(BPRW) ESSENCE Announces Departure of Michelle Ebanks From CEO Role | Press releases

(BPRW) ESSENCE Announces Departure of Michelle Ebanks From CEO Position

– Ebanks Will Be a part of the Board of Essence Ventures, Parent Company of ESSENCE – – Research Introduced for New CEO – – Richelieu Dennis, Founder & Chair of Essence Ventures, to Direct in the Interim –

(Black PR Wire) NEW YORK–(Small business WIRE)– ESSENCE, the selection 1 media, technology and commerce business serving Black gals, today introduced that Michelle Ebanks, Main Government Officer of Essence Communications, Inc., will stage down from the part of CEO as of March 31, 2020 to pursue other possibilities and to sign up for the board of Essence Ventures, guardian business of ESSENCE. In her board potential, Ebanks will suggest on strategic partnerships and new expansion possibilities, which include the growth of a diversity and inclusion capability that supports the development of people of coloration in the office. ESSENCE has commenced a look for for her successor, and Ebanks will aid with the changeover and look for method. In the course of the changeover time period, Richelieu Dennis, founder & chairman of Essence Ventures, will have direct oversight of the business, operating intently with its senior management staff on continued transformation and strategy execution.

“When I joined ESSENCE, I could not have imagined this amazing journey and how it would change me as a individual and as a leader,” reported Ebanks. “I will normally be grateful for the chance, but most importantly for the effects that ESSENCE carries on to have on tens of millions of Black gals globally. Since I commenced, my priority has been to posture ESSENCE for its following section, and we’ve performed that. The brand name has been reestablished as one hundred% Black-owned and is well-positioned for continued good results through what is a remarkable time of transformation and reinvention.”

Ebanks continued, “Richelieu is strongly fully commited to ESSENCE’s mission of serving Black gals deeply – as well as empowering equality, investing in local community and growing ESSENCE into the world media, technology and commerce enterprise that it has normally had the prospective to be. About the earlier pair of a long time, I’ve normally identified as ESSENCE a fifty-yr-outdated start off-up, with a richness of legacy and poised to leverage new and unrestricted chance in methods never ever performed just before. As the brand name celebrates its 50th Anniversary this yr, I am as thrilled to see what the potential retains for the following fifty a long time.”

Ebanks, who has been at the helm of ESSENCE because 2001, has emerged as a foremost authority on gals, the multicultural industry and a passionate brand name steward. She led ESSENCE’s changeover to a multi-media brand name and architected its cross-platform growth and diversification – assisting to information ESSENCE into a powerhouse comprising digital, video clip, television and experiential. Beneath Ebanks’ management, the ESSENCE Pageant of Society grew to come to be the world’s biggest cultural, tunes, leisure and empowerment practical experience – liable for additional than $4 billion in financial effects because it commenced. The Pageant marked its 25th anniversary in 2019 and routinely draws in additional than 500,000 global attendees in excess of July 4th weekend.

“There are not sufficient text to convey the gratitude, recognition and admiration that we have for every thing Michelle has introduced to ESSENCE in excess of just about 20 a long time – her vision, her management, her advocacy, and her resolve,” reported Dennis. “We worth her commitment to uplifting and empowering our local community, as well as to making a productive enterprise with an unmatched staff of gals executives who are main the way. We are thrilled to continue to function alongside her on the board of Essence Ventures as we open up new possibilities, entry, skills and options for Black gals and people of coloration in the most participating, authentic and modern methods attainable. This is only the commencing.”

About Essence Communications Inc. Essence Communications is the selection 1 media, technology and commerce business focused to Black gals and inspires a world audience of additional than 20 million through varied storytelling and immersive unique material. With a multi-platform existence in publishing, experiential and on-line, ESSENCE encompasses its signature magazine digital, video clip and social platforms television specials textbooks as well as reside occasions, which include Black Girls in Tunes, Black Girls in Hollywood, Street Design and the ESSENCE Pageant. Essence Communications is owned by Essence Ventures, an unbiased Black-owned, purchaser technology business concentrated on merging material, local community and commerce to satisfy the evolving cultural and life style needs of people of coloration.

Watch source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/property/20200309005667/en/