The 55th anniversary of ESSENCE Festival kicked off with a powerful conversation about beauty, politics, and Black identity. Marketing maven Bozoma Saint John and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett headlined “The State of Beauty” panel on the Beautycon stage. Their discussion explored how beauty intersects with politics, power, and protest for Black women across America.
Day 1 of the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture delivered an inspiring and unfiltered dialogue between two influential Black women. The panel addressed identity, authenticity, and the ongoing fight against beauty discrimination. Both speakers emphasized how beauty serves as both personal empowerment and political statement for Black women.
The conversation resonated deeply with festival attendees who cheered throughout the discussion. Saint John and Crockett’s dialogue set the tone for the festival’s commitment to celebrating Black excellence and addressing systemic issues. Their powerful exchange highlighted the intersection of personal expression and political resistance.
Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett Champions Authenticity Over Assimilation
Crockett opened the panel by emphasizing that true beauty comes from being comfortable in your own skin. “It’s all about being comfortable in your skin, no matter where you are,” she declared to the enthusiastic crowd. She directly challenged the pressure many Black women feel to conform to mainstream beauty standards.
The congresswoman traced the roots of beauty insecurity to forced assimilation throughout American history. “Assimilation is the reason so many of us have felt out of place for so long,” Crockett explained. She pointed out that society has long dictated beauty standards that excluded Black women from the definition of beautiful.
However, Crockett also celebrated Black women’s role as cultural innovators and trendsetters. “For too long, they told us what beauty looked like—and it wasn’t us. But we’ve always been the trendsetters,” she said. The audience erupted in cheers when she added, “They wouldn’t come for us if we weren’t at the top.”
Beauty Becomes Political Weapon Against Black Women in Power
Crockett, who began her beauty journey as a child model, understands how appearance can be weaponized in politics. She revealed that attacks on Black women’s appearance often signal their growing influence and power. “When they start attacking your appearance, it’s because they see your strength and power,” she observed.
The congresswoman explained that critics target superficial aspects when they cannot attack substance or capability. “That’s why they go after something so superficial,” she said, referencing the deliberate nature of appearance-based attacks. This insight highlighted the strategic use of beauty bias as a tool to undermine Black women’s authority.
Crockett also referenced the ongoing fight for legislation like the CROWN Act, which addresses hair discrimination in workplaces and schools. Her advocacy demonstrates how beauty issues translate into real policy fights that affect Black women’s economic opportunities. The connection between personal appearance and systemic discrimination became clear through her political perspective.
Beauty Industry Lacks Representation Despite Black Consumer Power
Both panelists addressed the beauty industry’s persistent lack of diverse representation in leadership and marketing. Crockett questioned whether Black professionals in beauty receive the platforms and opportunities they deserve. “There are people in the beauty world who look like us, but do they get the platforms they deserve?” she asked.
The congresswoman connected this disparity to broader American economic and social trends. “The reason the US has thrived is because we have been diverse, and now we are going backwards, so we are suffering as a whole,” she explained. Her analysis linked beauty industry discrimination to national economic decline and social regression.
Crockett emphasized Black consumers’ economic power and influence in the beauty market. “We’re the number one consumers in this country, our diversity is our superpower,” she stated. This observation highlighted the disconnect between Black spending power and industry representation, calling attention to missed opportunities for authentic inclusion.
Personal Beauty Rituals Serve as Daily Empowerment Tools
When asked about products that make them feel powerful, both women shared personal preferences that reflect their unique styles. Saint John named lipstick as her go-to confidence booster, while Crockett chose lip gloss for her daily routine. These seemingly small choices represent larger rituals of preparation and self-care.
Crockett revealed that she previously relied on eyebrow pencil before perfecting her beauty routine over time. Her evolution demonstrates how personal style develops through experimentation and confidence building. The congresswoman’s openness about her beauty journey normalized the process of finding what works individually.
Both speakers emphasized that these beauty tools serve purposes beyond aesthetics, functioning as part of preparation rituals. For Black women in high-pressure environments, makeup and styling become armor for facing daily challenges. Their discussion reframed beauty products as instruments of empowerment rather than mere vanity.
Strategic Beauty Planning Supports Professional Success
Crockett shared her strategic approach to daily beauty preparation, checking her calendar each morning to plan appropriate looks. She coordinates her hair and makeup based on scheduled meetings and appearances throughout the day. This methodical approach demonstrates how beauty choices support professional effectiveness and personal confidence.
The congresswoman has even converted a Capitol office cubby into a personal vanity space, maintaining full makeup kits both there and at home. Her staff assists with beauty touch-ups when needed, delivering makeup to committee rooms during busy days. “If I don’t get to finish my routine, my staff will deliver my makeup to the committee room,” she joked.
This level of beauty preparation reflects the additional pressures Black women face in professional settings, particularly in politics. Crockett’s strategic approach acknowledges that appearance scrutiny requires extra planning and resources. Her transparency about these realities normalized the extra work Black women perform to succeed in predominantly white spaces.
Essence Festival Celebrates Beauty as Political Power and Personal Expression
The panel’s central message positioned beauty as more than surface-level concern for Black women across America. Saint John and Crockett framed beauty as preparation, presentation, and protest rolled into one powerful tool. Their conversation elevated beauty discussions beyond traditional consumer marketing to include social justice and political resistance.
The 2025 Essence Festival reinforced that Black women’s beauty choices carry political weight and cultural significance. The festival’s platform allowed for honest discussions about discrimination while celebrating Black excellence and creativity. This balance between critique and celebration reflected the complexity of Black women’s experiences.
The festival continues through July 6, presented by Coca-Cola, with additional programming exploring culture, politics, and identity. Attendees can find more information and updates on the festival website and social media @ESSENCEFest. The beauty panel set a powerful tone for the weekend’s celebrations of Black culture and achievement.
