Plot Synopsis

TIME OF ESSENCE is a five-part, one-hour documentary series that celebrates "Essence," the magazine that reaches a global community of over 20 million Black women. The series tells the story of how "Essence" has informed and reflected Black culture in America for over 50 years. Each episode explores a different decade -- from the '70s to today -- and features first-hand commentary on that era's biggest moments from the icons, trailblazers, staffers and leaders who lived and defined them. This candid commentary is coupled with never-before-seen footage and exclusive behind-the-scenes moments from the worlds of entertainment, sports, politics, fashion and beauty. Thought leaders, celebrities and culture defining influencers featured in the series include Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Vanessa Williams, Halle Berry, Whoopi Goldberg, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Regina Hall, Taye Diggs, Sunny Hostin, producer and former president of Motown Productions Suzanne de Passe, fashion model and icon Beverly Johnson, Johnson's daughter Anansa Sims, "Essence" magazine editor Mikki Taylor, long-time Editor and Chief Susan L. Taylor, and current President and CEO Caroline Wanga. Episodes include:

"Chapter One: The 1970s" (Friday, August 18, 2023): At the dawn of the '70s, as Black women yearn for representation in media and politics, Essence magazine is born. During this turbulent era, while there are wars on the outside for the soul of America, there are also battles taking place within Essence.

"Chapter Two: The 1980s" (Friday, August 25, 2023): In the 1980s, Black women are thriving both personally and professionally, yet President Reagan's "welfare queen" stereotype poisons America's perception. Essence works tirelessly to portray Black women accurately while also dealing with internal turmoil.

"Chapter Three: The 1990s" (Friday, September 1, 2023): In the 1990s, Essence subscribership is soaring, and the team fearlessly embraces hard-hitting stories about the power of Black women. But with this success comes competition, and Essence misses the mark on a cultural movement they didn't see coming.

"Chapter Four: The 2000s" (Friday, September 8, 2023): In the early 2000s, Black women are driving culture, but is their magazine losing its way? A takeover by the predominantly white-led media giant Time Inc. alters the DNA of the magazine, alienating some of the demographic Essence was created to empower.

"Chapter Five: The 2010s to the Future" (Friday, September 15, 2023): In the 2010s, Essence is a household name but is buried in a vast library of Time Inc. publications. Change is on the horizon when Essence is brought back into Black ownership, but external challenges and internal issues test the company's resilience.