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    While United States Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey joined the Global Black Economic Forum’s (GBEF) Business Summit and Public Convention during the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, helping shape conversations about politics, democracy and economic justice, his reflections on love revealed what has shaped his decades-long career in public service. 

    Senator Cory Booker speaks during the Global Black Economic Forum Business Summit at the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans. (Photography by Jorge Meza)

    Booker was one of many elected officials who saw the importance of being in New Orleans for the largest celebration of African American culture and music in the U.S. On July 2, he joined Illinois Lieutenant Governor and Democratic Nominee for U.S. Senate Juliana Stratton for a conversation about how leaders can govern with equity and accountability to build durable political power for Black communities beyond a single election season. 

    “We have an obligation to begin to demand more — a bigger moral imagination for who we can be together,” said Booker during his segment at the GBEF Business Summit. “The larger community in America needs to understand that there has not been a point in American history when Black people – whether in the labor or suffrage movement – have not been at the center of a fight. And when Black people win, America wins as a whole.” 

    Since President Donald Trump took office, the past 18 months have been defined by a series of issues that have largely affected Black people across the nation. The Black unemployment rate remains the highest of any racial group at 6.6 percent, federal and private-sector funding cuts stripped resources from diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, and most recently, protections under the Voting Rights Act continue to be dismantled. 

    As America commemorated its 250th year anniversary, Booker’s message of love and hope illustrated why he continues to show up for his constituents in New Jersey and for Americans across the country. “Everything that I am comes from the conspiracy of love amidst my ancestors – people who loved through pain, hardship, wretchedness, cruelty and viciousness,” said Booker. “They never stopped loving – and I spring from that.” 

    Over the past 20 years, Booker has served as a public official beginning on Newark’s City Council, then as mayor and now as one of the few Black leaders in the U.S. Senate. During his conversation with ESSENCE, he reflected on a lesson of love and hope from a Black woman in his neighborhood that has guided his approach to leadership since moving to Newark’s Central Ward. 

    Beyond his role as a senator, Booker shares how he serves in love as a newlywed husband. “I am a devotee of love and I cherish her.” In December, Booker’s love for Alexis Lewis, the real estate investment professional became official after the announcement of their marriage was shared publicly. 

    “To be loved by someone who is as generous with every inch of their being has been the greatest gift,” said Lewis. “The way Cory bleeds compassion [for the country] has been inspiring for me, too.” 

    Before concluding his weekend with ESSENCE, he joined in conversation with Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) President and CEO Nicole Austin-Hillery on the GBEF stage. 

    “We may be weary, but we will get back to work,” said Booker. “Yet again, when this nation is lunging off the path of democracy, we will save this country and get it back on track to make sure that our tomorrows are better than our yesterdays.” 

    Booker’s full coverage at GBEF’s Summit and Public Convention during the ESSENCE Festival of Culture weekend are available online. 

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