Entertainment
Essence Festival announces 2023 lineup: Ms. Lauryn Hill, Megan Thee Stallion, Wizkid, Jermaine Dupri & more
Published
3 years agoon
NEW YORK – Now what you hear is not a test: The 2023 ESSENCE Festival of Culture™,
presented by Coca-Cola® is back in New Orleans for its 29th year and a celebration of 50 years of hip-hop.
From fresh fits to lyrical hits, the in-person and virtual experience will both explore and showcase how
hip-hop has impacted every aspect of global culture through daytime programming and nightly shows.
Ever a hallmark of ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ are the live evening performances, which feature some
of the most award-winning hip-hop artists to rock the mic over the last 50 years including headliners Ms.
Lauryn Hill, who will give a special performance of the 5x Grammy-winning album “The Miseducation of
Lauryn Hill” in recognition of its 25th anniversary, and 3x Grammy Award-winning artist, Megan Thee
Stallion. Doug E. Fresh will curate a special performance of hip-hop pioneers, and in honor of So So Def’s
30th anniversary, Grammy award-winning super producer and label founder, Jermaine Dupri, will deliver
a special performance with some of the biggest names in hip-hop to come out of Atlanta. Other artists
joining the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ stage include Wizkid, Monica, Coco Jones and Kizz Daniel.
Fans can look forward to laughs every night with evening hosts Deon Cole, Affion Crockett, Spice Adams
and Janelle James, as well as sounds by DJ Spinderella, DJ Kid Capri and DJ Clark Kent. Additional talent
and experiences will be announced soon.
Like hip-hop, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ is more than just the music. Attendees will embark on a
celebration of hip-hop’s rich history across stages and experiences throughout the four-day event, which
will kick-off on June 29th. The multi-generational experience entrenched in culture, equity, and
celebration extends ESSENCE’s long-standing commitment to creating opportunities that will
economically benefit and contribute to local Black-owned businesses.
“For nearly three decades, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ has been an international and joyful
gathering that empowers community throughout the global Black diaspora. As the nation’s largest festival
by per day attendance, it continues to be a crown jewel of Black culture and plays a pivotal role in the
amplification and celebration of the contributions of the Black community through business, music, and
more. As we gear up to celebrate the ‘50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop’, we couldn’t think of a better way to
honor the contributions the genre has made on global culture and the impressions that these artists and
their deep musical catalogs, which we all know so well, have been ingrained into the fibers of our day to
day lives,” said Hakeem Holmes, newly appointed Vice President of ESSENCE Festival of Culture™.
Last year, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ saw 1.9 million live and virtual attendees, increased revenue,
and brought in new and reinvested sponsors – marking the highest revenue and largest audience in its
history. The 2023 Festival is excited to bring back new and returning activations steeped in hip-hop
culture, to celebrate the community, including nightly concerts at the Superdome, ESSENCE Food & Wine
Festival, Beautycon: ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ Edition, AFROPUNK: ESSENCE Festival of Culture™
Edition, ESSENCE Center Stage, ESSENCE Marketplace, New Voices Village, Community Corner, ESSENCE
Authors, Global Black Economic Forum and Village, Girl’s United House, ESSENCE Family Day: The Block
and more. The 2023 ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ is presented by Coca-Cola® and major partners, AT&T,
L’Oréal, McDonald’s USA and Target Corporation.
Tickets for the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola® are now on sale at
www.ESSENCEFestival.com, where consumers can also find festival information & updates. Join the
conversation on social @ESSENCEFest or experience the festival virtually on ESSENCE.com.
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Entertainment
WATCH: FNN News Podcast en Español, Tuesdays at 6:30pm EST
Published
5 days agoon
January 8, 2026By
Willie DavidCentral Florida News
“Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker” Brings Diversity and Magic to Orlando’s Holiday Stage
Published
2 months agoon
November 6, 2025By
Willie DavidORLANDO, Fla. (FNN ARTS & CULTURE) – Orlando Community Arts, Inc. proudly presents “Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker,” an original adaptation of the classic Nutcracker story written by Beverly Page, published author and executive producer. This vibrant holiday production brings the magic of the season to life while celebrating the cultural diversity that defines Central Florida.
