In addition to the nighttime music offerings, Essence Fest always hosts a three-day long set of “empowerment” seminars during the daytime. Today, Essence announced four additions to this year’s Empowerment Experience lineup: CNN’s Anderson Cooper, The View‘s Sherri Shepherd, actor Laz Alonso, and writer Sophia Nelson.
The theme for this year’s Essence Empowerment Experience is “Transformation”. All seminars are free to the public and held in the Convention Center. Here’s the full lineup:
Friday, July 1: “Transforming Your Life”
“Family Feud” auditions with show producers and live segments hosted by Steve Harvey
“Conversation with Sherri Shepherd and Demetria L. Lucas”, led by an Essence editor
Keynote address: Iyanla Vanzant
Keynote address: “Choose Love” by Phill Wilson
“Terry McMillan Presents”, featuring authors Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts, Dolen Perkins-Valdez, Danielle Evans and Tayari Jones
“Reel Men on Real Love”, featuring Laz Alonso, Terrence J., Lamman Rucker and Thompson Young
Saturday, July 2: “Transforming Your Community”
“Conversation with Steve Harvey”, led by Soledad O’Brien
“America I Am: The African-American Imprint”, hosted by Tavis Smiley, featuring Dr. Cornel West, Iyanla Vanzant, Tom Burrell and Jeff Henderson
“Conversation With Terry McMillan”, led by Soledad O’Brien
Keynote Address – Rev. Al Sharpton
“Black in America: Historically Black College and University Discussion”, moderated by Soledad O’Brien
“State of Black Women”, moderated by Essence Editor-in-Chief Constance White, featuring Dr. C. Nicole Mason, Sophia Nelson, Louisiana State Senator Karen Carson Peterson
“Women of Reality TV”, moderated by Anderson Cooper, featuring the leading women of reality television including: NeNe Leakes, Cynthia Bailey, Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada and Tami Roman
Sunday, July 3: “Transforming Your Soul”
“All-Star Gospel Salute” featuring CeCe Winans and Marvin Sapp
A full-day of praise and worship, with performances by Kierra Sheard, Deitrick Haddon and Dr. Juanita Bynum, Kelly Price, Tyronne Foster and the Arc Singers, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and Fred Hammond
Opening/Closing Prayer by Bishop Lester Love
