Beauty as Identity and Power
Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Bozoma Saint John opened the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture with truth, passion, and purpose. Their panel, “The State of Beauty,” launched Beautycon’s main stage with a powerful message. It was not just about makeup and trends—it was about freedom, identity, and pride.
Crockett told the audience that beauty starts with feeling confident in your skin. She challenged the pressure to “fit in” with traditional beauty standards. “They told us what beauty looked like—and it wasn’t us,” she said. “But we’ve always been the trendsetters.” Bozoma nodded in agreement as the crowd erupted with applause.
Politics Meets Beauty at Essence Festival
The conversation went deeper than appearance. Crockett shared how beauty is often used against powerful Black women in politics. “When they attack your looks, it’s because they fear your strength,” she said. She called out unfair beauty standards and praised the fight for the CROWN Act, which protects against hair discrimination.
As a leader in both politics and beauty, Crockett questioned who really gets seen in the industry. “People who look like us are in beauty spaces,” she said, “but do they get the platforms they deserve?” She warned that ignoring diversity hurts everyone. “Our diversity is our superpower.”
Beauty Tools as Power Symbols
When asked about their favorite beauty tools, Saint John picked lipstick. Crockett chose lip gloss. “I used to live by an eyebrow pencil,” Crockett laughed, “but I finally figured out my full routine.” They agreed that these small items help prepare them for the world—like armor before battle.
For Crockett, beauty is a daily plan. She chooses her look based on her meetings. Sometimes, her staff even brings her makeup to the committee room. “I treat beauty like strategy,” she said. “It’s part of how I lead.”
Beauty as Protest, Power, and Pride
The crowd at Essence Fest heard a bold message: Black beauty is not just style—it’s a statement. Whether in Congress or on camera, Black women are owning their space. “We’re the number one consumers in this country,” said Crockett. “We’re the force behind what sells and what shines.”
Together, Crockett and Saint John reminded us that beauty is protest, beauty is preparation, and beauty is ours. The Essence Festival of Culture continues through July 6, and its first day left the crowd feeling seen, heard, and deeply inspired.
