ESSENCE kicked off GRAMMY® weekend with its 9th annual Black Women In Music event held at New York City’s Highline Ballroom. The event featured a surprise appearance by five-time GRAMMY winner Janet Jackson, who presented Essence’s 2018 Back Women in Music honor to four-time GRAMMY winner Missy Elliott. The evening featured performances from Rapsody, whose album Laila’s Wisdom is nominated for two GRAMMY® Awards, as well as recording artist, producer, director and visionary Leikeli47. 

Other attendees included Danielle Brooks, Tarana Burke, Kaia Burke, Lil’ Mo, Sharaya J , Elle Varner, Broderick Hunter, Teyonah Parris, Jonathan Fernandez , MC Lyte, Ty Hunter, Mona Scott-Young, “Legendary Dam” Peruzzi, Kid Fury, Reginald Calloway, Slick Rick, Anita Wilson, Jimmy Jam, Daniel Caesar, MAJOR, Justine Skye, Lion Babe, Jessie Woo, Rapsody, Elijah Boothe, Phoebe Robinson, PJ Morton, Ericka Pittman, Janelle Monae, T.I., Vanessa De Luca, Michelle Ebanks, June Ambrose, Remy Ma, Victory Boyd, LaQuan Smith, Robin Thede, Ella Mai, Shari Loeffler, Leikeli47, Naturi Naughton , Yandy Smith, Alex B., Tank, Kap G., Tokyo Jetz, Fabolous , Misa Hylton , Claire Sulmers, Anthony Hamilton , Marsha Ambrosius, Erick Sermon, DJ Diamond, Dylan Dili, Alexe Belle, Isis Valentino , Alicia Quarles, Deion Smith and Dia Simms.