Each year, during the heart of Essence Festival, something deeper than celebration is happening inside the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
It’s not a party — it’s policy.
Led by civil rights attorney and strategist Alphonso David, the Global Black Economic Forum (GBEF) returns in 2025 with its largest-ever footprint: 60,000 square feet of programming across AI, democracy, health, and economic strategy. But what does it really mean to build a future for Black communities — from inside New Orleans?
We sat down with David to find out.
Reclaiming Power Through Community
David doesn’t talk in slogans — he talks in systems. A veteran of public, private, and nonprofit leadership, he brings a structural lens to every issue. And at the core of his message is a call to reclaim the politics of community.
For too long, he argues, economic mobility has been framed as an individual hustle. But in truth, individual wealth means little without shared infrastructure.
“If we think about generating wealth for ourselves without focusing on the community, we will not be able to survive.”
David challenges the myth of exceptionalism. Racism, he reminds us, doesn’t care about your salary or your zip code.
“Racism, bias, prejudice — they see through green.”
Real power, he says, comes from collective strategy: where we spend, who we support, and how we reinvest in our own.
Understanding What We Already Have
According to David, Black economic power is not something we need to invent — it’s already here. What’s missing is awareness and intention.
“We spend an extraordinary amount of money buying services and products. If we are mindful about where we’re buying, we can demonstrate our power in a way we’re not currently doing.”
But reinvestment isn’t just financial — it’s philosophical. If the community is struggling, no amount of individual gain will create long-term safety or success.
The War on Truth
As political landscapes shift, David also warns that misinformation is one of the greatest threats to civic power. In the South especially, voter suppression isn’t just about ID laws or long lines — it’s about confusion, distraction, and psychological disengagement.
“We… are disincentivized to engage in the election process.”
GBEF has responded with programming like Paint the Polls, a 10-episode series aimed at equipping voters with clarity. One episode alone reached over 200,000 viewers.
AI: The Next Literacy Test?
Technology is central to GBEF’s 2025 agenda — particularly AI and automation, which David calls both a tool and a threat.
“If we don’t understand AI, we will be left behind.”
He explains that too many in our communities either fear the tech or assume it’s not “for us.” But that hesitation is dangerous.
“Artificial intelligence should be used to inform how you do this work. There will be things you learn using it that you will not learn if you ignore it.”
David’s takeaway: we don’t need to become machines — but we do need to stay sharp in a machine-driven economy.
Essence 2025: What GBEF Is Bringing to New Orleans
This year, GBEF is making its biggest investment yet in in-person community activation. Here’s what you can expect inside the Convention Center:
- 10,000 sq. ft. Future of Health Neighborhood with screenings, education, and wellness tools
- 40+ panels featuring public officials, business leaders, and cultural voices
- Topics spanning AI, democracy, women’s health, civic power, and generational wealth
David puts it plainly: health is not a luxury. It’s a prerequisite for participation.
Why It All Happens in New Orleans
For David, New Orleans is more than a host city — it’s a symbol. He sees the city as both a cultural capital and a staging ground for systems change. GBEF’s work is about turning moments like Essence Fest into movements — spaces where policy and power can grow under the same roof as music and joy.
“We’re creating a future that will be inclusive and equitable. No one else is creating it for us.”
Don’t Miss It
Alphonso David and GBEF will be on-site all week for Essence Fest 2025.
Programming runs Friday to Sunday, 11AM–5PM at the Convention Center.
🎤 Newtral Groundz founder Brent Craige will moderate the “20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina” panel.
📺 Watch the full Alphonso David interview now on our YouTube channel.
