New Orleans, or more distinctly, the Essence Music Festival, was the place to be during the 4th of July weekend.
Click here to see photo gallery.
The
festival, a weekend-long event, celebrates the African-American culture. This
year the EMF celebrated it 17th anniversary as the nation’s largest
annual African-American cultural event.
“This
year’s attendance of more than 422,000 certainly underscores the significance
of the Essence Music Festival as the place where we all come together to
celebrate culture and connect to our community,” said Essence Communications
President Michelle Ebanks.
The
annual celebration featured performers such as Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Kanye
West, Jill Scott, Chaka Khan, Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz and New Edition.
The
festival also hosted an Empowerment Experience with the speakers including
Steve Harvey, Cornel West, Rev. Al Sharpton, Tavis Smiley, Soledad O’Brien,
among others.
One lucky
attendee, Deborah Inniss of South Carolina, won a 2012 Ford Focus from the Ford
Motor Company, one of the sponsors of the festival.
Copyright
2011 Chicago Defender
