Day one of New Orleans’ Essence Festival kicks off

NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO ) — Friday is the first full day of the Essence Festival of Culture holding its 30th anniversary.

It’s a celebration of Black culture that, for over three decades, has brought people from different walks of life to New Orleans for a great experience.

“Essence is family, fun and connecting with people. That’s what it means to me,” said attendee Steven Smith.

It’s also a place for young entrepreneurs to promote their products. One vendor specifically designed her materials for those wanting to step outside of their comfort zones.

“I want women to feel confident. I want them to feel like they are on top of the world because we go through so much. As soon as you step out, you are going to get all the compliments in the world, I promise you,” said TruFace owner Grace Yevoah Ofori.

From pictures at the different booths to sitting in the stylist seats, Essence gives women a place and feeling of comfort. That feeling of comfort is precisely why Erial Green with Soultree Scents created a body butter that would play off of those sentiments.

“On a daily basis, a lot of times as women we are so overwhelmed and so bogged down that we just forget to take care of ourselves, and so the act of applying a body butter and smelling it provides so much comfort,” said Green.

One noteworthy feature of the entire experience for Indi Taylor is the wellness house, a place to retreat, rejuvenate and restore your body. For her, it’s one part of the event that she prays people take part in.

“We need to know about our health. A lot of us don’t know a lot of men do not go to the doctor. It’s important. I see a guy here now. It’s important for them to go and get checked as well. Having it at the convention center is very important I think,” said Taylor.

With more days ahead, one attendee said that this is the one city you won’t leave disappointed.

“The food is amazing, and again just the energy. It’s like drinking a bottle with electrolytes. You get your energy,” said Smith.

To top all of that off, Cash Money Records will be performing for the first time in years, right here in the city that they started in.

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