ENTERTAINMENT
Essence Fest Debate: Has the event been “hijacked” by African leaders?
The Essence Festival is once again under scrutiny, as Black Americans remain divided over whether it has strayed from its core vision.
Noluthando Buthelezi
A viral TikTok video posted by @robsmithonline has sparked conversation after criticizing the event, labeling it "whack and washed." The video also pointed out that the festival's current CEO, Caroline Wanga, is Kenyan, while former CEO Richelieu Dennis hails from Liberia.
The TikToker noted the erasure of foundational Black American culture from the event, which was once central to the values of Black Americans but has now been replaced with Pan-Africanism. The video drew widespread support from users who shared similar views. Members of the Foundational Black American (FBA) movement—which represents African Americans tracing their ancestry to enslaved people in the U.S. and advocates for preserving their distinct cultural and historical identity—argued that the event, originally intended to celebrate Black American music, fashion, and entrepreneurship, has been overtaken by African influences and stripped of its original essence.
These criticisms emerge amid significant corporate sponsorship from Target, a brand recently under fire for wavering on its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitments. The festival has also faced allegations of marginalizing local Black-owned businesses. The growing presence of international performers and heavily commercialized spaces has fueled concerns that grassroots Black American voices are being increasingly sidelined.
On the other side of the debate, many have voiced strong support for the festival's current leadership. Supporters contend that the event is evolving to reflect a Pan-African vision—one that unites Black communities across the globe. Critics, however, remain firm in their stance, arguing that the growing inclusion of Africans and the broader diaspora dilutes the festival's original mission and cultural focus.
The ongoing debate—playing out both online and in public spaces—raises critical questions about whether a Pan-African event can authentically honor Black American heritage and history, and whether efforts toward unity risk overshadowing that legacy.
