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Home · 2015 Essence Festival

#WCW: The Lovely Women of Essence Fest 2015

The women chosen to perform and empower at the 2015 ESSENCE Festival reflect what it means to be an ESSENCE woman.  They are multi-faceted and multi-talented.  They are fearless singers, actors, dancers, activists, entreprenuers, mothers, daughters and wives on their own missions to enlighten and uplift our world. We rounded them up as our #WomenCrushWednesday picks because each and every one of them deserve to shine!

Check it out!

By Gia Peppers · Updated October 27, 2020
01
Mary J. Blige

Set to headline ESSENCE Fest 2015, recording artist Mary J. Blige is pictured attending The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California.

Jeff Vespa/WireImage
02
India.Arie

India.Arie is set to return to the ESSENCE Fest stage in 2015, as well as appear in the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience.

Steve Granitz/WireImage
03
Erykah Badu

After rave reviews of her 2014 Essence Fest performance, Erykah Badu is back again for 2015.

Michael Rowe
04
Tonya Boyd Cannon

Multi-talented singer, songwriter, musician and New Orleanian Tonya Boyd Cannon is set to perform for the first time at ESSENCE Fest 2015.

Tonya Boyd Cannon Management
05
Avery*Sunshine

Avery*Sunshine, the beautiful voice behind the hit “Call on Me,” is set to bring her light to the 2015 ESSENCE Fest performance stage.

06
Andra Day

YouTube sensation turned Warner Brothers recording artist Andra Day used her talent and her social skills to make her dream come true.  With her immense talent, she’s sure to make you a believer at ESSENCE Fest 2015.

David Livingston/Getty Images
07
Goapele

2015 ESSENCE Fest performer Goapele arrives at the 6th Annual Essence Black Women in Music event at Avalon Hollywood in Hollywood, California.

Aaron J./PictureGroup
08
Luenell

Hope you are ready to laugh because Luenell is bringing her comedy chops to the ESSENCE Fest stage in 2015 for the first time ever.

Steven Lawton / Getty Images
09
Teedra Moses

Singer Teedra Moses is set to light up the stage with her vocals at ESSENCE Fest 2015.

Teedra Moses Management
10
Kelly Price Portrait

Kelly Price is set to perform and empower the masses at the 2015 ESSENCE Festival Empower U Workshops. 

Michael Rowe
11
Tweet

Tweet, who was spotted at the 2014 ESSENCE Fest, will be performing this year in New Orleans at #EF2015.

Walik Goshorn
12
Sevyn Streeter

After her debut performance at ESSENCE Fest 2014, “Don’t Kill the Fun” singer Sevyn Streeter will return to New Orleans in July to give the crowd her brand new music.

13
SZA

…SZA. The first lady of Kendrick’s camp, TDE has a unique style and sound herself. Check out her album, Z.

Getty Images/ Roger Kisby
14
Elle Varner

Elle Varner is set to bring her new edge to the 2015 ESSENCE Fest stage.

RCA Records
15
Esperanza Spalding

The beautiful and talented Esperanza Spalding will perform at ESSENCE Fest 2015 with her set, Esperanza Spalding Presents: EMILY’S D+EVOLUTION.

Didier Baverel/WireImage
16
Lianne La Havas

Award-winning British folk singer and multi-talented instrumentalist Lianne La Havas wooed Jill Scott during her tribute at the 2015 Black Women in Music event.  With her beauty, rich voice and acoustic stylings, she is sure to have the same effect on our ESSENCE Fest audience in July.

Getty Images/ Simone Joyner
17
Cynthia Bailey

Cynthia Bailey, model and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star, will share her expertise at the 2015 ESSENCE Fest.

Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
18
Kim Burrell

Our 2015 ESSENCE Fest All Star Gospel Tribute is all in honor of the great work, love and faith singer and pastor Kim Burrell gives to the world.  We love you, Kim!

