Sundial Media & Technology Group

Our very own Amanda Butler, Chief Marketing Officer of Sundial Media & Technology Group, made her way to Martha’s Vineyard for CultureHouse and the “Protecting the Culture” conversation. From the power of Black-owned media to creating spaces where our stories, ideas and influence can thrive, the conversation explored what it takes to ensure the culture we create continues to belong to us. Protecting the culture means building a future where we have the power to tell our stories, grow our businesses and invest back into our communities. Here’s a look back at CultureHouse on the Vineyard.

Black business is about more than ownership. It’s about building the infrastructure for our communities to create, grow and thrive for generations. In recognition of Black Business Month, Sundial Media & Technology Group Founder and Executive Chair Richelieu Dennis joined Bloomberg to discuss ESSENCE Ventures’ strategic investment in REVOLT’s parent company and the importance of a stronger, more connected Black business ecosystem. See more of this powerful interview at Bloomberg.com.

Black stories have always been a source of power, preservation, and possibility. This summer, the ESSENCE Book Festival returns to ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola®, convening acclaimed authors, journalists, cultural leaders, and readers for one of the largest literary gatherings in Black culture. The Book Festival features 40+ literary voices, 35+ sessions, and 20+ book signing opportunities spanning fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, young adult, culinary, spiritual, and children's literature. This year's programming is curated by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, Founder of The North Star Books + Bar, and award-winning showrunner, producer, and author Mara Brock Akil, together guiding conversations about how Black life is documented, imagined, and passed down. The Book Festival is powered by New Orleans' beloved Community Book Center, founded by Vera "Mama Vera" Warren-Williams, and presented in partnership with Penguin Random House. July 3-5 | Ernest N. Morial Convention Center | New Orleans, Louisiana CC: Essence Communications Inc.

ESSENCE Ventures and Sundial Media & Technology Group are aware of the complaint filed by Caroline Wanga, which contain allegations that are patently false. The core allegation in the complaint is that ESSENCE failed to correct that Ms. Wanga was not directly involved in ESSENCE Festival of Culture® 2025. However, notwithstanding any obligation to make such a statement, ESSENCE made clear that she was not involved. For more than 30 years, we have shown up and done the work to build, protect, and elevate the ESSENCE Festival of Culture® because it belongs to something larger than any one person or moment. It belongs to the community of Black women and families who have made it a cherished tradition. This year, as every year, our focus remains on honoring that responsibility and delivering for the people we serve. Also, the timing of this complaint a few weeks before our festival is not lost on us. We have supported Caroline on her journey and the facts will reflect that. In short, the complaint is without merit and ESSENCE will defend itself against these baseless claims. 

At Sundial Media & Technology Group, we are proud to celebrate ESSENCE’s announcement of the 2026 Black Women in Hollywood honorees. Chase Infiniti, Kerry Washington, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, and Zinzi Coogler embody the creative excellence, leadership, and cross-industry influence shaping the future of entertainment. Under the theme Off Script, this year’s program recognizes Black women whose impact spans performance, production, visual craft, and cultural entrepreneurship. With a Luminary Spotlight honoring the women of SINNERS, the ceremony continues its legacy as a defining awards-season platform recognizing those advancing storytelling and creative leadership. March 12 | Fairmont Century Plaza #BlackWomenInHollywood #BWIH2026 #OffScript

Our Executive Chairman, Richelieu Dennis, joined Bloomberg Markets: The Close to discuss how Sundial Media & Technology Group is responding to this moment of economic transition with  the launch of WeLoveUs.shop—an economic platform designed to meet Black women founders where the market is failing them. Today’s reality is tightening capital markets and shrinking job opportunities have pushed nearly 600,000 Black women out of the workforce, even as Black women, owners of nearly 2.7 million businesses, continue to lead entrepreneurial growth while receiving just 1% of venture capital. At Sundial, this moment calls for action. Through Essence Communications Inc. and WeLoveUs.shop, we’re extending a decades-long commitment to building cultural and economic infrastructure, connecting founders to visibility, commerce, and audiences when access matters most. Thank you to Romaine Bostick, CFA and the Bloomberg News team for the thoughtful conversation. Watch the full segment here: https://lnkd.in/eb3_-E9i 

At Sundial, we are answering the moment with action. Across the country, Black women are navigating one of the toughest labor and economic periods in recent history — and today’s launch of WeLoveUs.shop powered by ESSENCE is our commitment to building real solutions. WeLoveUs.shop introduces a curated collection featuring emerging and beloved Black-owned brands across beauty, wellness, home, lifestyle, and gifting — all vetted through ESSENCE’s editorial lens. This is more than a marketplace. It’s a model built for stability, scale, and community. A direct way for consumers to invest in the women who build culture. Proud of the mission. Proud of the work. Proud of what this unlocks. We Love Us, We Buy Us. #WeLoveUs #ShopESSENCE https://weloveus.shop/

We’re proud to announce that Essence Communications Inc. and AFROPUNK Worldwide LLC have been recognized in Fast Company's 2025 Brands That Matter, honoring the brands that are shaping culture and creating meaningful emotional connections with their audiences. This recognition reflects the power of Sundial Media & Technology Group’s ecosystem and our commitment to building platforms that uplift, reflect, and invest in Black communities globally. ESSENCE continues to serve as a trusted cultural authority, amplifying the stories, creativity, and leadership of Black women for 55 years through award-winning journalism, iconic covers, and the ESSENCE Festival of Culture®, one of the largest cultural gatherings in the world. AFROPUNK remains a global force for creative expression, bringing together art, music, fashion, and activism across festivals and digital platforms that celebrate the diversity of the African diaspora. At Sundial, our mission is clear: to invest in the stories, tools, and platforms that deepen human connection and empower HER impact across our communities. Congratulations to our ESSENCE and AFROPUNK teams, and to the audiences whose stories, voices, and imagination make these brands matter. #FCBrandAwards

Sundial Media and Technology Group continues to build cultural experiences that reach audiences across platforms. This year’s ESSENCE Holiday Celebration of Joy brings together a standout lineup featuring performances by Chance The Rapper, Kierra Sheard, CeeLo Green, Amber Riley, Lena Byrd Miles, Susan Carol, and T. A. Thomas, along with family-focused segments from Shannon Thornton, Megan Piphus, Heiress Harris, VanVan, and Ms. Shirley. DC Young Fly and Kat Graham host, with reflections from DeVon Franklin and 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. Partnerships play a central role. The Coca-Cola Company, Ulta Beauty, and Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios demonstrate how brand integrations can add value without interrupting the viewing experience. Each partner shows up in intentional ways that align with the season and the creative direction of the program. ESSENCE Chief Content Officer Michele T Ghee captured the intent behind the special: “Our goal with this special was to create something that feels familiar yet fresh, a space where our community could see itself reflected through sound, storytelling, and joy.” Essence Communications Inc. Senior Lifestyle Editor Victoria Uwumarogie offers a behind-the-scenes look at the filming, giving audiences an early view of the production process. For SMTG, the special reflects how our teams collaborate with talent, storytellers, and partners to build cultural content that connects across platforms. The ESSENCE Holiday Celebration of Joy premieres November 27 at 7:00 PM ET on YouTube and ESSENCE.com. https://lnkd.in/evpvyWGd