%20copy.png)
NMA Region V Essence Fest 2025
In partnership with Biogen, NMA Region V presented a dynamic three‑day experience at the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans, blending health education with one of the nation’s most influential cultural celebrations. Designed to inspire, inform, and engage, the activation brought together healthcare professionals, thought leaders, advocates, and festivalgoers around meaningful dialogue on health equity, wellness, and community empowerment. Against the vibrant backdrop of ESSENCE’s celebration of Black culture and empowerment, programming included expert‑led panels, interactive conversations, wellness insights, and community‑centered sessions focused on advancing health outcomes and reducing disparities. Attendees had the opportunity to explore health topics alongside cultural experiences, connecting the pursuit of wellbeing with celebration and social impact during this iconic festival weekend.
Videos
Health Meets Culture: NMA Region V at Essence Fest 2025
This video captures the NMA Region V x Biogen experience at the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans—a three-day activation focused on advancing health equity through culture, conversation, and community. Set within one of the nation’s largest celebrations of Black excellence, the event featured expert panels, wellness sessions, and dynamic dialogue with healthcare leaders and festivalgoers. From meaningful insights to moments of celebration, this highlight reel showcases the intersection of health and culture in action.
Biogen: Unmasking Lupus
This video highlights Biogen’s role in the NMA Region V experience at ESSENCE Festival 2025 in New Orleans. As a key sponsor, Biogen helped power a weekend of expert panels, wellness sessions, and community dialogue focused on health equity. From on-site activations to meaningful conversations, the video showcases Biogen’s commitment to empowering underserved communities and advancing access to care through culture, connection, and education.
Radiant and Resilient: Empower Women to Thrive Beyond Cancer
Moderated by Layla Odom from *BET’s Fatima, this panel presented by the American Cancer Society at the NMA Region V × Biogen activation during ESSENCE Festival 2025 focused on empowering women affected by cancer to live with strength and confidence beyond diagnosis. Through heartfelt stories, expert insights, and practical guidance, the discussion highlighted resilience, survivorship, and the importance of support systems in helping women thrive throughout and after their cancer journeys.
Invisible No More: Amplifying Women’s Voices in Rare Disease
Presented by Vertex at ESSENCE Festival 2025, this panel highlighted the unique challenges women face with rare diseases and the importance of elevating their stories within research, care, and advocacy. Expert voices and lived experiences came together to shed light on overlooked conditions, promote awareness, and empower women to advocate for equitable diagnosis, treatment, and support.
Sensual, Sexual, and Safe: Reclaiming Womanhood Through Sexual Wellness
Presented by ViiV Healthcare and moderated by Dr. Yolanda Lawson, this empowering panel at ESSENCE Festival 2025 explored how sexual wellness is essential to women’s health and identity. Through open dialogue and expert insights, the session encouraged women to embrace their sensuality, prioritize safety, and take ownership of their sexual health with confidence and care.
Photos
Interviews
Community First: ViiV Healthcare’s Commitment to Health Equity
In this interview, Alfton Dyson, PharmD shares how ViiV Healthcare is advancing health equity through community partnerships and better outcomes for those impacted by HIV—filmed at ESSENCE Fest 2025.
Empowered Voices: Reclaiming Womanhood with ViiV Healthcare
This video captures key moments and interviews from ViiV Healthcare’s panel at ESSENCE Fest 2025, highlighting powerful conversations on sexual wellness and women’s empowerment.
Vertex at ESSENCE: Elevating Women in Rare Disease
Dr. Melissa Walker and Dr. Margaret Collins of Vertex discuss their ESSENCE Fest panel and the importance of amplifying women’s voices in rare disease care and advocacy.
Thriving Beyond Cancer: ACS at ESSENCE Fest 2025
This interview captures insights from the American Cancer Society’s panel at ESSENCE Fest 2025, where speakers shared powerful stories and strategies for helping women live fully beyond cancer.