FED UP Residents CONFRONT City as Essence Fest SABOTAGE Small New Orleans Businesses with SHUTDOWNS

Essence Festival just celebrated their 30th Anniversary in the City of New Orleans. Hundreds of millions of dollars brought into the city, but some local business owners say the money doesn’t trickle down to them. Essence blocked those businesses from operating in key places in the city, like the French Quarter and Downtown NOLA.
#neworleans #essence #essencefestival
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[@digitallhm8160]

Go look at who runs Essence now. They not like Us

[@pinkbooklessons]

Tell us more. Who are you referring to as “they” at Essence?

[@KathrynFloyd-sl1pz]

The CEO is Kenyan....

[@koolsmoothfan]

@@KathrynFloyd-sl1pz ikr lol

[@primetime8717]

@@digitallhm8160 And we sold out to them. Just like how BET or "EBT AWARDS " sold out to the white man.

[@automatic_systematic]

Who are They? Who is Us? What are We?

[@ericervin4778]

Isn't it ironic that they call it "Clean Zones?" Sounds dirty to me!!!!

[@ItsTimeToo]

🎯🎯🎯

[@augustusbrown5320]

💯

[@beemonique8466]

Because it's dirty there for real.

[@jasonmarshall7547]

I thought I was the only one that was amused by the term “clean zone” being applied to New Orleans.

[@annetterenaud5508]

❤️🖤&💚😂😂😂

[@ladybgail]

I don’t blame these people for being upset. The people in charge just want the money itself

[@mikolowiskamikolowiska4993]

Who voted for them

[@ltod2]

Ok now,let's do it right?Went to essence festival in 2006,2007,2009 the best of times

[@taharqa332]

I’m from New Orleans. What happens every year with ESSENCE and other large festivals; is that they want ALL THE MONEY!!! The city acquiesces to these big companies to the detriment of the small business owners. The city is already spending MILLIONS in preparation for the Super Bowl but can’t spend money on much needed civic infrastructure(s). Trust me - every single one of those politicians is getting a kick back - because if they were working for the benefit of THE PEOPLE - they wouldn’t have allowed this to happen in the first place. It’s how New Orleans politics runs and has ran for decades.

[@lorealdrayton6164]

AH!!...now I understand what's going on! The OPPRESSOR strikes again!

[@zumaanandrade3961]

That's how the whole dang country is ran.

[@chanyoung3725]

@@zumaanandrade3961You are in the country of capitalism.

[@BettleBeet]

thank you for the insight. I'm Miami born and raised. I see it on the constant riches basis. So welcome to our world.

[@ragingblade504]

I feel that I was born and raised in the new orleans east east was beautiful once before st Thomas tore down and moved the pll from the projects to the east after Katrina it's gotten worst that's why I moved my family out it's not the sane

[@RandyJ1219]

I knew this was coming! S/O to the small business owners all over N.O.! You don't deserve this unrighteousness.

[@cristalhenson95]

That is so sad!! The money that comes into the town should go to the small business!!!

[@carefree002]

Financial Fascism. Those businesses should band together and sue the city for violating their constitutional rights to operate a business

[@juniorleslie4804]

Business unfortunately doesn't have constitutional rights, individuals do. But the political establishment and its corruption will not help them.

[@yojimbosatoshi]

You have no right to own or operate a business, genius.

[@bigcag972]

$45,000 is a joke. Those schools named are all private and not public schools. I hate that my city cant get right.

[@bJT42]

Glad somebody pointed it out.

[@thallus23]

$45k is a REALLY low number.

[@thenewbull00]

Can't or won't?

[@mikolowiskamikolowiska4993]

If you really hated you would vote accordingly. You don't

[@bigcag972]

@@mikolowiskamikolowiska4993 If i still lived in New Orleans I would vote, Thank You

[@teeburdtalks]

I’m from New Orleans and my cousin and I were just talking about this. He has a local food truck business, and after setting up for Essence fest for years he was not able to this year because of the city pushing out local blk owned small businesses street vending fees way to high. Smh 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@pinkbooklessons]

I would love to talk to your cousin. Yes, this is a serious issue that’s being tucked away because it’s a so called Black corporation doing this to Black local businesses. It’s horrible!

