ESSENCE is bringing back one of its most celebrated events. For the first time since 2018, Black Women in Music will take place during the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans.

Hosted by Emmy Award-winning actor and producer Anthony Anderson, the private luncheon will honor Brandy, Kandi Burruss, Missy Elliott, and Mona Scott-Young for their contributions to music, entertainment, business, and culture. The event marks the latest installment of ESSENCE’s Black Women in franchise, which has long celebrated women setting the standard in their respective fields.

Held as a standalone gathering during festival weekend, Black Women in Music will bring together artists, executives, entrepreneurs, and other industry authorities for an afternoon dedicated to excellence. Since its launch, the event has spotlighted women whose careers have expanded far beyond music, celebrating leadership, entrepreneurship, and the creative vision of its recipients.

Brandy is a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, and producer whose influence on R&B remains unmatched. Widely known as “The Vocal Bible,” she has helped push the genre forward for more than 30 years through her distinctive sound and artistry. Her impact continues today, most recently with The Boy Is Mine Tour, a 32-city arena run alongside Monica that generated more than $100 million in ticket sales and reaffirmed her enduring connection with audiences.

From chart-topping records to Broadway stages, Kandi Burruss has built one of the most successful resumes in the industry. A Grammy Award-winning songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and television personality, she first gained national attention as a member of Xscape before becoming one of music’s most sought-after hitmakers. Along the way, she has expanded her reach through different business ventures, thus creating an empire few entertainers can match.

The Grammy Award-winning artist, songwriter, and producer Missy Elliott has created a body of work that has left a lasting mark on popular music. For over 30 years, the multihyphenate has consistently expanded the possibilities of sound, performance, and visual storytelling. Her influence can be seen in generations of artists who have followed, making her one of the most important innovators of the modern era.

Mona Scott-Young, the heralded producer, entrepreneur, and entertainment executive, has spent more than three decades building businesses and helping artists reach new heights. As the founder and CEO of Monami Entertainment, she helped guide the careers of artists including fellow ESSENCE Black Women In Music honoree Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, and Tyrese, before creating the hugely successful Love & Hip Hop franchise. Her work stands as a blueprint for women looking to build lasting success in media and entrepreneurship.

The return of Black Women in Music adds another marquee event to an already packed ESSENCE Festival weekend. Collectively, this year’s honorees reflect the many ways Black women stand as the driving force behind music, entertainment, media, and business.

Join the conversation on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. For highlights and coverage from the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Music celebration, visit ESSENCE.com, download the E360 app, and subscribe to ESSENCE Magazine.

Author: Okla Jones

Read the original article on Essence.