Audiences are invited to join Clare on a magical journey through her enchanting dream, traveling alongside the Chocolate Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy around the world — from Africa and Asia to the Caribbean, India, and beyond — before reaching the dazzling Kingdom of Toys.
Described as soulful, bold, colorful, exciting, lively, and delightful, “Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker” offers an unforgettable holiday experience for the entire family — filled with music, dance, and cultural storytelling that capture the heart of the season.
About Steglich Ross and Associates
Steglich Ross and Associates, based in Apopka, Florida, are premier experts in crafting and executing large-scale events that elevate brands and inspire audiences. The firm specializes in festival planning, marketing strategy, brand development, and creative web design, offering personalized solutions that help clients connect with their communities in meaningful ways.
Entertainment
Jeffery Lorenzo Williams: Defying Limits and Redefining Possibility
Published
2 months agoon
November 6, 2025ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – When you hear the word “disability,” it’s easy to imagine limits, restrictions, and barriers. But for Jeffery Lorenzo Williams, those words have no place in his vocabulary. Paralyzed at 13, Williams identifies as a person of determination — a term that reflects strength and capability, not limitation. His life has become a masterclass in turning adversity into empowerment, proving that the most powerful movement begins in the mind.
During an exclusive interview with FNN News, Williams reflected on the event that changed his life and the mindset that carried him forward.
“I never focused on what I couldn’t do,” Williams said. “I focused on what I could and I just kept moving forward.”
That perspective has shaped a career defined by reinvention. Today, Williams is an accomplished New York City real estate broker, motivational author, pilot, and footwear designer. Each title tells part of the same story — one of perseverance, creativity, and purpose.
Through his footwear brand JLorenzo’s, Williams designs adaptive sneakers that merge fashion with motivation. His collections feature empowering inscriptions such as “Be somebody nobody thought you could be.” He laughs as he recalls me being his first customer. “Each inscription represents walking not just physically, but walking in purpose,” he said.
His work has not only built a stylish, inclusive brand but has also redefined what representation in fashion can look like. Earlier this year, Williams brought that message to Daniel’s Leather’s Inclusive Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week 2025, joining nearly 40 wheelchair-using models, including Ms. Wheelchair America 2026, Latavia Sturdivant. The event was more than a showcase — it was a celebration of visibility and empowerment. “The energy was incredible,” Williams said. “It wasn’t about being different, it was about being seen.”
Beyond fashion, Williams takes his passion for breaking barriers to the skies. As a licensed pilot, he flies glider planes, something he calls the ultimate expression of freedom.
“Flying gives me freedom,” he said. “It’s proof that even when life grounds you, you can still soar.”
His memoir, “My Feet Are Off the Ground: Turning Tragedy Into Triumph,” chronicles his remarkable journey from paralysis to success. Proceeds from the book fund nursing scholarships, extending his lifelong commitment to giving back. Looking ahead, Williams plans to bring his story to new audiences through a documentary and a stage play, with his son, Jeff Jr., potentially portraying him on screen.
When asked if he would change his past, Williams paused thoughtfully before answering.
“Of course, I’d love to walk,” he said. “But if I hadn’t gone through what I did, I wouldn’t have been able to touch and change lives the way I have. That’s worth more than anything.”
Jeffery Lorenzo Williams doesn’t just live with determination — he embodies it. Through his work, his story, and his example, he continues to challenge the world’s perception of ability. His life is a vivid reminder that real barriers often exist only where others place them, and that courage, when paired with purpose, can truly move mountain.
In a world quick to define people by their obstacles, Jeffery Lorenzo Williams is a compelling reminder that true limitation exists only where we allow it.
_________________________________________________________________
Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com
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