After a two-year hiatus, @essencefest announced its return to New Orleans! 🎊 We partnered with @hbo to bring @sceneinblack to NOLA for the first time ever, producing six experiences celebrating Black stories and storytellers on @hbo and @hbomax. From a welcome mixer curated by Edward Buckles Jr. (@e.buckles), director of the upcoming @katrinababiesfilm, to an @hbomax POV Seated Brunch and Panel spotlighting behind the scenes talent: Syreeta Singleton (@reetafajita), Rikki Hughes (@msrikki), Edward Buckles Jr. (@e.buckles) and Joe Guidry (@cloaq), moderated by Danyel Smith (@danamo), to a special Curls & Convo w/ Sienna Naturals (@siennanaturals) co-founder Hannah Diop (@hannahdiop) and celebrity hairstylist Felicia Leatherwood (@lovingyourhair), Scene in Black was nothing short of a celebration of black joy! Saturday evening, guests were transported to the 305 for an exclusive screening of Issa Rae’s new series Rap Sh!t (@rapshitonmax) + a panel conversation with Syreeta Singleton (reetafajita), Sade Clacken Joseph (@sadecjoseph), Aida Osman (@shutupaida) and KaMillion (@itskamillon), moderated by Gia Peppers (@giapeppers). To close the night, @sceneinblack welcomed guests to the Ace Hotel for a private party with special performances by Light Skin Keisha (@lightskinkeisha) and Kali (@kaliii), and a set by DJ Kelly Green (@djkellygreen). @sceneinblack closed out Essence Fest weekend with a Creators Brunch, partnering with RnB House Party (@rnbhouseparty) to gather creatives to eat, dance and drink the afternoon away and cement their weekend with one last hurrah! Throughout the entire weekend, guests had the opportunity to enjoy the @sceneinblack photo moments (both the entry wall and photo booth) as well as specialty cocktails and hand-picked bites all with a special New Orleans flair. Follow @sceneinblack to see what they have in store next! #SceneinBlack #HBOMax #HBOMaxPOV #RapShit #KatrinaBabies #EssenceFest #SiennaNaturals #RNBHouseParty