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ESSENCE Communications CEO Richelieu Dennis Steps Down Amidst Crisis

July 1, 2020 ItsHipHop Leave a comment

Following The Truth About Essence Medium story penned by anonymous women writers, CEO of Essence Communications, Richelieu Dennis has stepped down.

In the Medium piece, the writers called for the resignation of Dennis, along with other key executives. The writers called on major sponsors to see the resignation go through.

Dennis is the founder of Shea Moisture and Sundial Brands and purchased the magazine from TIME in 2018, which made the publication and the parent company 100% Black-owned.

The statement, issued on Tuesday, stated Dennis will step down, a review of business practices was underway and interim CEO will be Carolina Wanga.

“Out of an abundance of caution and an unwavering commitment to transparency, ESSENCE is in the process of hiring law firms and other independent external experts to assess and review the company’s policies and practices and conduct comprehensive employee interviews as well as independently review any harassment, discrimination, retaliation or other behaviors or issues that may adversely impact workplace culture.”

BREAKING NEWS: @Essence Communications just dropped a statement in my in inbox announcing that Carolina Wanga will step as interim CEO of the company, replacing Richlieu Dennis, who owns the magazine. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/DqpRBz5lOY

— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 1, 2020

In The Truth About Essence, Dennis’ leadership is described as a “surface-level commitment to Black women is driven by greed and a debaucherous sexual appetite.” Allegations included a history of sleeping with women on the Sundial staff and open sexual harassment at private company events.

ESSENCE Communications CEO Michelle Ebanks, who stepped down this past March, was accused of telling employees they could leave over pay raises. Additional allegations against the leadership included intimidation and fear of staff members getting pregnant as it could potentially cost them their positions.

In response, ESSENCE denied the accusations in an online official statement.

“When faced with challenging moments, we believe that truth and clarity are foremost, and after taking the time to connect with our teams and engage with each other, we want to be very clear about one thing,” the statement read. “It is extremely important to us that we foster a safe, transparent and respectful workspace for everyone and that we expect that from everyone – not just those who work for us, but also those who work with us.”

In the statement announce Dennis’ decision, ESSENCE states they “remain committed to fostering a safe, transparent and respectful workplace for everyone.”

The post ESSENCE Communications CEO Richelieu Dennis Steps Down Amidst Crisis appeared first on The Source.

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Essence Fest 2020 Cancelled After New Orleans Mayor Proposes Ban On Large Events

April 16, 2020 ItsHipHop Leave a comment

Summer Of OWN Essence Fest Cocktail Party

Source: Peter Forest / Getty

The 2020 Essence Fest has been canceled after the Mayor of New Orleans decided to propose an extended ban on large events to combat the spread of COVID-19.

On Wednesday (Apr 15) Essence festival organizers announced that the iconic festival would be canceled for this year after city officials announced and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell recommended that no large events take place in the city for the remainder of the year.

“After continued monitoring of the evolving developments in the COVID-19 global pandemic and remaining in close contact and collaboration with our partners in the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana, we are confirming today that we will no longer move forward with the 2020 ESSENCE Festival of Culture live experience—and look forward to returning to New Orleans in 2021,” festival organizers said.

Although visitors won’t be able to experience the historic festival in person organizers announced that the four-day music and wellness event will be completely virtual for the first time ever over July Fourth weekend. The multi-day extravaganza doubles as a benefit celebration and will extend the festival experience to communities around the globe offering up interactive and “live opportunities to be inspired,” and entertained. The virtual festival will be coupled with a benefit celebration honoring the Big Easy, which has been home to the Essence Festival for 26 years.

“ESSENCE and the City of New Orleans have a partnership that thrives in good times and is made even stronger in challenging times,” said Mayor Cantrell. “We share an uncompromised commitment to the best interest of our local community and our tourist community, and the priorities right now are providing support to those who have been affected by the disproportionate impact of the pandemic here in New Orleans and ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to our great city in 2021 for the return of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture and to once again helping to create such an unmatched and magical experience.”

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After continued monitoring of the evolving developments in the COVID-19 global pandemic and in collaboration with our partners in the City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana, ESSENCE will no longer move forward with the 2020 ESSENCE Festival of Culture live experience. We look forward to returning to New Orleans in 2021. Tickets sold for the 2020 Festival will be honored in 2021 and full refunds are also available. We are excited to now announce an ‘ESSENCE Benefit Series to Fight COVID-19’ will raise money and provide support for businesses and organizations in Black communities across the country. We will host the first-ever ESSENCE Festival of Culture: The Virtual Edition taking place over July 4th weekend as a multi-day experience and benefit celebration linked to this effort. The virtual Festival will be a benefit celebration in honor and support of the City of New Orleans, which has been an incredible partner over the Festival’s 26 years and continues to be especially hard hit during this crisis. Click our bio link for the full statement from ESSENCE. #EssenceFest

A post shared by ESSENCE Festival (@essencefest) on Apr 15, 2020 at 7:45am PDT

Essence also responded to the decision with full support, acknowledging that safety has always been a priority of Essence and organizers, before adding that refunds will be available for those who purchased their tickets early and don’t wish to transfer it to 2021’s festival.

“From the beginning, we have shared that the health, safety, and well-being of our Festival-goers, local citizens and others who contribute to making the Festival such a unique experience were our top concerns and would be the foremost considerations in our decision-making,” organizers said in a statement. “While we initially hoped that a reschedule from our July 2020 dates to later in the fall would be feasible, current information and projections by public health officials and agencies have made it increasingly clear that any large-scale events this year could potentially and unnecessarily put attendees and surrounding communities at risk. So, what would have typically been a very difficult decision for us was not because people come first, and we will continue to do everything that we can to serve our community during this time. We will honor all tickets sold for the 2020 Festival in 2021 and will also offer full refunds.”

