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The 2024 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit celebrated a significant five-year milestone in its hometown of Atlanta. This year’s event brought together culture-shifters, future innovators, and trailblazers who are redefining power, breaking barriers, and amplifying their voices.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 12: A view of the atmosphere during the 2024 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit on October 12, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit)

From social activism to entrepreneurship, the summit showcased the future led by bold and unapologetic Black girls and women.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 12: (L-R) Rechelle Dennis and MiAsia Symone speak onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit on October 12, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit)

Hosted by radio personality MiAsia Symone and featuring music from Hourglass, the day was filled with empowerment, creativity, and open conversations. Here’s a recap of the highlights:

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 12: Serena Page speaks onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit on October 12, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit)

Serena Page define what it means to be a boss, Serena made her first solo appearance since winning Season 6 of Love Island and capturing the hearts of her fans. She shared valuable insights on leadership and how to navigate spaces that aren’t always designed for us. By the end of her talk, the audience felt seen, heard, and inspired to elevate their own journeys.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 12: (L-R) Reyna Roberts, Amber Riley and Lady London speak onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit on October 12, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit)

Amber Riley, Reyna Roberts, and Lady London delivered a fireside chat that was both candid and inspiring. They discussed their journeys through the entertainment industry, highlighting how they’ve managed to stay authentic while balancing fame, artistry, and self-care.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 12: (L-R) Yolanda Renee King and Lynae Vanee attend the 2024 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit on October 12, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit)

Lynae Vanee and Yolanda Renee Kingsparked an engaging discussion with On the Ballot, motivating young voters to not only participate but also to influence political narratives. With an increasing number of young Black women leading movements and making their voices heard at the polls, this conversation underscored the importance of political engagement in shaping cultural outcomes.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 12: Rechelle Dennis attends the 2024 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit on October 12, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit)

Rechelle Dennis, Sophia Dennis, Malik McIntyre, Deandre Brown, and Raymonte Cole showed how today’s Black Gen-Z entrepreneurs are redefining success with the Partner in Prime series, showing how today’s Black Gen-Z entrepreneurs are redefining success.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 12: (L-R) DeAndre Brown and Raymonte Cole speak onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit on October 12, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit)

The discussion focused on building businesses while cultivating personal relationships, reflecting the importance of personal and professional growth.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 12: (L-R) Kayla Nicole, Raven Tracy, Alicia Scott and Haile Rose attend the 2024 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit on October 12, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit)

Haile Rose, Raven Tracy, Kayla Nicole, and Alicia Scott highlighted the emergence of social media as a powerful tool for transforming personal brands into influential businesses. For Black Gen-Z women, who actively use their platforms to advocate, educate, and inspire, this session served as a masterclass in monetizing authenticity.

Architects of the Next Era, presented by AT&T with Kaylin Strahan, Kamina Griffin and Jaz Turner,highlighted HBCUs that are leveraging their creative passions to shape culture. This conversation explored how Black Gen-Z women are using their creativity—from fashion to the arts—to drive meaningful change across various industries, showcasing their impact on both mainstream and subcultures.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 12: Laila! performs onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit on October 12, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit)

Laila! capped off the day on a high note—literally! The multi-talented singer and producer delivered a fantastic performance featuring hits from her debut project, perfectly concluding a day dedicated to empowerment and self-expression.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 12: A view of the atmosphere during the 2024 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit on October 12, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit)

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 12: Guests attend the 2024 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit on October 12, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit)

This year’s summit was about more than just the speakers—the networking atmosphere was unparalleled, bringing together creators, dreamers, and doers eager to collaborate and make things happen. Speed Mentoring and GU Office Hours provided attendees with direct access to industry executives, influencers, and creators, reflecting Gen-Z’s preference for collaborative mentorship over traditional hierarchies, with representatives from Atlantic Records, Atlanta Hawks, Meta, and L’Oréal participating.

Additionally, Girls Make Beats offered live demonstrations on music production, facilitating direct connections between aspiring producers and industry leaders.