DNC Announces Return of ESSENCE Cultural Festival With Major Black Voter Engagement Initiative – Essence

As part of its ongoing efforts to mobilize Black voters, the Democratic Party has announced its participation in the ESSENCE Cultural Festival in New Orleans for the third consecutive year. From July 4-7, Democrats will host a “Seat at the Table” booth at ESSENCE, offering attendees the opportunity to interact directly with party representatives at the nation’s largest Black cultural and music event.

The booth will feature one-on-one discussion stations, a photo booth, and opportunities for attendees to learn more about the Democratic Party’s initiatives on key issues and how they can get involved. This collaboration, involving the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), CBCPAC, and Rolling Sea Action Fund, aims to highlight Democrats’ commitment to Black voters.

“Black voters, and particularly Black women, are the heartbeat of the Democratic Party – and we are not taking their support for granted in 2024. Since the beginning of this campaign, we have been focused on meeting people where they are,” said Brencia Berry, the DNC’s national political director.

The Essence of Culture festival celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and has consistently attracted the biggest names in music and entertainment to the city. Over its three decades of existence, it has also created and curated other unique spaces, including health and wellness, business and beauty, and has been a hub for political engagement.

“The political importance of the festival has grown over the years, with many prominent figures recognizing it as a key platform to connect with Black voters, particularly Black women. Past speakers include Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and ‘Kamala Harris’ when she was still Vice President,” said Caroline Wanga, President and CEO of ESSENCE Ventures.

“As we look ahead to the 2024 election, Essence Festival takes on even greater significance. It provides the Biden/Harris campaign with a unique opportunity to engage directly with a critical voting demographic in an environment that is authentic, commemorative, safe, and conducive to Black culture and achievement. Vice President Harris’ participation in the Chief to Chief franchise this year sends a clear message about the campaign’s priorities and its recognition of the power of Black women voters,” Wanga added.

“Additionally, the festival comes as the election season begins to heat up, making it an ideal springboard to amplify how campaign messages and initiatives align with voters’ expectations and priorities. It sets the tone for the relationship between candidates and voters as the campaign continues.”

The “Seat at the Table” booth will highlight the accomplishments of President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democratic leaders, including helping “Black entrepreneurs build businesses at the fastest pace in 30 years, creating 2.5 million jobs for Black workers, achieving record low unemployment and canceling student debt for nearly five million Americans.”

According to the ESSENCE/Black Women’s Roundtable 2024 Power of the Sister Vote poll, Black women across the country are concerned about the economy, inflation, and reducing gun violence. Heading into this year’s presidential election, 86% of Black women want to see a lower cost of living and 88% support reproductive freedom.

In the 2020 presidential election, Biden received 92% of the Black vote, compared to 8% for Trump. However, current national polls indicate that the president still has a long way to go to reach the same level of support next November. The latest data from the Pew Research Center shows that 77% of Black voters currently prefer Biden, while 18% support Trump.

Democratic leaders say they are working to build and maintain meaningful community connections with Black voters, which is why they continue to go out and mobilize voters during the ESSENCE festival. “We need to be consistent in our efforts to reach and mobilize Black voters, who are critical to our efforts to retake the House majority,” said Tasha Cole, DCCC’s deputy executive director for stakeholder engagement.

CBCPAC Director of Partnerships Cara Johnston echoed those sentiments and the commitment to community: “We are committed to serving Black Americans and we know we must earn the right to vote in every election.”

Last year, the “Seat at the Table” booth attracted over 1,500 visitors, demonstrating the importance of the ESSENCE Culture Festival as a vital platform for political engagement.

The ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola® will take place July 4-7. For more information and festival updates, visit our website and follow us on social media @ESSENCEFest on X, Facebook and Instagram.