Janelle Mon?e is Essence Magazine’s May 2013 cover girl and last night (April 6, 2013), she was honored with a private dinner hosted by the Magazine at the Mondrain Soho in NYC.

[FLASHBACK: Big Boi & Janelle Monae Behind The Scenes of “Be Still” Video Shoot… (PHOTOS/VIDEO)]

Guests at the event included: Model and Entrepreneur Iman; Celebrity Stylist June Ambrose; ESSENCE Magazine Acting Managing Editor, Vanessa Bush; Fashion Legend, Bethann Hardison; DJ Kiss; ESSENCE Magazine Editor-at-Large Emil Wilbekin, Atlantic Records executives Mike Kyser & Julie Greenwald and more.

Photos from Essence Magazine’s May 2013 cover dinner below…

Janelle & Iman

Atlantic Executive Mike Kyser & Janelle

ESSENCE Acting?Managing Editor Vanessa Bush & Janelle

Stylist June Ambrose poses with Janelle…

Just FYI, Janelle will be performing on the mainstage during the 2013 ESSENCE Festival, which will be held July 4th weekend in New Orleans.

Congrats on the cover shot Janelle!

More photos from this event… HERE

FULL PHOTO GALLERY