ESSENCE Fest 2026: The Movers, Mentors, and Changemakers Defining This Year’s Cultural Celebration

As ESSENCE Festival of Culture 2026 transforms New Orleans into the epicenter of Black excellence, entrepreneurship, wellness, and entertainment, the impact of the event extends far beyond the main stage. From fitness innovators and youth mentors to advocacy leaders and creative visionaries, the festival serves as a powerful gathering place for those shaping culture and driving meaningful change within their communities.

For the first time ever, The Coca-Cola Company is bringing its beverage portfolio together (Coca-Cola, smartwater, and Simply) within one immersive world rooted in the theme “Shining Together,” honoring not just who she is, but the many roles she embodies and the impact she continues to drive.

At the heart of the experience Coca-Cola introduces Sisterhood Ave, a vibrant cultural hub designed to capture the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit Black women bring to communities across the country.

UPSCALE Magazine recently spoke with several influential organizations and leaders who are helping bring this year’s festival experience to life through strategic partnerships, community engagement, wellness initiatives, and artistic expression. Their collective mission reflects the true spirit of ESSENCE Fest: empowerment, connection, and the celebration of Black culture in all its forms.

Sherry Ringer, Founder of Club Cardio

Creating Space for Wellness and Movement

Mo Clark: How does participating in Essence Festival support Club Cardio’s mission of promoting wellness, movement, and healthy lifestyles within the community?

Sherry Ringer: Working with Coca-Cola and smartwater to bring movement and wellness programming to ESSENCE Festival is a natural extension of our mission. Together, we’re creating a safe space where people can recharge, reconnect, and experience wellness in a way that feels judgment-free, accessible, and rooted in community.

Mo Clark: What can attendees expect from your activation, and how do you hope it inspires them to prioritize their health and fitness journey?

Sherry Ringer: Coca-Cola’s smartwater Social Club is all about helping festivalgoers reset and rebalance, and we’re excited to bring that vision to life through movement. Attendees can expect high-energy classes, great music, and an environment that feels like family. Our uplifting atmosphere will have them leaving feeling empowered, refreshed, and inspired to continue prioritizing their wellness long after the festival ends.

Mo Clark: Why is it important for wellness brands to have a presence at major cultural events like Essence Festival?

Sherry Ringer: Being a part of cultural events like ESSENCE Festival reminds me of why I started this business. As a business owner, it’s easy to lose sight of your mission because of the day-to-day demands of ownership. This allows me to reflect on the space we’ve built for all people, but specifically Black women. As our company slogan reads, “Our Gym. Our People,” this gives us the opportunity to bring our people together to promote wellness on such a large platform.

Mo Clark: What’s next for Club Cardio?

Sherry Ringer: Our focus remains the same, with goals to expand beyond our current space and reach even more people. We will continue serving our hometown of Raleigh while operating pop-up classes in cities across the country. Everyone deserves to experience the power of movement in a way that feels approachable and uplifting.

Coach G, Founder of Coach G Academy

Empowering the Next Generation Through Stepping

Mo Clark: What does performing and representing Coach G Academy at Essence Festival mean for your students and organization?

Coach G: We’re incredibly grateful to partner with Coca-Cola to bring the energy of stepping and youth leadership to ESSENCE Festival. For our students, performing at Coke’s booth—connected to one of the country’s most influential celebrations of Black culture—is a powerful reminder that their talent, discipline, and hard work can take them anywhere.

Mo Clark: How does stepping help develop leadership and confidence?

Coach G: Stepping teaches teamwork, discipline, accountability, and confidence. It gives young people the opportunity to lead, support one another, and develop skills they’ll carry with them far beyond the stage.

Mo Clark: What message do you hope audiences take away?

Coach G: I hope people walk away inspired by the talent, dedication, and potential of our youth. These performances represent what can happen when young people are given opportunities to grow and shine.

Mo Clark: What’s next for Coach G Academy?

Coach G: We’re excited to continue expanding mentorship, leadership development, and performance opportunities for our students. Our focus remains on helping young people build confidence, pursue their goals, and reach new heights.

Virginia W. Harris, National President, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (NCBW)

Richelle Woodfork, President, Greater New Orleans Chapter, NCBW

Advancing Advocacy and Economic Empowerment

Mo Clark: What does participating in Essence Festival represent for NCBW?

