The 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® Presented by Coca-Cola® ended with the kind of energy only Black culture can deliver, loud, proud, and rooted in legacy. Sunday, July 6th, brought the fire: from Keke Palmer and Sheryl Swoopes to Erika Alexander and Master P, the final day was filled with powerful voices, laughter, reflection, and yes, Black joy on 100.
But one of the most heartwarming and hype-worthy panels came from the If Not For My Girls Season 7 taping featuring lifelong besties Reginae Carter and Zonnique Pullins of OMG Girlz fame. The crowd was locked in as the two opened up about friendship, growing up in the spotlight, and the power of staying grounded in sisterhood.
Fans weren’t just watching, they were part of the show. A live trivia game turned into a major moment when Reginae, Zonnique, and the OMG Girlz gave away an all-expense-paid trip to one lucky attendee to attend their show taping. Talk about the main character’s energy. Toya Johnson-Rushing, Reginae’s proud mom, was in the crowd cheering them on.
The love was infectious.
Essence Festival isn’t just a party, it’s a reunion. A weekend that reminds us of our collective power, where music legends like Boyz II Men headline the evening concert, and tributes to giants like Quincy Jones (led by Jermaine Dupri) remind us why we’re here. It’s the celebration, the story-sharing, and the spotlighting of who we are, on our terms.
And as this year’s festival closed with joy and gratitude, FEMI was front and center for a moment that reminded us: Black women, when united in love and purpose, are unstoppable.
Image Credit: Essence Fest
Featured Image Credit: Jasmine Tiffany (FEMI)
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