Home
Essence •

‘This Love Feels Like Rest.’ LeToya Luckett And Taleo Coles Tie The Knot | Essence

LeToya Luckett has undergone the healing. “My soul is at ease,” she says, beaming at her husband, Taleo Coles. 


On the day of their wedding, the love in the air is palpable. Inside the bridal suite, LeToya and her bridesmaids are busy preparing for the big moment, their excitement and anticipation evident as they get ready. Just a few hours from the couple tying the knot, her friends and family are overjoyed to see LeToya in this moment. “It feels like I’ve passed the baton,” says Pamela Luck...
Essence •

EXCLUSIVE: NPR’s Tiny Desk Celebrates Black Music Month With All-Female Lineup | Essence

NPR’s Tiny Desk series has cemented its place within the music landscape as a pop culture stalwart. The small, 7×11 cubicle space has hosted intimate, live performances by a wide array of artists, including Anderson .Paak, Tyler The Creator, Trina, Usher, and Justin Timberlake.


While the concert series runs all year long, there’s a special anticipation for the month of June, which brings about Black Music Month, a special celebration and tribute to the Black musicians who have helped shape th...
Essence •

The Black Music Honors Were A Celebration Of Legacy | Essence

As we approach Black Music Month, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the incredible achievements and advancements made in Black American music. From jazz to hip-hop, Black musicians have been the pioneering forces behind the genres we cherish today. The ninth annual Black Music Honors in Atlanta provided a fitting tribute to some of these trailblazers, celebrating their monumental contributions to the industry.


This year, the ceremony honored an illustrious group of icons: Bootsy Collins, a...
Essence •

EXCLUSIVE: New Short Film Details Black Excellence In The Rodeo | Essence

Texas proudly boasts the nation's largest rodeo, the renowned Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, a stage where the nation's premier athletes in the field, including skilled bull riders and calf wranglers, showcase their talent. However, within the historical context of Texas rodeos, the significant contributions of Black cowboys and cowhands have often been overshadowed, despite being instrumental in shaping the sport into the cultural phenomenon it is today.


The story begins in Crockett, Texas,...
Essence •

Bun B Took Us Across The Country For His All-American Takeover | Essence

Legendary Texas rapper Bun B is celebrated not only for his solo career but also as one half of the iconic hip-hop duo, Underground Kingz (UGK). His influence extends far beyond Texas, with the Pimp C coined “country rap tunes” sound reaching the masses. His prominence earned him a coveted performance slot at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo for Black Heritage night. It was here that he introduced his groundbreaking “Takeover” concerts, a one-night-only extravaganza that draws a constellation...
Essence •

Beauty And The Beat | Essence

From the melodies of Motown to the rhymes of hip-hop, Black music has always been a force in shaping cultural identity. But in a more subtle way, Black music has also left its mark on beauty. Iconic musicians have influenced not just what we listen to but also how we express ourselves aesthetically. Our hairstyles and makeup choices find inspiration in the music created by Black entertainers.

Black people and their melanin have long been a symbol of elegance; and Black performers and their be...
Essence •

The Women's Playbook | Essence

Black women have always been the blueprint. Whether making moves on the hardwood or signing million-dollar deals in the boardroom, they know how to make the magic happen. The embodiment of power and grace, they dazzle us at the helm of teams like the Las Vegas Aces, which under president Nikki Fargas secured its second consecutive WNBA Championship this year; Orr they show their expertise in the corporate world, like mom-ager Felicia Jones, who inked a five-year, $260 million contract for her so...
Essence •

ESSENCE At 53 | Essence

Launched in May 1970, ESSENCE is a living testament to Black progress and a beacon of Black empowerment – few publications can claim such a legacy. Now, as we stand on the cusp of our 54th year, it seems only fitting to reflect on the journey so far and to appreciate the foundation upon which this house was built. The genesis of ESSENCE was an alchemy of creativity, passion, and vision that birthed a magazine in which Black people saw ourselves in ways that were truly magical.


As OWN’s five-...
Essence •

Breaking The Fourth Wall: Real Housewives Of Potomac | Essence

Among all the “Real Housewives” franchises, Potomac gained its claim to fame through its two matriarchal anchors, Karen Huger and Gizelle Bryant. While, like many of its counterparts, Potomac is recognized for depicting the lifestyles and interpersonal dynamics of women, RHOP has become somewhat lackluster in offering a compelling glimpse into the lives of the ladies of Potomac, Maryland. However, beneath the surface lies a deeper issue. 


Now in its eighth season, the show has mostly stayed w...
Essence •

LaTavia Roberson Is Stepping Back Into The Spotlight Once Again | Essence

LaTavia Roberson’s career tells a parable of the music industry. The Houston native was perhaps a part of one of the greatest girl groups of all time. Founded in 1990, Roberson joined the ranks of Girl’s Tyme early on, and after a handful of group name changes (Cliché, The Dolls) and later, Destiny’s Child, she became an integral part of the group’s early success. While she didn’t know it then, she would become a part of a larger legacy, for both the city of Houston and pop culture at large. As...