By Joslyn Winkfield ·
01
Oprah Winfrey and Ava Duvernay

Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey hug on the empowerment stage during the 2016 ESSENCE Festival.

Paras Griffin/Getty Images
02
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey makes a grand entrance during the 2016 2016 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca Cola.
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for 2016 Essence Festival
03
Andra Day
Andra Day hangs backstage at the 2016 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca Cola.
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for 2016 Essence Festival
04
Phaedra Parks
Phaedra Parks enjoys the Superdome performances during the 2016 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca Cola
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for 2016 Essence Festival
05
Soledad O’Brien and Misty Copeland
Soledad O’Brien and Misty Copeland speak onstage during the 2016 ESSENCE Festival.
Paras Griffin
06
Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks speaks onstage during the 2016 ESSENCE Festival presented By Coca-Cola.

Paras Griffin/Getty Images
07
Estelle
Estelle poses for a photo backstage during the 2016 ESSENCE Festival .
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images
08
Omari Hardwick
Omari Hardwick attends a screening of “Queen Sugar” at Theaters in New Orleans.
Josh Brasted/Getty Images for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
09
Grace Gibson
Grace Gibson sings onstage during the 2016 ESSENCE Festival presented By Coca-Cola in New Orleans.
y Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2016 Essence Festival
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10
Michelle Ebanks, Oprah Winfrey, and Vanessa K. De Luca
Michelle Ebanks, Oprah Winfrey, and Vanessa K. De Luca backstage during the 2016 ESSENCE Festival.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 1026 ESSENCE Festival.
11
Ta’Rhonda Jones and Serayah McNeill
Ta’Rhonda Jones and Serayah McNeill pose for a pic backstage during the 2016 ESSENCE Festival
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE Festival
12
Tai Beauchamp
Tai Beauchamp attends a screening of “Queen Sugar” at Theaters in New Orleans.
Josh Brasted/Getty Images for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
13
Common
Common attends a screening of “Queen Sugar” at Theaters in New Orleans.
Josh Brasted/Getty Images for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
14
Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae rocks the stage during the 2016 ESSENCE Festival.
JJJ
15
Jeremih
Jeremih rocks the stage during the 2016 ESSENCE Festival.
Greg Noire
16
Tink
Rising rapstress and songstress Tink also rocked the ESSENCE Festival stage in 2016.
David Willems
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Common
Common rocks the stage during the 2016 ESSENCE Festival.
Greg Noire
18
Charlie Wilson
Charlie Wilson rocks the stage during the 2016 ESSENCE Festival.
Amy Harris/Invision/AP
19
Mariah Carey and Jermaine Dupri
Mariah Carey and Jermaine Dupri rock the stage during the 2016 ESSENCE Festival.
Bennett Raglin