[@nessakay02]

💔

[@sistahb5159]

This is a case of usurping what was once Black American. This Kenyan head of Essence Fest is a colonizer with a colonizer mindset that unfortunately, a good number of elite African possess. After the previous year's fiasco, she could've made things right but this is not her objective nor does she have the heart to do so. All skinfolk ain't kinfolk. SMH

[@MBellishbyCharMega]

SHAME!

[@tremikacleary9749]

Oh wow! Yes, I remember back that local businesses were setting up food trucks and I’ve visited some local restaurants but this is crazy!

[@ubiquity02]

I grew up on Essence Magazine. When it was sold to Time Warner, I immediately noticed the changes in advertising. For example, Essence only used Black models for their ads. But I started to notice white models in make up ads (ie: Estée Lauder), that once had Black models. Then when Susan Taylor left, it was completely downhill. The focus became very celebrity and fashion oriented with a few Democratic political values. What I mean by this is that the magazine shifted away from traditional Black family and more into having celebrities on every cover, not models or even regular BW, like they used to. They also started promoting trans "women." I don't dislike these people but I don't need Laverne Cox and Janet Mock telling me anything about being a BW or "Black womanhood." I'm not a CIS anything. I'm the BLUE PRINT!

[@ShawnBen]

Being despicable is popular

[@walewilliams6298]

I use to go to Essence annually. It literally is a pointless festival that pretends to be for women empowerment. It’s more like a cash cow for the ratchets

[@miss1905]

💯

[@Yourfavoritehomie]

😂😮

[@amandaliscette6541]

Real💯

[@danarobinson4952]

💯💯💯

[@j.baldwin3012]

It always seemed like a big concert with some vendors set up to cater to concertgoers.

[@LBrown-fo7sr]

Essence Fest CEO is a Kenyan national Caroline Wanga. So i dont think she has any allegiance to the black small business communities.

[@S.412-q3q]

Damn sure don't

[@TheBLACKboard65]

WOW! Just WOW!! As usual, ADOS does great things and then allows non-ADOS people, regardless of race, to take our stuff.🤦🏽

[@Ichinen220]

Ya think…

[@wasialhaqq4251]

@@TheBLACKboard65 Maybe, just maybe, ADOS is just that. An acronym, an idea, but also an illusion. It's funny how all these ADOS folks always up in arms when they feel victimized by non ADOS blacks, mainly Africans. I ask the question, is your argument that you are okay with betrayal, abuse, disrespect, alienation, as long as it comes from ADOS blacks, and that the sting of such behavior is less because the originator of the crime shares a common nationality? Because, American Blacks have historically been as unfair, ungrateful, mean, disrespectful, to one another in this America from day one, but I guess we can overlook that can't we? We can hold on to the notion of the non ADOS boogey man to make oneself feel good around the decay of his community and the lack of social, political, economic savviness one and his ilk display at every turn

[@toppagirl]

Black people just bc we all have black skin DOES NOT mean we are the same people. PLEASE GET THIS? Don’t think China give a damn about Japan or Korea? They are NOT the same people. You are the only people who have been lied to to STEAL YOUR LAND. You have always been indigenous to America. Wake TF up!!! The slave story was a lie inthe way it was sold to you.

[@zzizahacallar]

Thank you for reporting this event and how it's treating the heartbeat of the city. It's sad.

[@pinkbooklessons]

🙏

[@sherenay3109]

I didn’t realize this is what they were doing to black small businesses. Now that I know, I won’t support it.

[@aishar8482]

I'm glad that they clean that mess up .. I'm 47 years old and I grew up watching essence as the classy part of our culture. I'm sick of these modern day. Prostitutes ruined in our culture.

[@lynettemarszal5923]

You got that right. It's sad to see coloured women disgracing themselves like this...........what a let down they are to the young generation

[@MasterK4eva]

I feel ya my sista. Which that's how modern folks are these days. Especially, in our culture SMH. 💯👍🏾🎯🍻😔🤦🏾‍♂️

[@taratarat5818]

🎯🎯🎯

[@icilmaa]

@@lynettemarszal5923 Coloured?

