Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary Takes Center Stage at ESSENCE Festival of Culture: Ms. Lauryn Hill, Megan Thee Stallion, Wizkid, Jermaine Dupri & More Set to Perform

March 29, 2023, NEW YORK --- "Now what you hear is not a test: The 2023 ESSENCE Festival of CultureTM, presented by Coca-Cola® is back in New Orleans for its 29th year and a celebration of 50 years of hip-hop.

From fresh fits to lyrical hits, the in-person and virtual experience will both explore and showcase how hip-hop has impacted every aspect of global culture through daytime programming and nightly shows. Ever a hallmark of ESSENCE Festival of CultureTM are the live evening performances, which feature some of the most award-winning hip-hop artists to rock the mic over the last 50 years including headliners Ms.Lauryn Hill, who will give a special performance of the 5x Grammy-winning album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” in recognition of its 25th anniversary, and 3x Grammy Award-winning artist, Megan TheeStallion. Doug E. Fresh will curate a special performance of hip-hop pioneers, and in honor of So So Def’s 30th anniversary, Grammy award-winning super producer and label founder, Jermaine Dupri, will deliver a special performance with some of the biggest names in hip-hop to come out of Atlanta. Other artists joining the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of CultureTM stage include Wizkid, Monica, Coco Jones and Kizz Daniel. Fans can look forward to laughs every night with evening hosts Deon Cole, Affion Crockett, Spice Adams and Janelle James, as well as sounds by DJ Spinderella, DJ Kid Capri and DJ Clark Kent. Additional talent and experiences will be announced soon.

After a 3 year hiatus, CURLFEST is back on July 15th at Randall’s Island! 

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 15, 2023--- "A pioneer in the natural beauty industry, CURLFEST continues to provide immersive safe spaces for Black folx & Black beauty to be celebrated, unconditionally. We are bringing the festival back in 2023, and Bouncing Back the right way! We’re taking it back to our roots and focusing on the reason we do this —WE DO THIS FOR US, OUR COMMUNITY! This year, we’ve cultivated an exclusive list of beauty brands, surprise performers, and we’re highlighting up to 100 small, black businesses to kick off our big return!"

The DREAM Project Announces their 10th Annual Benefit and Awards to Support High-quality Education for Children and Youth in the Dominican Republic

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 5, 2022 — Sueños 2022, The DREAM Project’s 10th Annual Benefit, serves as one of New York City’s premier events Thursday evening, celebrating the Global Dominican Community. This year, the event bridge the Dominican Republic with DREAM’s international network of support. Celebrities, educators and some prominent philanthropists will gather in Chelsea to help the organization fund and collect resources to expand their educational programs, impacting more than 15 disadvantaged communities and helping close the cycle of poverty in the Dominican Republic. More than ever, these resources are critical as DREAM is one of the few organizations offering education to more than 8,000 youth with no other source of learning. 

Angie Cruz, Scarlin Hernandez, Anna Nyakanna, Jaime Hector, Taye Diggs, a special virtual presentation by Leslie Grace and American Ballet Theatre’s Misty Copeland, Katherine Castro among the celebrities to attend Sueños 2022. This annual event empowers DREAM to provide transformative educational programs to youth in disadvantaged communities in the Dominican Republic.

Sueños will kicks off the night at 6:30pm with exclusive Brugal 1888 Ambassador Cocktail, hosted by DREAM Executive Board Members. This networking half hour will be hosted by Brugal 1888, with an opportunity to meet DREAM supporters. 

The main event began at 7:00pm, headlined by DREAM’s award ceremony recognizing their DREAMer of the Year, Change Making DREAMer of the Year and closed by no other than the sounds and rhythm of The DREAM Bachata Academy. Good company, great pairing of cocktails and food, and amazing music all came together once again for this magic night of giving back and celebrating the very best of the Dominican Republic.

This year’s personalities attending the event included: Actor Jaime Hector from HBO’s We Own This City and The Wire, Taye Diggs from All American, special virtual presentations by Leslie Grace from Batgirl and In the Heights American Ballet Theatre’s Misty Copeland, Living Colour’s Doug Wimbish, actress Katherine Castro, among others.

Through their attendance, guests became donors, creating the opportunity to make a difference while interacting online and networking with the DREAM Board, VIPs and Celebrities, the Sueños Invitation Committee, Co-Chairs and high profile Dominican American Community Leaders in an intimate and relaxed environment. 

All proceeds from Sueños will towards DREAM’s innovative education programs, impacting more than 8,000 Dominican youth in 15 different communities. DREAM is dependent on financial support to make a difference, so please buy your ticket, join us and become part of the DREAM family.

This year’s sponsors, helping DREAM create change and end the cycle of poverty in the Dominican Republic, include: JetBlue, Goya, Brugal, Phoenix Tower International and Beachwold Residential. To learn more about DREAM, make a gift or learn more about the annual benefit, please click here: www.dominicandream.org

Join Anna Nyakana LIVE this Sunday, May 1, 2022 on Hot 93.7 FM's show “Voices” hosted by DJ BiggMann. Tune in Live or stream the replay on the free audacy app to listen to what is set to be a transformational talk by this Award-Winning and Bestselling Author, Speaker, and Producer Anna Nyakana, creator of the Niyah Zuri movement for the youth! - Hot 93.7 FM Connecticut's Number One for Hip-Hop and R&B

MASHANTUCKET, CT - APRIL 16, 2022 — The public will get a chance to meet and ask questions of local and national celebrity guests about a variety of topics including business and branding, officials from Foxwoods Resort Casino have announced.

Tickets are now on sale for “Women Leading Industry” Celebrity Brunch Summit, which will start at 11:30 a.m. April 16 at the casino’s Premier Ballroom exclusively on Ticketmaster.com

The event will feature discussions regarding the technology, music and arts, and entertainment industries where participants can attend Q&A sessions and discussions about social impact, the importance of investing, and facing adversity. There will be a brunch buffet, live entertainment, and raffles.

Hosted by TV host and motivational teacher June Archer, the Summit will also feature the following guests:

• LaToya Tonodeo, Actress from hit TV series “Power Book II: Ghost”
• Angela Yee, Radio Personality and On-Air Talent from New York’s Power 105.1 “The Breakfast Club”
• Kathy Romero, Global Event Planner, Public Figure, Coach and Speaker
• Monifah, R&B Singer (“I Miss You,” “You,” “Touch It”)
• Gina Luari, Founder of “Place 2 Be” Restaurants
• Anna Nyakana, Award-Winning and Bestselling Author and Speaker, Niyah Zuri
• Olivia Bé Nguyen, Artist and Mental Health Artvocate
• Danni Fountain, Radio Personality and On-Air Talent from Connecticut’s Hot 93.7
• Kaeli Roselle, R&B Singer (“Hey Lover (Crush),” “Away”)

For more information on the Women Leading Industry Celebrity Brunch Summit, please visit Foxwoods’ website.