Taraji P. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer star in August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone, directed by Debbie Allen, for 15 weeks only. Tickets on sale now. | Essence

This one’s for the Dogs! You know Terrence J couldn’t get married without setting it out with The Bruhz! Don’t ask if you can pet this dog, he’s taken! See more of our ESSENCE bridal Bliss exclusive at ESSENCE.com. | Essence

The word of the day is “pontificate”. We all know T.I. is a man of many words, so we asked the walking thesaurus why displaying his extensive vernacular is so important. See more of our exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of Terrence J and Mikalah’s wedding at ESSENCE.com. | Essence

The voice that matters the most is the one you use to empower others. At the ESSENCE Black Women in Business Luncheon, Rahquel Purcell, Chief Transformation Officer, North America at L’Oréal Groupe, shared her secret to discovering her voice and how powerful it is. Be sure to watch ESSENCE Black Women In Business on the ESSENCE YouTube channel and read more here: https://www.essence.com/news/money-career/essence-black-women-in-business-2025/ | Essence

Welcome back to ESSENCE Super Lounge! We’re shining a spotlight on one of the most exciting new voices in music with a brand new ESSENCE Super Lounge performance. Gabby Samone made a name for herself through her beautiful covers on social media, not long after she was seen singing for America on American Idol. Now you can see her singing in a special Super Lounge performance of her singing the Faith Evans classic Soon As I Get Home. You may want to turn up the volume on this one —the mic is on!

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Sponsored by Merck: Clinical trials play an important role in driving advancements in healthcare, yet they're not often talked about outside the doctor's office. Hear @MerckInvents leaders discuss how informed conversations about clinical trials can help empower you and your loved ones. Catch the full conversation here: https:// www.essence.com/health-and-wellness/our-health-our-heritage-merck/ | Essence

Women & Words is proving exactly what happens when Black stories are nurtured, resourced, and believed in. We’re happy to announce that Penguin Random House and Storehouse Voices partnered with ESSENCE to launch the inaugural Women & Words x ESSENCE Writing Contest, a first-of-its-kind effort to demystify publishing and open the door wide for emerging storytellers. Hundreds applied. Two stood out. Those two winners joined four additional Women & Words authors for a historic Signing Day celebrati