[@Blanket5656]

O so prostitute just became a style huh

[@789sadie]

Just because they say a company is “black own” doesn’t mean that it is black American own🤷🏾‍♀️

[@johnserosanguineous1886]

Anything can be "black owned" with a front man. Look at your president. 😂 Heres a stipend, read this speech we wrote for you, and we'll take care of the rest.

[@MielleBelleNoire]

🗣Say this louder!!!!

[@WandaRobinson-ij3mt]

Just look at the HBCU's

[@Logistics_Sandar]

@@johnserosanguineous1886 Thank you✌️

[@S.412-q3q]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@DD_12XSquared]

The small business owners need to come together and file a lawsuit against Essence and the City or New Orleans for violating there civil and constitutional rights

[@SoTrue144]

When will learn that just because it's black doesn't mean it's going to be run the right way.

[@S.412-q3q]

They are not American so the love and passion behind it will not be the same

[@bankrollbrooklynn]

they african.

[@christip20]

Why would anyone think that? Look at Chicago!! Look at Atlanta! They aren’t run right!

[@mareerogers364]

Those running it are NOT LIKE US!!!

[@bankrollbrooklynn]

@@mareerogers364 kdot said it best

[@darkknight6219]

I'm glad they got rid of the ratchet BS with regards to the concert!! But them shutting out black business under the guise of clean zones is wild!

[@gregkareem9824]

Stop cursing its a sin my dude

[@Voodooray007]

@@gregkareem9824 No.

[@beemonique8466]

The white owned businesses shuts down that weekend. On purpose!

[@PelicanGuy]

​@@gregkareem9824 Wrong comment, sir.

[@gregkareem9824]

@@PelicanGuy no

[@kylehenley3903]

This is almost giving me "Big Tiff" vibes, "Support me or else you can't do business here!"

[@ms.elaine5635]

What got me is that they are discussing issues that are important and some fools are in the background with signs that say “Palestine is a local issue, etc.” NO IT IS NOT! Black people have nothing to do with that! Why come to this meeting and disrespect us?! You need to be on a plane to Palestine to join the fight ! And what really gets me is WHEN OUR FOLKS ARE BEING BEAT DOWN AND KILLED they have NOTHING to say!!!

[@yas3288]

Right annoying the ish outta me.

[@sistahb5159]

Protestors for Palestinians feel they have the right to hijack anything and everything Black for their cause, feel entitled to Black advocacy, YET are against our reparations. "We have no friends."

[@ItsTimeToo]

I was waiting to see if there was a comment about the people in the back

[@yoshluv7]

It is very disrespectful!!!!!!!!!

[@3rni3PL]

Those Palestine morons are the same ones that decided to burn down the black area of certain cities while shouting "Black LIVES matter".....Okay, right....

[@Mexican_Marauder]

That's called a monopoly. It's illegal

[@creoleking8905]

It's time for Essence Fest to find a new home, their anti black behavior was disrespectful to the Native New Orleanian.

[@piscesqueenrock1254]

I said the same thing go to Atlanta,Texas,or go away I don't really care

[@rachelesmith3342]

New Orleans is its own trash black cesspool. Its infrastructure can barely handle large events and the black businesses here run terribly and have bad customer service

[@truthseeker912ga8]

essence must be stopped!!!! Black leadership must be held accountable 💯

[@gelliebeane6789]

Also, Essence is no longer black owned.

[@bigsnkby1]

@@gelliebeane6789yes it is

[@PelicanGuy]

​@@bigsnkby1Africans run it now, not African Americans.

[@ReysBoomBoomRoom11]

​@@gelliebeane6789 its no longer Black American owned...

[@Ichinen220]

Stop Essence magazine subscriptions

[@chayalahthanaya9920]

I hope people see this and ban Essence AND their festival.

[@francesfinney8188]

They didn't want the businesses in the area to get any money from this. They wanted it all.

[@amab1853]

That's really unfortunate. I always wondered what New Orleans residents think of essence fest. It's unfortunate it harms small businesses in nola

[@wilsonholts9991]

I bet even with simple food vendors it must be a problem. If you are in the convention center and get hungry you can eat at the vendors in the Halls for 30 dollars for a burger or go outside to the local food truck and eat for half the price. I bet that is why Essence wants to get rid of outside vendors. Still not the outside vendors fault though.

