The name has changed but the event’s the same. This year, the Essence Empowerment Seminars are known as the Essence Empowerment Experience, but the series of free talks, roundtables and interviews at the Morial Convention Center remain focused on helping African Americans, improve their lives. According to Patrik Henry Bass, Senior Editor of Essence, this year’s theme is “A Weekend of Transformation.”

The Real Housewives of Atlanta

“There will be a lot of thoughtful conversations,” Bass says. “In the age of media, these types of conversations are crucial.”

The weekend’s events range from playing Family Feud live with Steve Harvey (who Bass describes as “an iconic, phenomenal writer”), to gospel performances by singers Vanessa Bell Abrams, CeCe Winans and others, to a talk on being “Sexy, Single and Satisfied” given by Keisha Knight Pulliam, Demetria Lucas, Wendy Davis and Shirley Strawberry. There will also be a talk on the Bravo television series The Real Housewives of Atlanta with some of the housewives, examining the images of reality television.

“It is a great year from transformations and transitions,” Bass says. “We want to keep the experience fresh and relevant.” said Bass.

While the concerts in the Superdome draw the most attention, Bass says, “The Experience is to celebrate the mission of the magazine. It’s nerve-wracking [to put it together] but exciting.”

For more information on the Essence Empowerment Experience, go to EssenceMusicFestival.com.