Some of the most powerful moments at ESSENCE Fest begin with a conversation. On the ESSENCE Main Stage, our curator, Mara Brock Akil joined Sherri Shepherd for an intimate fireside chat on The Revelation of Dionne Daphne. Mara shared how writing deeply human characters has allowed her to better understand the emotional lives, resilience, and complexities of Black women. Catch the full fireside chat now on the ESSENCE YouTube channel. #ESSENCEFEST