[@Giasemi55]

This whole thing is trifling… shame on the city and shame on Essence. I’m glad you covered this.

[@stacysummers3347]

What's even crazier is last year Essence threatened to sue the man speaking wearing black.

[@KP-ht4in]

Sounds like the citizens of NO need to vote some politicians out of office.

[@RGTitan901]

That’s grimy that the small business owners in New Orleans would be done dirty like this by both Essence and the New Orleans city government smh

[@patwill84]

Me and my child’s father was talking about this driving through the heavy traffic during essence festival. We live here! We was saying New Orleans always been for everyone else except for the ppl who live here! They will go all out for any and every one but us! New Orleans gotta do better! Unfortunately I don’t think they will🤷🏽‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️

[@clarkclarke]

My family, who lives there, never attends any of these events ... I don't attend anymore .... This festival has been like this for years .... The city brings in A LOT of money year round...how does the city not benefit from this ....where is the $$$ going????

[@jacoby1234ification]

I’m getting tired of these activist protesting about Palestine when every time black people are addressing their issues here comes the Palestine protest; get your own grassroots protest from the mud. Leave black people alone.

[@BLOCKBOI3RD]

They are bored and refuse hard work

[@sistahb5159]

Amen! They are not bored but disrespectful of Black Americans and feel they have a right to our spaces.

[@df1phantom]

Facts I was wondering did anyone else notice that I time stamped it and everything. They need to handle their own issues and gone somewhere from around those issues. Its got nothing to do with those people. People always trying to latch on to our issues

[@sistahb5159]

​@@df1phantomI wrote the truth about them feeling entitled to our advocacy but they will not support what's important to Black Americans and my comments were deleted.

[@df1phantom]

@@sistahb5159 yt probably auto deleted based on the combination of certain words

[@christof123]

“It be your own people.”

[@TCSMastery]

They not like us

[@ronaldburkhalter8955]

Esscence has been going this way for a while, especially since it is not run by black Americans anymore

[@sistahb5159]

BINGO‼️🎯

[@e113jelly6]

Right 👀

[@briv2403]

I remember when Essence was begging us during the pandemic to help keep them afloat. I rolled my eyes & said let them sink 😂. They haven’t been for the black community in decades

[@incognegress6583]

Essence comes to NOLA and gets ordinances in place that shut out local black businesses. Sadly. Never went and NEVER GOING!

[@slarvadain188]

I’m a native New Orleanian and Essence will fall off is the locals are not involved. What made it so popular and successful was the fact of how the city’s culture and freedom was woven into the festival. You got more than a concert every night. You got the whole experience of culture that kept tourists coming for the fest. New Orleans is a very tight knit city and when you screw us over, we don’t care how it falls but right now we are asking for the scene to reflect what has kept people coming back year after year.

[@MrJfortheElohim]

Get them crooked politicians out of there.

[@christopherjones5827]

Exactly.

[@4.Chozen]

💯

[@maxmacdonald7174]

Corruption in New Orleans city government that's a given.

[@beemonique8466]

Always have been

[@zumaanandrade3961]

Could not believe NO beat out NY and NJ in corruption in 1993. My co-worker said little NO dang we got to do something about that!

[@Mr.Boring_Man]

The Clean Zone is being used to clean out big sponsor competitors (local small businesses) it seems.

[@Riaalwayspretty]

I love visiting New Orleans. The people, culture, food. Knowing this I will NOT be supporting the Essence Festival. This is really sad and they need to fix this!

[@mothertwinkles4198]

Boycott the Essence Festival in 2025.

[@lamarmercer2370]

Soooooooo, Africans own Essence!?!?! Who never lived the black American experience!!!

[@TCSMastery]

Exactly

[@shanteshante811]

Wow they do? Never knew this.

