Dear Friend, 

What really makes Essence... Essence?

I had an unfiltered, up-close, and deeply personal conversation with the powerhouse minds behind Essence Festival and Essence Magazine - the legacy, the culture, the future.

We talked vision. We talked values. We talked truth. And now, I'm bringing you into the room.

On this episode:

• What it means to be the heartbeat of Black culture and creativity
• How Essence became more than a magazine - it became a movement
• The behind-the-scenes of the Festival that draws half a million to New Orleans
• And the unapologetic, undeniable power of Black women at the center of it all

It's fun, it's provocative, it's informative - 

It's Essence.

This is "What Makes America Tick?" Hosted by me, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. 

Listen to the First Episode Now!

Watch the Episode on Youtube!

You can also read my op-ed on Essence.com, titled "We Love Us: The Essence of Black Excellence." 

Sincerely,

Troy A. Carter, Sr.
Member of Congress