Essence Fest is facing renewed scrutiny after financial records revealed a substantial unpaid balance tied to its 2025 event in New Orleans, raising questions as organizers prepare for the festival’s next edition.
According to information released to NOLA.com through a public records request, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center reported that Sundial Media Group—the New York-based company that owns Essence—had an outstanding balance of $456,000 related to last year’s event.
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That figure accounted for more than half of the total hosting charges for multiple days of programming, including panels and workshops held over the July 4 weekend…