First off, let's talk about the mayor's shindig. You can’t imagine the glitz and glamour as we rubbed shoulders with the city's elite, sipping fancy drinks and exchanging pleasantries with politicians left and right. It's like a real-life episode of "Scandal," minus the scandalous drama (or maybe there was some, who knows?). I was in the midst of it all, witnessing the dawn of a new era, while gracefully navigating through the sea of power players.
So, there I was, minding my own business, the next day, when Oprah Winfrey magically appeared before me. I mean, who needs to breathe when you can see Oprah, right? And as a bonus, she bestowed upon us some cool wisdom nuggets. You can only imagine the sheer disbelief and excitement coursing through my veins when I realized who I was breathing next to. Did I manage to keep my cool, or did I squeal like a fangirl meeting her idol? Alongside The Master Chief, other Powerful black actors spoke of healing which soothes the soul, in a color named Purple; previously Spielberg'd, now Oprah’d.
Next, I strolled through the author pavilion, feeling all literary and important. I mean, who needs a Pulitzer when you can casually peruse through a book fair with all black books? Oh, and did I mention I got to check out the famous coke studio? No, not the fizzy drink, but a legit music paradise. I was practically serenaded by the harmonious sound of carbonated melodies.
Oh, and guess what? I graced the cover of a magazine. Move over, supermodels, there's a new star in town. People were practically tripping over themselves to catch a glimpse of my fabulousness. LOL! Of course, the NOLA beans and sausages I devoured at the local restaurants might have contributed to that allure. Who knew legumes could be so enticing?
Now, brace yourself for this one. I lived in an Airbnb without a single soul in sight customer service wise. But fear not, a concierge from the Philippines magically appeared whenever I lost my freaking door code. Happened 2 million times. It was like playing hide-and-seek with invisible forces. An adrenaline rush like no other.
Oh, and the best part? I bonded with other Africans, and we shared laughter, stories, and a newfound appreciation for the phrase "blackity black black." And guess who I met during this enlightening experience? The Vice President herself. She taught me a valuable lesson: trust black women. Well, who am I to argue with the VP? Trust granted!
Now, let's set the record straight about the free stuff. As it turns out, the goodies didn't rain down from Oprah herself (I know, bummer!). They came from the amazing partner brands who wanted to make us feel like royalty. So, shoutout to the real heroes behind the scenes, bringing us fabulous swag and making us feel like Beyoncé at a lemonade stand. My absolute favorite is this fan from Hulu that spins and makes sounds like Chukbukwa, the alien from Planet Whatchamacallit. It even has a catchy phrase on it, because what's a fan without a philosophical slogan?
Oh, hold the phone! I also met Beyoncé's stepdad. Now that's a whole new level of extraordinary! That's some next-level, beyond-regular stuff right there. I mean, who needs regularity when you can casually bump into someone who's part of Queen Bey's family tree? Talk about rubbing elbows with the elite!
Either way, meeting Beyoncé's stepdad is definitely a memorable encounter that's bound to be the highlight of any conversation. Regular? Absolutely not. That's a story for the ages!
But wait, there's more! I then found myself at a Jill Scott-Missy Elliott concert that was out of this world—literally! Picture this: Missy Elliott, the legendary queen of hip-hop, descending from a spaceship to perform. Talk about next-level theatrics and graphics on overload! It was a spectacle of epic proportions, leaving you in awe and wondering if you accidentally stepped into a sci-fi movie. The dramatic flair and jaw-dropping visuals made it a concert experience like no other.
And so, my Essence experience was a rollercoaster of Oprah-induced fangirl death, hilarious encounters, and unforgettable moments. Who says life can't be a real life entertaining sitcom? Because, trust me, Sahndra Fon Dufe knows how to turn any ordinary day into an extraordinary adventure.
And oh my, how could I forget? It was the first-ever Africa Day at Essence. PART TWO COMING