[@joshuas.fuller6564]

Well look at the N.A.A.C.P majority are foreigners. Just like the leaders of the civil rights movement. There's nothing new under the sun. We wonder why our our so called democratic states keep the crimes going in predominantly black cities. To regenetrafry the land and to keep our people in the system. The democratic party was renamed and given to the black people that was once called the Dixiecrates. But yall happy for yall vice president kamila Harris and she a foreigner to. She sent so many black men to prison as head D.A. in Oakland it's a damn shame, but that's who yall voted for and wanted. With the help of some of our own people help selling us out. M.L.K. was a foreigner too, but people get fighting mad when you tell them the truth.

[@Ichinen220]

It was yte owned before that and I didn’t know it was sold to Africans

[@mareerogers364]

Yes that's what we got because ADOS that get those positions or build those businesses start to drink the kool-aid and forget their ancestors picked cotton tobacco hemp and sugar cane in this country We built this country here!!! And they sit up in Martha's Vineyard grinning about their achievements. The magazine is a shell of itself.😂😂😂😂😂 The CEO looks like she's from another planet. She definitely has NO roots are citizenship in America.

[@spitlogic]

This is one of the main reasons I love this channel. I appreciate you bringing to light things we would not typically know about.

[@mr.keptitreal]

Look at the Me Too Feminist in the background complaining about Palistine!!! This is NOT the time for that! This was about The Essence Festival.

[@mamaafrica4521]

😂😂It’s almost nauseating atp. They’re everywhere they shouldn’t be🤦🏽‍♀️

[@blaqunity]

They are pure looney tunes.

[@sistahb5159]

These people hijack anything Black for their cause, feel entitled to Black advocacy YET are against reparations. They are anti-Bl*ck.

[@sherryda2018bb]

It is strictly a white people issue at this point. Not about us, never has been.

[@tlunceford77]

They look goofy af. I don't feel like it was guewinue at all..

[@Darth_Smittious]

How did they allow a corporation to deny local tax paying constituents? All of the ones who agreed to this should be voted out.

[@sunishotra9958]

So tethers own Essence and are making money of AA/FBA/ADOS culture but doesn't want AA/FBA/ADOS people making any money at their event? The nerve.

[@michael198427]

Man just say indigenous americans smh🤣

[@itz-luigi1210]

Here is how you fix it. 1. Restrict Essence to the Superdome and convention center 2. Any business affected by the clean zone has to register 3 to 6 months before and they will be given 10 G's to offset the business loss. It don't help the workers but smb owner can at least not go negative. 3. Both

[@KaLiRed504DiVa]

THANK💖YOU so much for covering this issue. I'm from NO⚜️LA and I use to get booked to do different things with Essence Fest...so I was able to see a LOT of BEHIND THE SCENES, hush-hush stuff that was happening to vendors... mostly LOCAL businesses, and instead of me leaving each day feeling empowered... I felt horrible for the vendors. I also have a lot of associates in the entertainment industry that has been affected in a negative manner, and some even had embarrassing situations occur during/with Essence. So I decided to STOP SUPPORTING the festival in every way since 2016... and go to my friend's Local businesses or events to support them during the festival time.

[@hollywoodmarine]

My first time going this year, it was a mess.

[@nameblocked]

More like Insufferable Babbling Hyena Fest

[@pinkbooklessons]

Perfect description of the daytime events 😆

[@kashawnb8102]

🎯🎯

[@tlc4786]

New Orleaneans need to tell Essence Fest to kick rocks!

[@nishisalott1839]

Like Boycott if it all together

[@johnmarshk]

Honestly, a lot of the locals here, especially in the hospitality and service industry, are tired of Essence and wish it would just move to another city and give us a break.

[@MelanatedSoulja]

​@@johnmarshkI only attend the Bayou Classic now.. Essence Fest isn't the same..

[@johnmarshk]

@@MelanatedSoulja Essence Festival hasn't been the same in years.

[@amab1853]

​@@johnmarshk it may be time for Essence to take the festival to another city. I also think they should change the city every couple of years.

[@M.aurice]

A 9000$ pledge 😂..... The greed is greedy.

[@lunch_nine_one_one]

Tell em Pink Book Lessons!

[@shannon4811]

This isn't right! I am a business owner in MD and I would be PISSED too!

[@nishisalott1839]

I'm all for free Palestine but damn can Black people have anything specific to us?

[@bak-mariterry9143]

Juneteenth...?

[@hotstudcub]

What about black Palestinians?

