TaylorMag Recap: Essence Festival 2025 — Day 1 Highlights
Day one of Essence Festival 2025 was nothing short of powerful, soul-stirring, and unapologetically Black. As press pass holders and culture catchers, the TaylorMag team hit the ground running—connecting with the crowd, engaging in meaningful interviews (coming soon in our Essence Recap Issue), and soaking up the energy that only Essence can deliver.
Conversations That Cut Deep: Black Love Uncut
Hosted by Tonight’s Conversation Ace Metaphor, Black Love Uncut was an open, unfiltered dive into the complexities of modern relationships. With panelists like Toya Johnson-Rushing, Tyler Lepley (starring in Ruth and Boaz, dropping Sept 26 on Netflix), JustMikeThePoet and The Trill AC, the conversation kept it real.
Toya Johnson-Rushing tackled the distortion of love expectations thanks to social media, urging people to stop comparing and start healing.
Tyler Lepley shared a hard truth: “Relationships have become transactional.” His mic-drop moment? “Your partner’s role is maintenance, not construction.”
JustMikeThePoet served a reality check: “Everyone says there’s pee in the dating pool—but many are the pee.”
Trill AC emphasized the need for healing: “Once you get to know yourself, dating becomes a bit easier.”
The crowd was nodding, clapping, and snapping as the panel peeled back layers of romantic trauma, vulnerability, and personal accountability. As Toya summed up:
“Be their peace. Listen to them. Make them comfortable enough to tell you the truth.”
Her Time to Shine: Women in Sports
In a panel moderated by Ashley Mackey, powerhouses Monica McNutt and Ari Chambers reminded the world that women in sports are not a trend—they are the future. With WNBA love in the air, Monica’s rally cry was simple:
“Pick a city and pull up.”
The panel unpacked how women’s sports receive less than 1% of global sports coverage compared to men. The message? There’s untapped potential and a ripe opportunity for media, brands, and fans to step up and invest.
Legacy, Hustle, and Ownership with Master P
The legendary Master P took the stage with a powerful message:
“We started with nothing… God is real. The journey has been amazing.”
He dropped gems on ownership, the importance of uplifting Black women (who are the most educated yet underrepresented in Fortune 500 leadership), and his excitement about coaching at the University of New Orleans this fall.
His reminder to aspiring entrepreneurs?
“Faith without work is dead. Don’t block your blessing.”
Also featured:
Sereta, founder of Operation Restoration, shared sobering facts: Black women returning from incarceration often go five years without employment. Her mission? Change that.
Spectacular from Pretty Ricky brought the energy and the inspiration, highlighting the power of mentorship and moving with urgency:“Success loves speed. Operate in your overflow.”
Derwin, an epoxy flooring entrepreneur, inspired creatives to build empires with their hands.
Zachary Hutton, co-founder of Jack Huston Sunglasses, reminded us to start where we are but never stay there.
TaylorMag On the Scene
Between sessions, we hit the crowd to interview festival-goers on what Essence means to them, capturing the joy, pride, and spiritual charge that filled the air. These stories will be featured in our Essence Recap Print Issue—raw, heartfelt, and unforgettable.
Final Vibes
From discussions on love, healing, and ownership to celebrating Black women in sports and business, Day 1 of Essence Festival proved why it’s more than an event—it’s a cultural reset.
As Master P said:
“Some people are seasonal. Some are forever. I want to be successful as bad as I want to breathe.”
Stay tuned for our full Essence Recap Issue and catch exclusive behind-the-scenes on our socials.
We outside. We Essence. We TaylorMag and We’re #MadeLikeThis
