The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) presented the cast of “Queen Sugar” at the Essence Festival this past weekend. Over 200 key industry insiders got an opportunity to partake in a “Queen Sugar” Q&A on the festival mainstage, which was moderated by Essence entertainment director Cori Murray. The show’s creator Ava DuVernay, along with Oprah Winfrey herself, celebrated the new series with the panel discussion, as well as, a cocktail reception at Legacy Kitchen. “Queen Sugar” cast members Rutina Wesley, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Kofi Siriboe, Omar Dorsey, Tina Lifford, Dondre Whitfield, Nicholas Ashe and Bianca Lawson graced the red carpet at the reception, followed by DuVernay, Gayle King and Ms. Winfrey herself. Other notables in the building were Lynn Whitfield (“Greenleaf”), Tina Knowles Lawson, Richard Lawson, “The Real” hosts Adrienne Bailon, Loni Love and Jeannie Mai; singer Lalah Hathaway; “Love Thy Neighbor” cast Patrice Lovely and Darmirra Brunson; “Survivor’s Remorse” cast Tichina Arnold, Jessie T. Usher, Erica Ash andAllen Maldonado; “POWER” cast Lela Loren and Joseph Sikora; “Real Housewives of Atlanta” cast Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker; broadcast journalist/producer Soledad O’Brien, Bozoma Saint John (Head of Global Consumer Marketing, Apple Music & iTunes); Mona Scott-Young (Monami Entertainment); Stevie J (“Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta”); “Married to Medicine” cast Dr. Heavenly, Mariah Huq and Lisa Nicole Cloud; Gocha Hawkins(“LA Hair”), Tameka Foster, American Idol’s La’Porsha Renae and many more. “Queen Sugar” will debut as a two-night event on Tuesday, September 6 and Wednesday, September 7 at 10PM ET/PT on OWN. The series will regularly air Wednesday nights at 10PM ET/PT for the remainder of its 13-episode first season. Photo credit: OWN/Mariana Sheppard
