We Love Us: The Essence of Black Excellence

By Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. ·Updated April 17, 2025For more than three decades, ESSENCE Magazine and the Essence Festival of Culture have been a beacon of Black excellence, a cultural celebration of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. From its inception, ESSENCE has stood as a pillar of empowerment, amplifying the voices of Black women, uplifting our community, and reminding us—through every article, every image, and every festival moment—t