Ava Duvernay, Zendaya celebrated at AT&Ts ‘Dream in Black Brunch’ during Essence Fest

Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay and Actress Zendaya had attendees dreaming in black and wanting more at the AT&T Dream in Black Brunch during the 25th Annual Essence Festival. The two sat down to have a candid and lively conversation with Entertainment Tonight correspondent Nischelle Turner and AT&T Communications CEO John Donovan, as well as other AT&T executives about the Dream in Black mindset, which encourages people to boldly follow their passion and share it with the world. 

Guests were transformed into a traditional New Orleans celebration complete with Southern Cuisine and a 2nd line band. Singer Brandy kicked things off by singing a medley of her hit songs, which included “I Wanna Be Down,” and “Baby.”

DuVernay shared her thoughts on why it’s important for her to create and tell Black stories. She was also given a standing ovation for her work as a director of the hit film, “When They See Us,” which tells the story of the “Exonerated Five” (formerly known as the Central Park Five).

Zendaya, who attended the brunch and festival for the first time, dazzled the crowd by expressing what Dream In Black means to her. “…As an actress I have to do my part to tell different stories especially from my viewpoint as a black woman and I think that’s so special and this is what each of us has the power to do in our creative field.” Zendaya also spoke about her roles in the blockbuster hit film Spiderman: Far from Home and the HBO show “Euphoria.”