This documentary series highlights the ways Essence has informed and reflected Black culture in America over the past 50 years with firsthand commentary from the icons and trailblazers, never-before-seen footage and exclusive behind-the-scenes moments.
Cast: Caroline Wanga
HDCC
Season 1
5 episodes
1. Chapter One: The 1970sAt the dawn of the '70s, as Black women yearn for representation in media and politics, Essence magazine is born. During this turbulent era, while there are wars on the outside for the soul of America, there are also battles taking place within Essence.CC42minAug 18, 2023
2. Chapter Two: The 1980sIn the 1980s, Black women are thriving both personally and professionally, yet President Reagan's "welfare queen" stereotype poisons America's perception. Essence works tirelessly to portray Black women accurately while also dealing with internal turmoil.CC41minAug 25, 2023
3. Chapter Three: The 1990sIn the 1990s, Essence subscribership is soaring, and the team fearlessly embraces hard-hitting stories about the power of Black women. But with this success comes competition, and Essence misses the mark on a cultural movement they didn't see coming.CC41minSep 1, 2023
4. Chapter Four: The 2000sIn the early 2000s, Black women are driving culture, but is their magazine losing its way? A takeover by the predominantly white-led media giant Time Inc. alters the DNA of the magazine, alienating some of the demographic Essence was created to empower.CC42minSep 8, 2023
5. Chapter Five: 2010 OnwardsIn the 2010s, Essence is a household name but is buried in a vast library of Time Inc. publications. Change is on the horizon when Essence is brought back into Black ownership, but external challenges and internal issues test the company's resilience.CC42minSep 15, 2023
Time of Essence
20231 season5 episodesEnded
This documentary series highlights the ways Essence has informed and reflected Black culture in America over the past 50 years with firsthand commentary from the icons and trailblazers, never-before-seen footage and exclusive behind-the-scenes moments.
Creators and cast
- Cast
- Caroline Wanga
- Studio
- 51 Minds Entertainment, Essence Studios