[@hotstudcub]

What about black Palestinians?

[@GeeB-bi8id]

Yup !!! Juneteenth ? Man gay pride month means more than that

[@tonystarks7715]

"free Palestine"? they wasn't saying free the "black Americans". I could care less about Palestine

[@fropropanop]

If I have a brick and mortar, why do I have to move my business outdoors in the scorching heat to a damn parking lot. This is foolishness.

[@johnesesmith5819]

No more Essence. Their sponsors are out of order. And the irony of using the words clean zone.

[@Reppintimefitness]

The world we live in

[@mcglover78]

Unfortunately, my people will still go. Because we don’t stand on business when it comes to our people!

[@kylehenley3903]

FORTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS?!?!? That's a well equipped Honda Accord! And they get Millions out of this festival!

[@AnAdorableWombat1]

A Honda? If I got 45k for a car, I am not buying a Honda 😂

[@kylehenley3903]

@@AnAdorableWombat1 I agree. My point is, that's not a lot of money for a multi-billion dollar corporation to invest into a school system. They can do better!

[@cherishoneal9108]

That’s barely touching the public school system in Nola.

[@NuDiva14]

And that was only after backlash against the original pledge of $9,000! 😡

[@adamurbina5586]

This is upsetting. As a native now living elsewhere it’s sad to see the local government going against the small business owner. I’m sorry all the people who lost money because of this. It’s not right as that’s your livelihood. I’m at a loss for words really.

[@andrietta626]

This was the most comprehensive and accurate report I've seen so far about the impact of Essence Fest in New Orleans. Thank you @Pink Book Lessons for including the voices of locals and highlighting what happens behind the scenes.

[@pinkbooklessons]

🙏🙏🙏

[@jham4745]

Damn shame are own people with the same skin tone doing black owned businesses like that

[@Ty_ThatGuy]

Have you ever heard the saying, "All skinfolk AIN'T kinfolk"??

[@MrStateoftheCity]

Our not are

[@abusednomoresilence]

They not like us !😒

[@rell9601]

5:25 Palestine 🇵🇸 is a local issue ? 🤨 how?

[@sonjadeneale3474]

The white saviors have nothing else. They were the same ones at BLM, LGBTQ, and they'll be at the next thing.

[@malnorfleet4925]

They made it local because they won't go to Gaza and help 🤣

[@keosemeraldscorpio]

It’s not.

[@sandraedwards4278]

Stop investing money and time in corporate organizations that do not support our Black community

[@Carvitup1]

I am about tierd of these Palastine protesters showing up at all OUR events. We do not have anything to do with their issue(s).

[@jasminejackson338]

I guarantee you that half of them have no clue what they are protesting for...

[@johnserosanguineous1886]

Thats because the left owns blacks. Why wouldn't they roll up into your space like they own the place? (Because they do!)

[@BiggieTrismegistus]

"Your events"? It was a public city council meeting. They can show up if they want.

[@autumnmoss9474]

@@BiggieTrismegistuswho gives af about a damn Palest!!ne. They can take their sloppy wide back asses over there and fight then. Tf

[@dailycommune]

@@BiggieTrismegistus Exactly. Children are dying in Palestine in catastrophic numbers.

[@airwreckajane]

Honestly, a lot of us black women who were upset with Shea Moisture being sold weren’t really mad about the fact that it was being promoted to be black owned but wasn’t; we were mad that the formula changed to make it more inclusive when it was supposed to be a brand for OUR curls, coils and waves yet they changed it to fit everyone

[@jameswalker3380]

There's your Pan-Africanism right there!

[@sistahb5159]

Thank you. Straight up colonizers‼️

[@joybeybeeluv4234]

The way to fix this is just don’t participate with organizations that practice these squashing small businesses for the fun of it……Essence is all about Essence and that’s not how they got popular. We have to be quick to redirect

[@moosedagreat]

That's why I don't support these corporate black events. Essence never gave a "F" about black people like me. Y'all can take it, AND STICK IT!

