Target Corporation
07/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/29/2024 05:17
Target Joins the Party as Essence Festival of Culture Turns 30
Once again, Target was proud to be the official mass merchandise retail partner for the annual Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans in July. As Essence Fest celebrated 30 years of elevating Black women and the music, style, joy and culture of the Black community, Target was at the heart of the action, creating authentic moments of connection for attendees and emphasizing our commitment to Black guests, entrepreneurship and communities while surprising and delighting more guests with more joy.
"We Love Us"
That was the 2024 theme for Essence Fest, and a mass of attendees experienced that communal spirit of love and togetherness as they stepped into Target's Inner Circle Experience. Our immersive event was designed to give each guest their own space to be seen, embraced and celebrated from the moment they arrived, journeyed through the personalized digital style studio and reveled in the runway finale. Target brand partners Kahlana Barfield-Brown and Jenee Naylor joined the Inner Circle as they took to the stage to reveal the next era of Future Collective. And we put Black entrepreneurship in the spotlight by curating cool product giveaways in our must-have tote, showcasing affordable, trend-setting Black-owned and founded beauty brands available every day, along with a Target Circle coupon for an easier way to shop and save at Target.
Check out these quotes from guests who joined our Inner Circle Experience:
- "Target is an Essence first stop for us. We have come for three years now and made it an annual girls' weekend!"
- "We always joke about how different we are in style but love how unique we both are. Our personas were exactly us! Business and country girl. We can't wait to go find all our items in the store and make some decor and vibe changes."
- "This wall is lit; I need this in my house. Everything is going to be Target."
Tabitha Brown and Stephan Satterfield.
Kahlana Barfield-Brown and Jenee Naylor.
"Essence Fest with my Target family is like food for my soul," said Barfield-Brown. And our Target partners showed up with inspiration, fun and special announcements that surprised and delighted the crowd:
- Tabitha Brown sat down for a chat with sommelier Stephen Satterfield and formally announced her launch of a new line of wines through an exclusive partnership with Target. "This has been a long time coming," said Brown. "I'm so happy to share it with you all."
- Sarah Jakes Roberts joined journalist and content creator Danielle Young on stage for a session "Power Personified: Powered by Target and discussed her new book Power Moves.
The Inner Circle expanded into the streets of New Orleans, with a customized truck showcasing Target's strong support of the community at large, while bringing awareness to popular beauty brands and driving traffic to stores.
From left, journalist and content creator Danielle Young talks with author and speaker Sarah Jakes Roberts about her new book, "Power Moves."
Celebrating Black women, excellence and entrepreneurism
Target's partnership with Essence isn't just about the party. Target and Essence share a mission to foster Black joy, and our collaboration helps us advance Target's Racial Equity and Change (REACH) commitments and our diversity, equity and inclusion goals. The partnership builds on Target's commitment to spend more than $2 billion with Black-owned businesses by the end of 2025 and on the progress we have made by reaching our goal to spend 5% of our media budget with Black-owned media companies.
Target hosted a talent-led brunch as a beautiful end to Essence Fest weekend, and to express our gratitude for our dynamic partners who impact culture in such positive ways. This moment illustrated what it means when community and culture intersect. And Laysha Ward, our former chief external engagement officer, was recognized with an inaugural Essence Black Women in Business Award; she received the Community Investment Pioneer Award, alongside other honorees: Thasunda Brown Duckett, Serena Williams, Esi Eggleston Bracey, Marian Croak and Ingrid Saunders Jones. The event will be featured in the November/December issue of Essence magazine.
Catch more highlights and special moments during Essence Fest:
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