Oprah Winfrey's OWN network hosted a star-studded cocktail party during this year's ESSENCE Music Festival. The Summer of OWN Cocktail Party, sponsored by Dove, took place at New Orleans’ Legacy Kitchen’s Craft Tavern. See all the celebrities in attendance, including Ava DuVernay, Lynn Whitfield, Essence Atkins, Merle Dandridge, Oprah's bestie, Gayle King, and many more.

(Photo credit: Courtesy of OWN/Photographer: Peter Forest)

Brely Evans (Ambitions), Alana Arenas (David Makes Man) and Akili McDowell (David Makes Man)

Angela Robinson (The Haves and the Have Nots), Merle Dandridge (Greenleaf) and Deborah Joy Winans (Greenleaf)

OWN President Tina Perry with Gayle King

Gayle King

Brely Evans and Gayle King

Lynn Whitfield (Greenleaf), Gayle King and Essence Atkins (Ambitions)

Deborah Joy Winans, Gayle King and Merle Dandridge

When They See Us and Exonerated 5 subjects Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise and Raymond Santana Jr.

Essence Atkins with Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise and Raymond Santana Jr.

QUEEN SUGAR Cast and Director:

Kofi Sirboe, Rutina Wesley, Bianca Lawson, Ava DuVernay (director), Omar Dorsey, Tina Lifford, Dawn-Lyen Gardner and Tanyell Waivers

Ava DuVernay

Dawn-Lyen Gardner

Tina Lifford

Tina Lifford and Omar Dorsey