Essence Editor-at-Large Emil Wilbekin and ESSENCE VP of Sales & Marketing Karen Williams smile for the cameras at the 5th Annual Sponsor Summit dinner.
Guests enjoyed beautiful views of New York City at the Summit dinner, which took place at one of the city’s premiere locations, Bar Basque at Hotel Eventi.
Legendary soul singer Stephanie Mills dazzled the audience as she performed in a fiery red dress.
Stephanie Mills poses with ESSENCE’s Editor-in-Chief Constance C.R. White, General Manager Joy Collins, ESSENCE Editor-at-Large Emil Wilbekin and VP of Sales & Marketing Karen Williams.
New Orleans host committee members showed up to have a good time.
From left to right: Scott Hutcheson, Advisor to the Mayor for Cultural Economy, City of New Orleans; Glenda McKinley, president/creative director GMC+Company Advertising; Judy Reese Morse, Deputy Mayor and chief of staff, City of New Orleans; Joy Collins, ESSENCE General Manager; Mark C. Romig, CEO, NOTMC New Orleans Tourism; and Toni Rice, president, New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network.
Coca Cola Sr. Brand Activation Manager Stella Ringer poses with ESSENCE’s Editor-in-Chief Constance C.R. White, Stephanie Mills and Karen Williams.
Live Events Director Staci Hallmon-Bazzani sets the stage for the first annual Sponsor Awards Ceremony.
Corporate Accounts Director Patricia Aguayo, Coca Cola’s Stella Ringer, ESSENCE’s Director of Live Events Staci Hallmon-Bazzani smile for the camera.
Account Manager Julia Serrels, Ford’s Lynn Wilson, and ESSENCE’s Director of Live Events Staci Hallmon-Bazzani enjoy the festivities.
Corporate Accounts Director Kim Smith, U.S. Army’s Kay Lucas and Saundra Heath and Staci Hallmon-Bazzani, Director of ESSENCE Live Events.
ESSENCE Midwest Sales Director Paul Johnson, Kimberly Clark, State Farm’s
Cassandra Greenfield, and Director of ESSENCE Live Events Staci Hallmon-Bazzani.
ESSENCE Midwest Sales Director Paul Johnson, My Black is Beautiful’s Melody Harris, and Staci Hallmon-Bazzani, Director ESSENCE Live Events.
ESSENCE Western Region Advertising Director Hadyn Wright, Visa’s Erin Goodrich, and Director of ESSENCE Live Events Staci Hallmon-Bazzani.
Account Director Darryl Malone, Carmen Turner, Rob Jackson of McDonalds, Director of ESSENCE Live Events Staci Hallmon-Bazzani, and Tanicka Sanders of McDonalds.
CNN’s Keisha Taylor and Staci Hallmon-Bazzani, Director of ESSENCE Live Events.
ESSENCE Midwest Sales Director Paul Johnson, Coors Light’s Bridget Williams, and Staci Hallmon-Bazzani, Director ESSENCE Live Events.
TV One’s Peggy Byrd and Staci Hallmon-Bazzani, Director of ESSENCE Live Events.
ESSENCE Midwest Sales Director Paul Johnson, Walmart’s Sharonda Britton, and Staci Hallmon-Bazzani, Director of ESSENCE Live Events.
Summit-goers were treated to a surprise Block Party performance starring one of the “hardest working man in show business,” Dougie Fresh.
Dougie Fresh got the Summit audience off their feet as he performed his classic hits.
Dinner attendees enjoyed the sounds of live band Kafele Bandele Trio.
Emil Wilbekin interviews ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief Constance C.R. White giving the audience a taste of his new EMF franchise, Behind The Velvet Rope.
