Celebrity Coverage
Shenseea Electrifies Audience on “Never Gets Late Here” Tour – Essence
Photo credit: Leslie Alvarez
GRAMMY-nominated Jamaican pop star Shenseea brought the warmth to Atlanta’s Masquerade Heaven along with her first headlining performance tournée. From the moment she took the stage, Shenseea captivated the gang along with her vibrant energy, fluid dance moves and undeniable charisma, delivering an unforgettable performance that left fans on the sting of their seats.
Shenseea dominated the stage during her set, performing a mixture of timeless fan favorites and fresh tracks from her sophomore album. The evening kicked off with dynamic sets from Mix Master David, Bdifferent and ALLSUMMERLONG, setting the tone for an electrifying evening that only intensified when Shenseea made her grand entrance.
Reflecting on her performance, Shenseea said: “It was amazing – a bit of a technical challenge I feel because the sound was up and down. But I was still grateful, the energy was still electric. And I can’t wait to come back and do a bigger venue, that’s the goal.”
As the night progressed, Shenseea performed her hits with infectious energy, making a tangible connection along with her audience. Her fans, in turn, returned the love, singing every word of her songs and dancing along along with her. Shenseea’s commitment to authenticity shone through in each her music and her stage presence. “You get the full service,” she said. “You get the energy, you get the choreography, you get the vocals, you get the look, you get someone who is on stage who is passionate and takes their craft seriously.”
The exciting show was the sixth stop on her 12-city tour, which has already sold out five shows. The tour, which runs from August 16 to September 6, showcases her chart-topping album Shenseea and features Coi Leray, Wizkid and DJ Genius. The tour hits major cities including Los Angeles, New York and Miami before wrapping up with a grand finale in Las Vegas.
Shenseei’s commitment to music extends beyond her performances. When discussing her creative process in collaboration, she emphasized the importance of authenticity. “I think what I learned from my first project is that I have to be more authentic when it comes to collaborations,” she says. This commitment to staying true to her roots is clear in her music and the way in which she connects along with her audience.
While her star continues to rise, Shenseea stays grounded in her philanthropic efforts. After Hurricane Beryl, the musician distributed relief packages to the people of Jamaica, giving the island hope during this critical time. She believes that service to others is greater than just an obligation, it’s more of a responsibility, especially for many who have the financial and material means to achieve this. “I honestly think more artists should do it,” she says.
“The fans are what make us money and I think there’s nothing better than giving back,” Shenseea continues. “For me, it’s pretty simple and I love the feeling I get. I do it from the heart – I don’t do it for the cameras. The only time you see the cameras is when I want to influence other people to do the same because I didn’t grow up wealthy and I know what it’s like to have someone help you. God put me in a position where I can invest in others, so why not do that?”
With undeniable talent, passion and originality, Shenseea shouldn’t be only achieving latest milestones in her profession, but additionally paving the way in which for the following generation of artists. Her tour is greater than only a series of performances; it’s a celebration of her journey, her culture and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.
Celebrity Coverage
9 Times Sanaa Lathan Proved She’s the Queen of Pink – Essence
Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET+
Actress Sanaa Lathan’s beauty first made her presence known in television shows like and , before starring in the addictive romantic drama opposite Omar Epps.
Since then, she has starred in some of the biggest noir movies of our time, appreciated not just for her talent but in addition for her sweet smile, brown eyes and rouge-tinged cheekbones.
For example, at the 2002 premiere, Lathan established her stance on blush, which framed her metallic eyeshadow. She doubled down on the circular application at the premiere in her most pigmented look yet, before dusting her eyes with body glitter and blush at the 58th Annual Tony Awards the following 12 months.
In the 2010s, she toned down her pink tone by attending BWIH’s sixth Annual ESSENCE Awards Gala with matte, lipstick in a shade of pink (by pumping up the pigment at a 2016 Beso party.) Over time, she began using shades of brown to sculpt her cheeks (think: Premiere 2022) for a hotter, more sensual moment — one which continues to today.
Now, on what would have been her 53rd birthday, we’re bringing you all of our favourite moments from Sanaa Lathan’s life.
Celebrity Coverage
How Adidas is shaping a more inclusive future for sport with the expansion of its Community Lab – Essence
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 09: A Boys & Girls Clubs of America member attends the adidas and Boys & Girls Clubs of America partnership celebration ahead of the Super Bowl at Resorts World Las Vegas on February 09, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for adidas)
For many years, access to sports for many communities of color has been limited, and barriers often extend beyond the playing field.
