01
Niecy Nash
Michael Rowe
02
Jussie Smollett
03
Ella Mai
04
Luke James
05
Woody McClain
06
Ro James
Ro James performed at ESSENCE Festival in 2017.
07
Y’lan Noel and Yvonne Orji
Michael Rowe Photography
08
The Cast of “Power”
09
Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker
10
Ruth Carter
Carter earned a nomination in Costume Design for Black Panther.
11
Boris Kodjoe
12
Marsha Ambrosius
Michael Rowe Photography
13
Mary J. Blige
14
Regina Hall
15
Amandla Stenberg
16
The Cast Of ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ Leave Their Mark
Months before the Oscar-worthy film hit theaters, the talented cast of and director of the If Beale Street Could Talk film adaption stopped by ESSENCE Fest to dish on filming, the extraordinary Black love story within the movie and much more.
17
Kiki Layne
18
Regina King
19
Stephan James
20
Pell
21
Ne-Yo
22
Leela James and Kim Cole
23
Omar
24
Erinn
25
Barry Jenkins – Best Screenplay
Jenkins was nominated for his adaptation of James Baldwin’s If Beale Street Could Talk.
26
Robin Thede