Virginia W. Harris: Through our partnership with Coca-Cola at ESSENCE Festival, we’re able to bring the work of NCBW to one of the largest celebrations of Black culture and community in the country. It represents an opportunity to connect directly with women, families, and future leaders while highlighting the impact Black women continue to make in every sector of society.

Mo Clark: How does ESSENCE Fest help expand awareness around the organization’s mission?

Virginia W. Harris: ESSENCE Fest creates authentic spaces for organizations like NCBW to collaborate with brands like Coca-Cola. Through the professional cultural hub, Shine City Marketplace, we’re able to engage new audiences around health, education, economic empowerment, and public policy.

Mo Clark: What initiatives are you most excited about moving forward?

Virginia W. Harris: We’re excited to continue expanding Sister-Nomic$®, a program dedicated to teaching financial literacy and providing economic empowerment while demonstrating how advocacy and community engagement create meaningful change.

Mo Clark: What key message do you hope attendees leave with?

Virginia W. Harris: I hope attendees leave understanding the power of collective action and community. Whether through advocacy, mentorship, entrepreneurship, or civic engagement, we all have a role in creating opportunities for Black women and girls.

Mo Clark: What does it mean for the Greater New Orleans Chapter to be represented during ESSENCE Festival?

Richelle Woodfork: Being represented through Coca-Cola’s ESSENCE Festival experience is an incredible opportunity to showcase both our local chapter and the broader impact of NCBW. New Orleans is a city rooted in culture, resilience, and community, and we’re honored to help welcome visitors from around the country.

Mo Clark: How does your chapter plan to connect with attendees?

Richelle Woodfork: We look forward to sharing our work, having meaningful conversations, and introducing people to opportunities for mentorship, service, and advocacy. Our goal is to build connections and help attendees see how they can get involved in creating impact within their own communities.

Mo Clark: What programs are you most excited to showcase?

Richelle Woodfork: We’re proud to highlight programs focused on leadership development, education, economic empowerment, and mentorship. These initiatives create pathways for success and strengthen opportunities for women and girls throughout our community.

Mo Clark: How can ESSENCE Festival create new opportunities for the organization?

Richelle Woodfork: ESSENCE brings together leaders, organizations, and changemakers from across the country. We’re excited to build new relationships, share ideas, and identify opportunities that help us expand our impact beyond the festival.

Shae Anthony, Founder and Creative Visionary of She Is This

Celebrating Black Womanhood Through Art

Mo Clark: What does being part of Essence Festival mean for you and She Is This?

Shae Anthony: Teaming up with Coca-Cola at ESSENCE Festival is a full-circle moment. As an artist, having my work integrated throughout Shine City allows me to share the stories and experiences that inspire She Is This with a much larger audience. It’s an incredible opportunity to celebrate Black creativity while continuing to grow a brand rooted in representation, joy, and self-expression.

Mo Clark: How does your brand align with the spirit of ESSENCE Festival?

Shae Anthony: She Is This has always been about celebrating every bit of being a Black woman as boldly as possible. From our stunning skin and hair to our personalities, style, and diverse experiences, every piece I design is inspired by womanhood, beauty, culture, and confidence—the very essence of ESSENCE Festival.

Mo Clark: What are you most excited to share with festival attendees?

Shae Anthony: I’m probably more excited for attendees to share themselves with me. To meet the faces behind the community that inspires my work, hear their stories, and connect in person. I often say I’m just a girl who likes to color, and I’m excited to share how that simple passion evolved into a brand inspired by them.

Mo Clark: What’s next for She Is This?

Shae Anthony: In the coming months, I’ll be releasing more illustration-centered apparel, including hoodies and sweaters, as well as larger poster prints for dorm rooms and small spaces. Even more exciting, in Fall 2026, I’m launching the “Well Loved” collection, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, an organization that holds special meaning to me as a congenital heart defect survivor.

ESSENCE Festival has long been recognized as a celebration of music, culture, and community, but its true power lies in the people and organizations using the platform to inspire lasting change. Through wellness, youth leadership, advocacy, mentorship, and artistic expression, Sherry Ringer, Coach G, Virginia W. Harris, Richelle Woodfork, and Shae Anthony are helping shape the future while honoring the culture that connects us all. As thousands gather in New Orleans for ESSENCE Fest 2026, these changemakers serve as powerful reminders that impact extends far beyond the stage—it lives in the communities being empowered, the lives being transformed, and the legacy being built every day.

The post ESSENCE Fest 2026: The Movers, Mentors, and Changemakers Defining This Year’s Cultural Celebration first appeared on Upscale Magazine.