This 12 months, adidas is taking one other step toward removing those obstacles. The sportswear giant recently announced the expansion of its Community Lab Programa visionary initiative to support Black and Latinx entrepreneurs working at the intersection of sports, equality and community development.
Founded with the intention of providing resources and opportunities to underrepresented social entrepreneurs, the adidas Community Lab has gained momentum since its inception. This 12 months, the program is growing not only in scale but in addition in impact, expanding to Toronto and Houston along with its original cities of Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York.
The mission of the program is clear: to support and empower Black and Latinx innovators who strive to make sports more accessible, equitable, and inclusive. At its core, the Community Lab offers more than simply funding; it creates an environment of mentorship, education, and networking that helps participants turn their visions into reality.
At the heart of this 12 months’s expansion is a latest partnership with Black ambitiona nonprofit organization founded by Grammy Award-winning artist Pharrell Williams. Black Ambition’s mission is to shut the wealth and opportunity gap by investing in high-growth startups led by Black and Latinx entrepreneurs. To date, the organization has mentored over 1,000 underrepresented founders and awarded over $10 million in funding to 101 dynamic entrepreneurs.
“Black Ambition was founded to create the space, individual opportunities, and relationships needed for underrepresented founders to thrive without obstacles,” said Jermeen Sherman, CEO of Black Ambition. The organization will bring its unique experience in mentoring and networking to the Community Lab, helping participants not only grow their businesses but in addition make a lasting impact of their communities.
This partnership, in addition to returning collaborators resembling Impact Hub and ie (Industry Education), will provide attendees with access to a comprehensive set of resources including: mentoring from industry leaders, expert training, workshops, executive chats with adidas, and networking opportunities with top executives and industry peers.
Additionally, each participant will receive $75,000 in grant funding to implement their progressive ideas. Over the course of eight months of intensive programming, these social entrepreneurs could have the tools to not only grow their businesses, but in addition transform the sports landscape of their communities.
The expansion of the adidas Community Lab is not only a corporate initiative, but a key step towards creating a more equitable world in sports and beyond. Ayesha Martin, Senior Director of adidas Purpose, expressed her excitement about the program’s expansion, stating, “We are excited to grow a larger group of social entrepreneurs who share our vision of removing barriers to access to sports for the communities we collectively serve.”
This is in line with broader trends in the industry. According to 2022 report from the Sports & Society program at the Aspen Institute, Black and Latinx youth are disproportionately underrepresented in organized sports, largely as a consequence of socioeconomic barriers resembling equipment costs, travel costs, and lack of access to secure spaces to play. Programs like the adidas Community Lab aim to shut these gaps by providing young athletes with opportunities that stretch far beyond the field.
By expanding its support to cities like Toronto and Houston, adidas is ensuring that more communities can profit from this transformational program. These cities are growing hubs of sports talent and entrepreneurial potential, making them ideal locations for the next wave of social impact leaders.
As adidas continues its mission to “create a sustainable ecosystem of change,” this 12 months’s group of social entrepreneurs will help redefine the intersection of sport, equity, and community. For aspiring changemakers, this is more than simply a possibility to grow a business—it’s a probability to shape the future.
Celebrity Coverage
Black love was everywhere on the red carpet at the 2024 Emmys
Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre Elba attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)
The 2024 Emmys took place in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 15. And while no Black stars swept the Emmys this 12 months (congrats to Leo’s LaMorne Morris for taking home the trophy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series), the event brought out a few of our brightest stars and their partners. There were Idris and Sabrina Elba, Niecy Nash and wife Jessica Betts, Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, and more. As we do for each major event, we’ve rounded up all the Black love moments from the 2024 Emmys. Scroll right down to see who showed up and showed out at TV’s biggest night.
-
Press Release6 months ago
CEO of 360WiSE Launches Mentorship Program in Overtown Miami FL
-
Business and Finance4 months ago
The Importance of Owning Your Distribution Media Platform
-
Press Release5 months ago
U.S.-Africa Chamber of Commerce Appoints Robert Alexander of 360WiseMedia as Board Director
-
Business and Finance6 months ago
360Wise Media and McDonald’s NY Tri-State Owner Operators Celebrate Success of “Faces of Black History” Campaign with Over 2 Million Event Visits
-
Film5 months ago
Time Selects Taraji P. Henson to Host ‘Time100 Special’ in 2024 on ABC
-
Press Release6 months ago
Eggstravaganza, Returning to Miramar Regional Park
-
Ben Crump6 months ago
Attorney Ben Crump vs Google Black Minority Lawsuit
-
Fitness6 months ago
At Smartwater Wellness, check in with fitness trainer Shy Lovell