Essence Atkins

Essence Atkins

Keynote Speaker: Actress; Director

  • Speaking Fee:
    Live Event Fee: $10,000 - $20,000
    Virtual Event Fee: $10,000 - $20,000
    More Fee Info
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Essence Atkins Biography

Essence Atkins is an accomplished American actress and producer whose career spans over three decades in television and film. Born on February 7, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York, she began her acting journey with guest appearances on popular sitcoms like The Cosby Show and Family Matters. Her breakout role came in 1997 as Tasha Yvette Henderson on the WB sitcom Smart Guy.

Atkins is best known for her portrayal of Dee Dee Thorne in the UPN series Half & Half (2002–2006), a performance that earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination. She continued to showcase her comedic talents in TBS's Are We There Yet? (2010–2013) and NBC's Marlon (2017–2018), both of which highlighted her versatility and appeal.

In film, Atkins has appeared in a variety of genres, including comedies like How High (2001), Deliver Us from Eva (2003), and the parody films A Haunted House (2013) and its sequel (2014). Her recent work includes a leading role in a holiday movie for BET+, Queens of Christmas (2024), where she stars alongside longtime friends and co-stars Vanessa Bell Calloway and Terri J. Vaughn. Atkins described the experience as a "full circle moment," reflecting on her early career and enduring relationships in the industry.

Beyond her on-screen accomplishments, Atkins is a mother to her son, Varro, born on December 25, 2011. She continues to be a prominent figure in entertainment, known for her engaging performances and commitment to storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Essence Atkins and other top speakers and celebrities.

Essence Atkins Videos

Essence Atkins Learned to Love and Embrace Her Own Essence ...
Essence Atkins Chooses Abstinence | Sherri Shepherd - YouTube
Essence Atkins Talks Career Success & Her Leap Of Faith In ...

How do I book Essence Atkins to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Essence Atkins for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Essence Atkins, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Essence Atkins or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Essence Atkins for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Essence Atkins, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Essence Atkins are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Essence Atkins, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Essence Atkins speak about?

Essence Atkins is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Diversity & Inclusion, Black Heritage, Black History Month, Cancer, Women, Women's Health, Youth, Social Activism, Celebrity and Actors.

Who is the agent for Essence Atkins?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Essence Atkins for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Essence Atkins for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Essence Atkins or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Essence Atkins is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Diversity & Inclusion, Black Heritage and Black History Month. The estimated speaking fee range to book Essence Atkins for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Essence Atkins can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Robin Givens, LisaRaye McCoy and Dorothy Roberts. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Essence Atkins for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/05/2025.

Essence Atkins Videos

Essence Atkins Learned to Love and Embrace Her Own Essence ...
Essence Atkins Chooses Abstinence | Sherri Shepherd - YouTube
Essence Atkins Talks Career Success & Her Leap Of Faith In ...
Sister Circle | Actress Essence Atkins On Kindness, Motherhood and ...

Essence Atkins News

  • Rickey Smiley, Essence Atkins Hosting

    TV One will premiere the 21st Annual Trumpet Awards, hosted by TV and Radio One personality Rickey Smiley and actress Essence Atkins on Easter Sunday, ...

  • How do I book Essence Atkins to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Essence Atkins for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Essence Atkins, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Essence Atkins or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Essence Atkins for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Essence Atkins, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Essence Atkins are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Essence Atkins, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Essence Atkins speak about?

    Essence Atkins is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Diversity & Inclusion, Black Heritage, Black History Month, Cancer, Women, Women's Health, Youth, Social Activism, Celebrity and Actors.
  • Who is the agent for Essence Atkins?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Essence Atkins for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Essence Atkins for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Essence Atkins or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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ESSENCE ATKINS

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