At the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans, a vibrant discussion unfolded around a tool that’s already changing lives: artificial intelligence. Experts from various fields gathered to explore how AI is enhancing health and beauty within Black communities.
Josette Gbemudu, Associate Vice President of Patient Health Innovation at Merck & Co., set the tone by saying, “AI is here — let’s not be afraid of it.” Speaking at the panel titled “Artificial Intelligence: What You Need To Know To Prepare For The Future And Now,” she highlighted AI’s growing role in enabling early diagnosis and crafting personalised treatment plans. With statistics like a 40% higher breast cancer mortality rate among Black women, her call to action was clear: use AI’s insights to take better control of our health.
Chike Aguh, Senior Advisor to Project Workforce at Harvard, moderated the session, drawing an interesting parallel between today’s AI developments and the early internet days of the 1990s. He acknowledged that while AI comes with its share of risks, it also opens up a world of opportunity, reminding us that we hold the power to shape the future.
On the beauty side, Rahquel Purcell, Chief Transformation Officer at L’Oréal North America, explained how AI is refining beauty experiences by analysing skin health and hair characteristics. She reassured the audience that AI won’t replace human jobs; instead, it’s set to transform how we work, offering significant benefits to those ready to adapt to new ways of operating.
Esosa Osa, founder of Onyx Impact, wrapped up the discussion by addressing concerns over AI perpetuating systemic biases. By showcasing her organisation’s work on “Aisha”—an AI assistant rooted in Black culture and history—she urged us to build our own systems, emphasising that if we don’t, others might build them for us or even against us.
This session was a straightforward call to engage with AI responsibly and proactively. By understanding and leveraging its potential, we can help shape a future where health, beauty, and beyond reflect the needs and strengths of our communities.
