July 8th 2024.
The Essence Festival of Culture, presented by Coca-Cola, has been a long-standing tradition of celebrating and empowering Black women. As the festival marked its 30th year, Coca-Cola joined in the festivities by releasing a special edition bottle and making generous donations to non-profit organizations.
Since 1995, Coca-Cola has been a major sponsor of the Essence Fest, providing immersive panels, engaging activities, and unforgettable performances that bring together Black women and men from all over the country. This year was no different, with the added celebration of the festival's milestone anniversary.
Coca-Cola's commitment to uplifting the voices of Black women is evident through its partnership with Essence. Charece Williams Gee, a vice president at the company, expressed their dedication in a statement, saying, "The Coca-Cola Company is proud to be a part of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture, a moment that celebrates and empowers The Black Woman, who is the CEO of her community." The festival allows Coca-Cola to not only support and honor the profound impact and cultural contributions of Black women but also foster a sense of community through meaningful conversations, unforgettable experiences, and empowering messages.
During the four-day event, Coca-Cola hosted various dialogues and movement sessions at their main booth. They also took the opportunity to introduce the cast of their online series, "If Not For My Girls," in collaboration with Essence. The cast spoke about the show's themes of friendship and solidarity among Black women, giving the audience a sneak peek of what to expect from the upcoming sixth season.
In addition to its presence at the festival, Coca-Cola also gave back to the community of New Orleans by donating up to $30,000 to Vincent's Vault Food Pantry. This non-profit organization focuses on combating food insecurity, particularly among students at the Xavier University of Louisiana, an HBCU.
The Coca-Cola Kickback Kitchen was another highlight of the festival, where guests could witness cooking demonstrations and learn new recipes. And of course, Coca-Cola provided refreshments with their Smartwater and Simply hydration stations, keeping everyone hydrated and energized.
Through its continued support of Essence Fest, Coca-Cola strives to promote diversity, creativity, and Black excellence. This year's festival was a testament to their dedication to uplifting and empowering Black women and their contributions to society.
As the festival came to an end, many were left inspired and motivated by the powerful voices and performances that graced the stages. From Kamala Harris and Serena Williams to the cast of "If Not For My Girls," the Essence Festival of Culture proved once again to be a celebration of Black excellence and a platform for change.
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