The ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola is elevating its creative vision for 2026, officially naming Teyana Taylor as its first-ever Chief Curator as announced today 3/18in official press release. Set to take place July 3–5 in New Orleans, the festival introduces this newly created role as part of its continued evolution—placing cultural storytelling and intentional programming at the forefront.
An Oscar- and GRAMMY-nominated artist and Golden Globe winner, Taylor steps into the position alongside her creative collective, The Aunties, bringing a dynamic lens rooted in Black culture, feminine power, and bold storytelling. Known for her work as a multi-hyphenate artist and creative director, she now expands her influence by shaping experiences across the festival’s most celebrated stages and spaces.
Her appointment builds on ESSENCE’s curatorial model introduced in 2025, reinforcing a commitment to programming that reflects the depth and diversity of its community. Through The Aunties—her company founded in 2017—Taylor has championed genre-defying creativity while protecting artists’ vision, a philosophy she will now bring to the festival’s cultural moments.
“ESSENCE has always been more than a festival, it is a reunion,” Taylor shared. “It is the place where Black women see themselves reflected at full scale: in their joy, in their genius, and in their magic… I’m a true Auntie—the one in your corner, cheering you on… making sure every room you walk into knows you belong there.”
Working closely with ESSENCE’s programming and talent teams, Taylor and The Aunties will curate everything from mainstage performances to intimate conversations and community activations—ensuring each experience is both culturally rich and creatively ambitious.
The 2026 lineup is already building momentum, with performers including Patti LaBelle,Brandy, Monica, Cardi B, Kehlani, and Latto,—a powerful reflection of women defining their own standards.
“Teyana represents the spirit that ESSENCE was built to celebrate and amplify,” said Kirk McDonald, CEO of Sundial Media & Technology Group. “Having Teyana as our Chief Curator for 2026 is a statement about who we are and what we believe programming can be when it is truly created by and for the people it is meant to serve.”
With more programming announcements on the horizon, the 2026 ESSENCE Festival is shaping up to be a powerful, culture-defining experience—now guided by one of the most visionary creatives of this generation.
Tickets for the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® Evening Concert Series are on sale now. Follow @ESSENCEFest on X, Facebook, and Instagram to stay connected.