Morris Robinson/ Getty
19
Erica Ford

Acclaimed philanthropist, entrepreneur, and community activist Erica Ford will be speaking alongside Deepak Chopra at the 2015 ESSENCE Fest.

Erica Ford PR
20
Sybrina Fulton

Sybrina Fulton, the mother of unarmed teen Trayvon Martin, has become one of the faces of the fight against police brutality and community injustice.  She will share her story and perspective during the 2015 ESSENCE Empowerment Experience.

21
Grace Gibson & Lynn Whitfield

Grace Gibson & Lynn Whitfield are a mother daughter duo ready to take the entertainment industry by storm.  Check them out as they speak at ESSENCE Fest 2015.

Grace Gibson & Lynn Whitfield Management
22
Claudia Jordan

The Real Housewives of Atlanta star will be making her first ESSENCE Festival debut as a speaker during the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience.

Prince Williams/ Getty Images
23
Jessica Reedy

Jessica Reedy is set to perform at ESSENCE Fest 2015 during our highly anticipated All-Star tribute, as well.

Royce DeGrie/Getty Images
24
Jazmine Sullivan

“Reality Show” singer Jazmine Sullivan will perform in the ESSENCE All Star Gospel Tribute to Kim Burrell.

Michael Rowe
25
Iyanla Vanzant

Iyanla Vanzant herself will be ready to “Fix Your Life” at the 2015 ESSENCE Fest.  Bring tissue, just in case.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
26
Patrice Washington

America’s Money Maven, Patrice C. Washington, will help you with your finances at ESSENCE Fest 2015.

Patrice Washington Management
27
Alice Randall & Caroline Randall Williams

This mother and daughter duo co-authors books and will appear at the 2015 ESSENCE Fest.  Get ready to meet Alice Randall & Caroline Randall Williams!

Alice Randall & Caroline Randall Williams Management
28
Anita Wilson

2015 ESSENCE Fest performer Anita Wilson arrives at the 6th Annual Essence Black Women in Music event at Avalon Hollywood in Hollywood, California.

Aaron J./PictureGroup
29
Kandi Burruss Headshot

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss will be sharing her tips on how to be the ultimate boss at the 2015 ESSENCE Fest.

Craig Barritt/Getty Images
30
Melinda F. Emerson

Melinda F. Emerson, the “SmallBizLady” herself, will give you her best tips on creating your own success.

Hannah Saleh
31
Tana Gilmore & Kelli Fisher

Tana Gilmore & Kelli Fisher, the famed life coach & matchmaking duo, will be on hand at ESSENCE Fest 2015 to give you great advice on life and love.

Tana Gilmore & Kelli Fisher PR
32
Lynnette Khalfani Fox

Lynnette Khalfani Fox is known as the MoneyCoach and in July, she will be able to help you with your own obstacles and monetary goals at the ESSENCE Fest Empower U Money workshop.

Lynnette Khalfani Fox Management
33
Tonya Lewis Lee

Tonya Lewis Lee is an author, award-winning producer and Chief Creator of ToniK Productions.  She’ll be at ESSENCE Fest 2015 on the Empower U stage.

34
Dr. Cheruba Parker

OBGYN Dr. Cheruba Parker, who specializes in fibroids, will help the women of ESSENCE Fest Empower U take control of their health along with Cynthia Bailey and more.

Courtesy ofnDr. Cheruba Parker
35
Sarah Jakes

After taking this gorgeous photo at the 2014 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon, we invited Sarah Jakes and her husband Touré Roberts to come speak at ESSENCE Fest 2015.

Michael Rowe
36
Tanisha Sykes
Tanisha Sykes
37
Tanika Gray Valbrun

Georgia native, CNN News Editor and founder of The White Dress Project, Tanika Gray Valbrun will offer inspiration at the 2015 ESSENCE Fest.

Tanika Gray Valbrun PR
38
Fawn Weaver

Fawn Weaver is slated to speak at the ESSENCE Festival 2015.

Fawn Weaver PR

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