In addition to the virtual event, ESSENCE created the ESSENCE of the Matter: COVID-19’s Impact on Black America, a digital platform to provide Black women and communities with the tools, information, resources, solutions, inspiration, and empowerment needed to address the multitude of issues arising from this pandemic; with the first-ever virtual ESSENCE Wellness House and ESSENCE CARES Act information sessions scheduled for Friday, April 24.

For more information about ESSENCE of the Matter, visit here.

Source: HipHopWired.com

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Michelle Ebanks Leaves Her Position as CEO at Essence Communications; Ending her Almost 20 Years with The Women’s Magazine

March 12, 2020 ItsHipHop Leave a comment

On Monday, Essence Communications announced to the world that by the end of the month, Michelle Ebanks will transition out of her role as CEO.

Ebanks served as the top executive at America’s leading Black woman center magazine and its enterprises since 2018. She cut her teeth at the mag in 2001 and worked hard climbing its corporate ladder for almost 20 years, working various positions and closing deals that would shift the trajectory of the publications.

The Time Inc.’s acquisition of the company was executed under her leadership and vision, as well as the 2018 Sundial Brands sale. Her goal was to keep the historic title afloat and she worked her #BlackGirlMagic to make sure that 50-year media company had the proper footing to go another 50 more.

“When I joined Essence, I could not have imagined this extraordinary journey and how it would transform me as a person and as a leader,” said Ebanks told Business Wire. “I will always be grateful for the opportunity, but most importantly for the impact that Essence continues to have on tens of millions of Black women globally. Since I began, my priority has been to position Essence for its next phase, and we’ve done that. The brand has been reestablished as 100% Black-owned and is well-positioned for continued success through what is a remarkable time of transformation and reinvention.”

In addition to the aforementioned sales, Ebanks pushed the annual Essence Festival into the must go to the epicenter of entertainment and community for not only Black women but the entirety of the nation. It is no surprise that the city of New Orleans reports that this festival has been instrumental in pumping much need economic subsidies into the city after Hurrican Katrina. a

“What we observe is a community of women who are joyful and optimistic and who attend the Essence Festival to, as Susan L. Taylor once said so eloquently…‘see each other and be with each other,’” said Ebanks. “Today, the Essence woman is a leader, achiever, and influencer; both politically and economically. She is driving the growth trends in business ownership and social activism and finds time to celebrate her beauty and embrace her culture. At the Essence Festival, we speak to her many passions… engaging her mind and her spirit.”

Essence Communications is currently looking for her new CEO. For now, Essence Ventures founder & chairman Richelieu Dennis will oversee the continued evolution of the company.

“There aren’t enough words to express the gratitude, recognition and admiration that we have for everything Michelle has brought to ESSENCE over nearly 20 years—her vision, her leadership, her advocacy, and her determination,” said Dennis in a statement. “We value her commitment to uplifting and empowering our community, as well as to building a successful business with an unmatched team of women executives who are leading the way. We are excited to continue to work alongside her on the board of Essence Ventures as we open new opportunities, access, expertise and possibilities for Black women and people of color in the most engaging, authentic and innovative ways possible. This is only the beginning.”

The post Michelle Ebanks Leaves Her Position as CEO at Essence Communications; Ending her Almost 20 Years with The Women’s Magazine appeared first on The Source.

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Look: Dapper Dan Celebrates Historic All-Black Miss America, Miss USA + Miss Teen Queens – “First Time In History”

October 5, 2019 ItsHipHop Leave a comment

ESSENCE

Fashion icon Dapper Dan is proud-proud right now. The Harlem clothing designer legend hit up Instagram this weekend to reveal his involvement in dressing Miss America, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA in signature Gucci for a historic ESSENCE magazine cover. Look below!

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Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, and Miss America. Three Black beauty queens reigning supreme! Go behind-the-scenes of ESSENCE's digital cover shoot with @CheslieKryst, @NiaImaniFranklin, and @Kalieghgarris.

A post shared by ESSENCE (@essence) on Oct 3, 2019 at 1:46pm PDT

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Diddy Opens Up About Days Leading Up to Kim Porter’s Passing

April 24, 2019 ItsHipHop Leave a comment

Diddy graced the cover of Essence’s Mother’s Day issue with all six of his children as a tribute to the late mother of three of his children.

The mogul shared how his life changed going from a part-time dad to a full-time dad in wake of Kim Porter’s shocking death, which sent shock waves through the Hip Hop community.

Before talking about the change in his family dynamic, the New York native told us about how he felt the moment he learned she passed.

“She was unforgettable. That day turned my world upside down. Three days before she passed, she wasn’t feeling well. She had the flu, and she sent the kids over to my house so they wouldn’t get sick,” he said. “One night I was checking on her, and she was like, ‘Puffy, take care of my babies.’ She actually said that to me before she died.”

Diddy told the magazine that he prioritizes family time way more now that Kim is gone, and he thanks her for preparing him for this moment.

“Before this, I was a part-time father, you know? My family was always first, but there are countless times when I chose work over everything else,” he said. “But every day I can hear her telling me to go and spend some time with the kids and make sure everybody’s all right, like she would do. I’m just a lot more present, and, most important, now my kids come before anything else in my life.”

The Bad Boys CEO recently expressed regret about never marrying her on Instagram after he was called out for giving her flowers when she wasn’t able to smell them. “I was scared,” he wrote on Instagram. “I wasn’t ready and that’s it. I’m ready now, but it’s too late. Don’t be like me.”

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Essence Fest 2020 Cancelled After New Orleans Mayor Proposes Ban On Large Events

Look: Dapper Dan Celebrates Historic All-Black Miss America, Miss USA + Miss Teen Queens – “First Time In History”

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