Friday, this year’s Essence Empowerment Experience started off with a welcome from Constance C.R. White, the new editor-in-chief of Essence Magazine. “This is my first Essence Music Festival,” White said. “I love it. I’m seeing it with fresh eyes, and I love the energy.”
Constance C. R. White
Friday’s talks were centered on the theme of “Transforming Your Life,” and they included a friendly game of Family Feud hosted by Steve Harvey, and as the afternoon progressed, speeches addressed “Healthy Love,” “How to be Sexy, Single and Satisfied” and a men’s panel. Keshia Knight Pulliam from Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and one of the speakers on the “Sexy, Single and Satisfied” panel spoke enthusiastically about her time in New Orleans and at Essence. “I always have so much fun,” she said. “It’s always a fun trip to make. There’s good food, it’s a party all day, it’s a wonderful place to have to go to work. You can play later.”
Saturday’s presentations embraced the theme of “Transforming Your Community,” Soledad O’Brien of CNN interviewed writer Terry McMillan on Love, Life and Literature. The afternoon included a panel with Dr. C. Nicole Mason, Sophia Nelson, Monique Greenwood and Louisiana Senator Karen Carter Peterson about the State of Black Women. “[The festival] is an opportunity for empowerment of African-American women,” said Peterson in an interview. “It’s a great opportunity to learn about yourself and transform yourself into something wonderful.”
She also reflected on how the festival is good for New Orleans. “A top benefit would be the economy, Peterson said. “I think the summer would probably be boring, and it would not be as fruitful for many of the businesses. [Essence publisher] Michelle Ebanks has taken the concerts and the festival to a whole other level with the production. It just keeps getting better.”
Saturday also featured a roundtable discussion “Breaking Down the Images of Reality TV” with some of the cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta—NeNe Leakes and Cynthia Bailey—along with Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada and Tami Roman from the Bravo television series Basketball Wives. The ladies discussed how they deal with the pressures of being in the spotlight and if show business dreams should be encouraged or discouraged in young people.
Sunday, the Experience took a look at “Transforming Your Soul.” The morning started off with Praise and Worship by Bishop Lester Love from Greater Antioch, The City of Love church and a performance by the New Orleans-based Ebenezer Baptist Church. There were also several performances by national R&B singers Kelly Price and Shirley Murdock, and local singer Tyronne Foster and the Arc Singers. Performances by nationally known Gospel singers Kierra Sheard, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Fred Hammond and Deitrick Haddon also took place. There were tributes to CeCe Winans Marvin Sapp as well.
At the end of the weekend, Constance C. R. White reflected on her time in New Orleans and at Essence. “I love New Orleans,” she said. “It’s my second trip; the first was in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and I came with my husband and we saw the devastation, and even then New Orleans had me in its claw. It was and is such an engaging city. The people are incredible, so much culture and warmth,” White said sweetly.
“Essence Music Fest will bring literally hundreds of millions of dollars to New Orleans. The economic benefit is huge. The city also benefits from the huge boost in engagement and confidence to move forward.”
