NEW ORLEANS – The ESSENCE Festival of Culture has revealed plans for its 2026 Book Festival: ESSENCE Authors, featuring over 40 prominent literary figures. This year’s event will include book signings and discussions focusing on topics and characters from bestselling and upcoming works across various genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s literature.
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The Authors Bookstore will return following its success in 2025, showcasing a wide collection of titles by Black authors to engage guests and promote their works.
Mara Brock Akil, an award-winning showrunner and author, and Nikole Hannah-Jones, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, are set to curate the programming for ESSENCE Authors. Akil will present her debut novel, “The Revelation of Dionne Daphne,” while Hannah-Jones will facilitate discussions centering on the complexities of Black life through literature.
Among the esteemed authors scheduled to speak are Amena Brown, Arian Simone, Ashton Lattimore, Ayana Gray, Dr. Bernice King, and Jennifer E. Smith, among others.
The event will be supported by the Community Book Center, led by founder Vera “Mama Vera” Warren-Williams.
In addition to the literary lineup, former First Lady Michelle Obama will feature on the Superdome main stage for a live conversation related to her companion podcast series, IMO: The Look. The discussion will explore her personal style journey from her husband’s Senate campaign through her time as First Lady, hosted by a special guest.
Festival attendees can also look forward to musical performances from Cardi B, Kehlani, and many more renowned artists throughout the weekend.