A stage setup with large purple "ESSENCE" letters, a DJ booth, and a backdrop displaying "ESSENCE Festival." Purple lighting and a large microphone prop hang overhead.

// PROJECT 03

ESSENCE Festival of Culture

Services:

Event Project Management · Creative & Experiential Design

Working with Girls United Creator's House at ESSENCE Festival, BlackOps designed and produced three signature experiences: the Kickback, the Sponsor Reception, and the Press Welcome Event and Immersion. Each one was built to honor culture, creativity, and community at one of the country's most iconic festivals. The activations drove measurable increases in social media impressions across the board.

5,000+ attendees across 3 days

75+ press in attendance

10+ content-driven activations

A stage with musical instruments and colorful floral arrangements is set up for the 30th Essence Festival of Culture, with purple lighting and a decorated white backdrop. People attend an indoor event with pink lighting; a sign reads “30th Essence Festival of Culture, New Orleans, Louisiana, CocaCola.” A person in a red dress walks by.
Performer in a green suit holds a microphone on stage at an Essence event, with audience members taking photos and event signage in the background.
A large metallic art installation with circular elements and blue lighting stands in a dark event space; empty chairs and a stage are visible in the background. A person with bright red hair stands at a podium labeled "Essence Festival of Culture" in front of a dark backdrop with event photos.
A stage with large purple ESSENCE letters, a DJ, bright spotlights, and a screen displaying “ESSENCE Festival” under a hanging microphone prop.
A crowd faces a stage with bright lights and a large screen displaying "Essence Kickback" at an indoor event. A singer performs on stage in front of a large crowd, with her image displayed on a big screen behind her. Audience members are filming with their phones.
A pink exhibition booth with "HER FANTASY BOX" branding, oversized product props, floral decorations, and shelves of small boxes displayed on each side.
Black and white abstract geometric sculpture resembling inflated tubes arranged in a radial pattern on a plain background.

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A group of people pose together indoors in front of a “Creator Collective” banner, smiling at the camera. Some wear lanyards and badges.