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Former Essence Fest CEO files suit over backlash from failed 2025 event
Posted on 6/13/26 at 11:39 am
Posted on 6/13/26 at 11:39 am
quote:
The former CEO of Essence Ventures has claimed in a lawsuit that the leadership of the Essence Festival of Culture failed to properly defend her from criticism for last year's issue-ridden event, an allegation that Essence ownership called "baseless."
Caroline Wanga stepped down as Essence Ventures' chief executive in March 2025 after an extended medical leave but agreed with the company not to publicly announce the separation until after that year's festival in July, according to a lawsuit Wanga filed Thursday in New York state court seeking unspecified damages for defamation from Essence Ventures and Sundial Media & Technology Group.The three-day event — which Wanga said she had no role in planning or producing — ultimately faced public criticism for its concert series at the Caesars Superdome, which ran well behind schedule, and its decision to partner with Target, which at the time was the subject of a widely publicized boycott.
Because Wanga's departure hadn't been announced, the lawsuit says she "was blamed by the public for the failure of the festival and faced significant backlash, including threats directed towards her and lies spread widely about her."
quote:
Wanga, who was born in Kenya, was named the CEO of Essence Ventures in 2020. In the lawsuit, she said she also faced online vitriol from some festival attendees over the introduction of "Pan-African culture" into last year's programming and was unfairly blamed for the festival's partnership with Target, where she worked before taking over at Essence Ventures.
Wanga's lawsuit accuses Essence Ventures and Sundial Media of "defamation by implication," arguing that the statement announcing her departure was technically true but conveyed a false and defamatory suggestion.
quote:
The lawsuit claims that Wanga has suffered "significant reputational, economic and emotional damage," including the loss of at least $250,000 worth of consulting work.
NOLA.com
14
Posted on 6/13/26 at 11:42 am to TigerintheNO
What's wrong with Pan-African?
Seriously asking.
Seriously asking.
Posted on 6/13/26 at 11:43 am to TigerintheNO
Posted on 6/13/26 at 11:46 am to TigerintheNO
Posted on 6/13/26 at 11:47 am to TigerintheNO
quote:
Caroline Wanga
quote:
chief executive
quote:
Essence Ventures'
Posted on 6/13/26 at 11:49 am to SallysHuman
quote:
Seriously aksing.
Posted on 6/13/26 at 11:52 am to TigerintheNO
quote:
Wanga's lawsuit accuses Essence Ventures and Sundial Media of "defamation by implication,"
Posted on 6/13/26 at 11:53 am to Srbtiger06
They want the “essence” of bbq, malt liquor, weed, and music not a tribal dance from the people of Kenya
Posted on 6/13/26 at 11:55 am to TigerintheNO
We need Essence programs
Posted on 6/13/26 at 11:56 am to TigerintheNO
(no message)
This post was edited on 6/13/26 at 11:57 am
Posted on 6/13/26 at 12:10 pm to TigerintheNO
If they would stop calling it culture and call bad behavior out, there would not be a problem
Posted on 6/13/26 at 12:26 pm to TigerintheNO
Wanga, please.
Posted on 6/13/26 at 12:29 pm to Bard
I'm guessing Wanga is from wakanda
Posted on 6/13/26 at 12:47 pm to TigerintheNO
Maybe some midnight basketball would help the event
Posted on 6/13/26 at 12:59 pm to ThroughThickAndThin
quote:
'm guessing Wanga is from wakanda
full name
Wanga Danga Sweet Poontanga
Posted on 6/13/26 at 12:59 pm to jmarto1
quote:they still probably will have two acts left at that time
Maybe some midnight basketball would help the event
Posted on 6/13/26 at 1:47 pm to TigerintheNO
It’s entertaining to watch two parties with no accountability attempt to hold each other accountable.
Posted on 6/13/26 at 2:40 pm to TigerintheNO
Why do they even have this “festival”….is this the proverbial… pot calling the kettle black:)
Posted on 6/13/26 at 3:12 pm to TigerintheNO
Go ahead woke idiots and keep ignoring this issue. We can’t coexist.
Posted on 6/13/26 at 4:01 pm to TigerintheNO
dressed like that you can't sue anyone for saying they hurt you or didn't defend you. 
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