The Walt Disney Company has announced that it will be the exclusive entertainment sponsor of the 2022 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, with leading brands to feature exclusive screenings, talent, and more.
What’s Happening:
- Today, The Walt Disney Company announced it will be the exclusive entertainment sponsor of the 2022 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola. This year’s celebration kicks off with the Road to ESSENCE Festival with select activations taking place in Los Angeles on June 4, Washington, D.C., on June 11, and Chicago on June 19. It culminates with ESSENCE Fest, which takes place in person in New Orleans and virtually June 30-July 3, 2022.
- ESSENCE Fest is one of the largest festivals in the country, drawing more than 500,000 attendees annually over the July Fourth weekend. ESSENCE Communications, Inc. is the leading media, technology and commerce company serving Black women and communities.
- This year, The Walt Disney Company invites Festival attendees to experience “The Power of Joy” and the many ways Black joy reflects itself at Disney and the communities it touches. Fans will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in culture-defining storytelling, engage in unforgettable entertainment, interact with some of today’s biggest stars and enjoy culinary experiences.
- As the exclusive entertainment sponsor, Disney will bring talent, exclusive screenings and experiences from across the Company’s iconic brands and touchpoints, including ABC, ABC News, Disney Branded Television, Disney Cruise Line, Disney+, Disney Studios Content, Disney Television Studios, Disneyland Resort, ESPN, Freeform, FX, Hulu, Marvel Studios, National Geographic, Onyx Collective, Pixar and Walt Disney World Resort. Specific programming, experiences and talent appearances will be announced at a later date.
- Already announced performances include Kevin Hart, Nicki Minaj, Janet Jackson and New Edition. Anyone can register to attend virtually and in person.
- Just yesterday, Disney Legend (and voice of Princess Tiana) Anika Noni Rose mentioned a possible opening date for the long-awaited Splash Mountain retheme into a The Princess and the Frog themed attraction, prompting Disney to reveal more formal announcements at the ESSENCE festival in New Orleans.
What They’re Saying:
- Latondra Newton, senior vice president and chief diversity officer of The Walt Disney Company: “The Walt Disney Company is proud to serve as the exclusive entertainment sponsor at the premier celebration of Black culture. ESSENCE Fest affirms and amplifies the Black excellence, creativity and innovation that is reflected in our people, storytelling and experiences.”
- Jill Estorino, president and managing director of Disney Parks International: “ESSENCE Fest is the pinnacle of Black cultural celebration and reverence, and we’re excited to expand our decade long partnership. When we talk about this year’s Festival, we look forward to being able to say two things—The Walt Disney Company showed up in full to super-serve Black audiences, and we strengthened the foundation for partnership with ESSENCE for years to come.”
- Pauline Malcolm-Thornton, chief revenue officer, Essence Ventures: “At ESSENCE we believe in building strategic engagements with our partners that drive significant value and put them authentically at the intersection of the culture that our audience creates and influences every single day. We are thrilled to deepen our relationship and expand upon our journey with Disney to deliver and celebrate our theme of Black joy for ESSENCE Fest and beyond.”