Name: Time of Essence
Released: 2023-08-18T00:00:00.000Z

TV Show · Documentary · Music

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.

2023 · 41m

EPISODE 1

Chapter One: The 1970s

At the dawn of the '70s, as Black women yearn for representation in media and politics, the legendary Essence magazine is born.
EPISODE 2

Chapter Two: The 1980s

In the '80s, Essence works to portray Black women accurately, fighting the "welfare queen" stereotype, while also dealing with internal strife.
EPISODE 3

Chapter Three: The 1990s

In the '90s, Black women are embracing their power, and Essence is soaring. But Essence misses the mark on a cultural movement they didn't see coming.
EPISODE 4

Chapter Four: The 2000s

In the 2000s, Black women are driving culture, but a takeover by Time Inc. begins to alienate the very demographic Essence was created to empower.
EPISODE 5

Chapter Five: The 2010s to the Future

In the 2010s, Essence is buried in a sea of Time Inc. publications, and the company's resilience is tested, but change is on the horizon.