The EssenceFest Disney House at The Chicory on July 6th in New Orleans was a magical experience of a lifetime and MADAMENOIRE’S social media manager, Tiffany Smith, was there to witness it live and in person.
Nextdoor’s Product Marketing and Multicultural Engagement Lead, Reesha Howard, served as a guide to all of the out of this world enchantments.
Reesha is a global citizen who has been able to impact many lives locally. Leveraging her experience in tech companies like eBay and Twitter, and as an entrepreneur, she joined Nextdoor to do the unthinkable: meld Black and Brown community interactions with advanced technology through rich, brutally honest dialogues.
“We partnered with Disney during the Essence Festival. We have a space called the Book Nook for folks to sit and recharge and they can take a book away from a local New Orleans author.” Along with a space for Black-owned chefs from New Orleans, Reesha said, “it’s giving the vibe
of food and culture from the eyes of a local.”
The 30th anniversary of the Essence Festival of Culture was not only an homage to its illustrious past, but an illuminating reminder of the unbridled potential of the future. Actress Dara Reneé (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Freaky Friday) stated, “My mom is the main one who got me into this. She is my hero.” Promoting her latest role as the villain in “Descendants: The Rise of Red” which premiered Friday, July 12 exclusively on Disney+, she added, “I play Ursula’s baby sister and I’m the reason for a lot of chaos in the movie.”
Reneé continued, “And my family — I mean, I was lucky enough to grow up in a family of entertainers. My grandmother was in a girl group, my mom was an actress. Everybody has their own little flair in my family. I was very lucky to have a support system like them.”
Until Next Time…
By: Tiffany Smith 