Once again, Essence delivers!
15th July 2019 · 0 Comments
By Kelly Harris
Contributing Writer
Essence Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary July 5-7 in New Orleans and attracted more than half a million national and international attendees for the Fourth of July weekend for a historic anniversary celebration.
Essence kicked off the weekend with a press conference at Ashé Cultural Arts Center, during which it was announced that the festival would change its official name to the Essence Festival of Culture starting in 2020, to place a more global focus on the festival in future years.
Highlights of this year’s festival included First Lady Michelle Obama in a conversation on the main stage with Gayle King in a sold-out Superdome; an all-new Essence After Dark Series, featuring a series of underground concerts and comedy shows; and seven of the 2020 presidential candidates discussing their platforms, including Kamala Harris, Corey Booker and Senator Elizabeth Warren.
This year’s festival expanded its programming far beyond the Morial Convention Center and Superdome.
On July 4, locals and tourists enjoyed a free Party in the Park that featured rapper Common, Tonya Boyd-Cannon, Bamboula 2000 and more. Festival attendees did more walking around the CBD to venues such as Orpheum Theater and Republic NOLA. The After Dark events series offered nightly entertainment options that ranged from a reggae party to a comedy show. One major addition to the Essence Festival was the infusion of artists from the Diaspora and Caribbean performing in the Super Lounge and other off-site Essence Fest events.
But even with the addition of the various options of entertainment around the city, the nightly concerts at the Superdome were still a big attraction.
Friday night featured a tribute to Prince by members of New Power Generation; R&B singer and New Orleans native Ledisi lead tributes to Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle. The audience was treated to a guest appearance by the Philly diva (LaBelle) and a moment of spontaneous singing. Former New Edition members Ronnie Bobby, Ricky and Mike, now known as “RBRM,” rocked the Dome with classic hits such as “Poison” and “Every Little Step.” Missy Elliot shut down the night with an energetic performance of her greatest hits.
Saturday night was anchored by former First Lady Michelle Obama’s appearance. New sensation H.E.R. showcased her vocals and musicianship by playing various instruments. Mary J. Blige ended the night with a celebration of the 25th anniversary of her album, “My Life.”
After 15 consecutive years of Essence Festival performances, Frankie Beverly took what many believe was his final Essence Fest bow on Sunday. Beverly, donned in his signature white, told the audience, “Thank you. Thank. You. I don’t wanna cry, so let’s play some music, ok?” Prior to his performance, Beverly was given a key to the City of New Orleans.
In addition to the concerts, comedy shows and parties, some finished out the festival weekend after being highlighted by Essence and other organizations for their service, missions and achievements.
The inaugural Girls United Giving Challenge, a community-wide, four-day online giving event held during the festival weekend benefiting eight nonprofit organizations that lift up young girls in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana. The giving challenge was inspired by ESSENCE Girls United, a year-long mentorship program and interactive digital/social content hub designed to convey “the core principles of leadership and self-love.”
The eight organizations benefitting from the inaugural giving challenge are BR Grow Girls and O.M.G. Girlz in Baton Rouge, and Beautiful Foundation, Orchid Society, Pink House, Project Butterfly; St. Katherine Drexel Prep; and St. Mary’s Academy in New Orleans.
Los Angeles, California-based apparel company NYDJ and the Jane Club partnered to introduce and present a scholarship program during this year’s festival. Partnered to empower and support women, especially those in marginalized communities.
The scholarship was announced during the Welcome New Orleans Dinner hosted in honor of Mayor LaToya Cantrell, the city’s first female mayor. Cantrell spoke about her mission to address issues New Orleans faces regarding youth, family and motherhood.
The scholarship, called the Women of Tomorrow Scholarship, was established to recognize outstanding young women enrolled in college who have achieved positive academic records and demonstrated the qualities that are consistent with NYDJ’s values.
Cleopatra Singleton, a rising junior at Xavier University majoring in political science, was the recipient of the inaugural scholarship. Singleton is hoping to study abroad with one of her political science classes.
Essence Festival also acknowledged the recent passing of Leah Chase, who was recognized on the main stage with a video tribute, and an award which was accepted on stage by the Chase family.
This article originally published in the July 15, 2019 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