[@maximusroyalty526]

Thank you for the hard work you put forth and continued speaking the truth to the people God bless you @Pink Book Lessons

[@pinkbooklessons]

🙏

[@st.francisanddr.pepper1304]

I'm from New Orleans. Born in '82. My father owned bars and pool halls while he was alive. He was a native New Orleanian. He always closed his businesses during Essence because the clientele was so difficult and cheap. He didn't want to subject his employees to it

[@azucar.morena]

$45,000 still isn’t enough

[@Josco31]

Exactly! I'm still offended and I've never been to NO!

[@toastnbunz]

Thank you for shedding light on what’s going down out here in New Orleans

[@pinkbooklessons]

💜💛💚

[@spiritualvybz3022]

Boycott them.Small businesses know your POWER...Shop small businesses only

[@DearWokeChristian]

I didn't know this about EF. Thank you for sharing.

[@pinkbooklessons]

Thank you for watching 🙂

[@BeautyfulEYEkandy]

$9,000 that’s it?!? Shame on Essence 😒

[@EmpressT5]

That's why I don't support Essence anymore!

[@Blackatchaproduction]

Shouldn't those people with the signs be protesting at the embassy instead of there?

[@fayesparrow2064]

Damn I’m 52 never ever have I been to any of Essence Festivals thx for sharing good info

[@plforeal4392]

Essence has enough money to specifically investigate anyone infringing on copyright. They shouldn't be able to shut the city down.

[@sandraedwards4278]

Truth 🎉❤Love it! Thank you, Auntie!!! You are greatness🎉❤

[@joyceclark8199]

Palestine is not a local issue. Go somewhere with that mess.

[@mrshappilymarried1]

That's a clear sign that 'They' are heavily invested in the festival and collect millions of black folks dollars. Damn Shame!

[@LayeredVegan]

Your highlighting of these important points is much appreciated. I 100% agree with each and every one of the issues that you brought up.

[@rreece78]

We have to stop supporting this type of company. This is so disrespectful to local. They need to replace all city council men and women who voted for this bill. GET THEM OUT!!!!!

[@tmoney360]

Sounds like Essence and the City of New Orleans is all about black culture and empowerment until it cuts into their profit margins.

[@PelicanGuy]

Those damn Africans strike again.

[@woodTMC1984]

Theres enough money for everybody & for the city council to restrict their own kind is crazy to me

[@TheBattleblaster]

The DEI destruction is happening through all levels willingly through big companies,

[@zztv15]

This is just a small sample of what these MAGA Trump team is about to do if they are elected SMDH my people worried about a reparations that ain't going be worth issh compared to what Project 2025 going to be like

[@lifeveteran79]

Thats what happens when politicians are shady and corrupt

[@ButterflyBree]

I agree with the residents and small business owners in New Orleans!! No entity or business should be allowed to go to any local municipality and dictate what businesses can make money, during the Essence Festival. People who visit New Orleans, during festivities, should be encouraged to support locally owned businesses!! This is absolutely treasonous to local taxpayers. 😮😮🤯🤯

[@kennethjones36]

@PinkBook I salute you for shining the light on this. This has been going on for years. I love my city (Born and Raised) but its toxic. I'm sure the same happens during Bayou Classic.

[@plforeal4392]

America has a slave culture here is an example. I'm from NY I live in Thailand now, if they shut down small biz in Thailand there'd be a revolution.

[@brendasmith6729]

Makes me ill!! I am heading home from there and it’s all true and the locals do not get the downfall of the money and they’re still nice. Good people. It is sad!

[@irianaav.6120]

$9,000 to local schools? Y’all playing in our face.

[@DLShoulders29]

Gotta love the term “clean zone”.

[@primetime8717]

Essence Festival is EBT AWARDS 2.0

[@tianawashington8869]

😂😂

[@ronde1135]

My parents used to subscribe to essence also but this was back in the 80s to early 90s . Articles focused on black love, showing beautiful black women of the darker shades.. After the late 90s it slowly started changing for the worse.

[@BrittneeWiliams]

Thank you for the story. We need more information like this because no one else is talking about it.

[@donalddupree3911]

all I can say is, your channel is the best I have ever seen when it comes down to the truth.👍

[@pinkbooklessons]

I appreciate that! 🙏🙂

[@chikFromMTL]

Thank you for explaining this. This is sad and out of order from Essence really,...