to Big Top Live in Sarasota. During Lynch's time with Dokken, the group released multiple platinum-selling albums on Elektra Records (which Lynch Mob were also signed to for their first two full-lengths) and were nominated for the inaugural Best Metal Performance Grammy for 1988's "Beast from the East." The lineup will also include XYZ frontman and former Great White lead singer Terry Ilous, Tora Tora vocalist/guitarist Anthony Corder, and Heartbreak Boulevard. 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show Thursday, Aug. 7; Big Top Live, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; $30.35 general admission, $110.15 VIP front row; 941-371-2939; J.P. Soars and the Red Hots Boca Raton blues guitarist/singer-songwriter J.P. Soars and his band the Red Hots will return to Sarasota County venue and blues spot Englewoods on Dearborn. The group was nominated for four Blues Music Awards in 2022: Band of the Year, B.B. King Entertainer and Instrumentalist — Guitar for Soars, and Instrumentalist — Drums for his bandmate Chris Peet, who scored another nomination in the same category this year. Soars also plays in the supergroup Southern Hospitality with Grammy-nominated pianist Victor Wainwright and fellow Floridian Damon Fowler. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7; Englewoods on Dearborn, 362 W. Dearborn St., Englewood; $7; 941-475-7501; Ben Prestage Florida-raised, self-described "Deep South Swamp Music" performer Ben Prestage will return to one of his semi-regular venues, Celtic Ray Public House in Punta Gorda. The musician grew up in rural Florida and later lived in Memphis, where as a street performer he started playing drums with his feet while simultaneously singing and playing other instruments, a setup he'd bring back to his home state. His repertoire of instruments he plays includes the diddley bow, which earned him a Blues Music Award nomination for Instrumentalist — Other in 2012. 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7; Celtic Ray Public House, 145 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda; 941-916-9115; Matthew Curry Bloomington, Illinois blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Matthew Curry will return to Bradenton restaurant and blues spot Cottonmouth for a solo show. Curry counts among his fans Peter Frampton, The Doobie Brothers and Steve Miller Band, all of whom he's opened for, and he also appeared onscreen in the 2015 David Spade comedy "Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser," playing the late Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman and Jacksonville native Ronnie Van Zant. Can't make this show? Curry is also set to play Troll Music on Friday, Aug. 8. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7; Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen, 1114 12th St. W., Bradenton; $5; 941-243-3735; If you would like to be considered for this story, please submit your event to at least 10 days before our Thursday publication date. Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at Support local journalism by subscribing. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top 6 concerts Sarasota Bradenton Venice Englewood Punta Gorda Solve the daily Crossword
