HBO MAX @ ESSENCE FESTIVAL
2018 - 2024

2022: We brought Scene In Black – HBO Max’s Black Storytelling platform – to the Essence Festival in New Orleans for the very first time.

Throughout the weekend, we produced over six event experiences to celebrate Black stories and storytellers on HBO and HBO Max.

The festivities kicked off with a welcome mixer curated for creatives within the NOLA community, followed by an HBO Max POV Brunch & Panel spotlighting behind-the-scenes talent including Syreeta Singleton (Showrunner, "Rap Sh!t"), Rikki Hughes (Showrunner, "The Hype"), Edward Buckles Jr. (Director, "Katrina Babies"), Joe Guidry (Director, "Sweet Life").

We then held a panel with Hannah Diop (co-founder, Sienna Naturals) and celebrity hairstylist Felicia Leatherwood that featured a live hair demonstration.

On Saturday evening, guests were invited to an exclusive screening of Issa Rae’s new series "Rap Sh!t" along w/ a conversation with the stars and talent of the show – Issa Rae (Creator), Syreeta Singleton (Showrunner), Sadé Clacken Joseph (Director), Aida Osman ("Shawna"), and KaMillion ("Mia").

Closing out the night, we took over The Ace Hotel for a private "Rap Sh!t" party with music by DJ Kelly Green and performances by Kali and LightSkinKeisha.

The weekend wrapped up with a turned-up Creator's Brunch, in partnership with RNBHouseParty, that gathered creatives and tastemakers to enjoy food, brunch cocktails, and music.

2019: In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Essence Festival, HBO converted The Chicory in New Orleans, LA into ‘The HBO Loft’. The space served as a hub for a range of events and activations in support of various HBO programming. Throughout the weekend, 6 events were held for industry notables, press and VIP guests including Angela Rye, Lance Gross and Lena Waithe.