A Look Inside the 2015 ESSENCE Festival Sponsor Awards/2016 Preview

ESSENCE.COM Oct, 28, 2015

1 of 13 Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for ESSENCE

On the Scene

Editor in Chief Vanessa De Luca speaks onstage welcoming the audience to the 2015 ESSENCE Festival Sponsor Awards/2016 Upfront at MIST Harlem in New York City.

2 of 13 Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for ESSENCE

On the Scene

Estelle at the 2015 ESSENCE Festival Sponsor Awards at MIST Harlem in New York City.

3 of 13 Getty Images

On the Scene

Awards displayed at the 2015 ESSENCE Festival Sponsor Awards at MIST Harlem in New York City.

4 of 13 Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for ESSENCE

On the Scene

Host Dana Blair, Entertainment Editor Yolanda Sangweni, Entertainment Director Cori Murray and The Daily Show correspondent Roy Wood Jr. played a live audience edition of Essence Live's 'Slayed or Shade' at the 2015 ESSENCE Festival Sponsor Awards at MIST Harlem in New York City.

5 of 13 Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for ESSENCE

On the Scene

Estelle had everyone in the crowd on their feet and singing along as she performed at the 2015 ESSENCE Festival Sponsor Awards at MIST Harlem in New York City.

6 of 13 Getty Images

On the Scene

Kierra Sheard took the audience to church as she performed her song "My Flaws" on stage at the 2015 ESSENCE Festival Sponsor Awards at MIST Harlem in New York City.

7 of 13 Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for ESSENCE

On the Scene

Our November cover on display at the 2015 ESSENCE Festival Sponsor Awards at MIST Harlem in New York City.

8 of 13 Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for ESSENCE

On the Scene

Kierra Sheard at the 2015 ESSENCE Festival Sponsor Awards at MIST Harlem in New York City.

9 of 13 Getty Images

On the Scene

President of ESSENCE Communications Michelle Ebanks poses with the Sponsor Honorees at the 2015 ESSENCE Festival Sponsor Awards at MIST Harlem in New York City.