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2008 Essence Music Festival: The Recipe for Empowering Tomorrow
With the mix of Louisiana sophistication and the blend of empowerment, the
2008 Essence Music Festival Presented by Coca-Cola has blended into the
expressive culture of New Orleans. For 14 years the "Party with a Purpose"
has kept the city alive with patrons singing, dancing, and creating an
experience that builds on an event that is an original and authentic entertainment experience, featuring the biggest names in music and the nation's most prolific speakers, leaders, and authors.
Featured artists that wowed the Superdome crowd included Mary J. Blige, Chris
Brown, Rihanna, Chris Rock, Keyshia Cole, Jill Scott, Maze featuring Frankie
Beverly, Morris Day & The Time, LL Cool J, Musiq, J. Holiday, plus a star-studded celebration of living legend Patti Labelle featuring original Labelle members Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx.
 But the one performer that left the crowd feeling like it could touch the sky was Kanye West. The self proclaimed, "Greatest Performer Alive" put on an hour and half performance that was deep with passion for Hip-Hop and articulated the importance of family and personal achievement. From new hits like "Flashing Lights" to his collaborated remixes to the inspirational rendition of "Momma," his salute to his late mother Dr. Donda West, had plenty of fans on the edge of their seats with emotions that articulated the power of healing through music.
The Essence Empowerment Seminars featured motivational speakers from across
the country on topics such as relationships, community involvement,
and education. Notable speakers and guests at the Seminars included: Tyler Perry and the cast of Tyler Perry's House of Payne, Reverend Al Sharpton, Bill Cosby, Bishop T.D. Jakes, CNN's Soledad O'Brien and Roland Martin, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tom Joyner, Dr. Juanita Bynum, Tye Tribbett, Regina Belle, New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin and many others. Parents and families left with a sense of joy and comfort showing the importance of why servants of our society are leaders for positive change.
 Chevrolet gained more momentum with its "Revolution to Rebuild" initiative this year with its strong continuing commitment to the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools. Chevrolet sponsored the music therapy program through CDF Freedom Schools that help more than 2,500 students in the Gulf-area alone.
CDF Freedom Schools programs provide critical summer and after-school
enrichment through a model curriculum that supports children and families.
Chevy has shown they have more than just a sponsor for the schools, they
created an emotional connection that runs deeper than most. As part of this
year's Essence Music Festival efforts in New Orleans, a special music
therapy training session featuring 100 (CDF) Freedom Schools students and
interns was introduced. Participants could truly feel the energy of a morning Harambee! Session, which was designed to get everyone excited and ready to start the day.
The Saturday morning music session was inspiring to all who attended.
Children from all ages were engaged and eager to participate. Mentors and
journalists danced and used instruments to keep up with the children that
participated, to create a learning environment that was committed to
honoring different learning styles and team building. Chevy also sponsored
Chevy Malibu's “Voices of Tomorrow” sweepstakes which provided a chance for
singers from the Dallas-Forth Worth, Houston, St. Louis, Memphis and New
Orleans/Baton Rouge areas to attend the Essence Music Festival and connect
with the children of CDF during the morning workshop. Four Voices of
Tomorrow contestants serenaded with the encouraging song "I Believe I Can Fly." The children and adults all cheered and rejoiced to conclude a morning of praise and musical creativeness that will have an impact on the roots of our next generation of the "American Revolution." "Music is the foundation of Chevy, the Essence Music Festival and the Children's Defense Fund. By working together, the three prove to be a musical force paying tribute to the ‘Party with a Purpose’ theme once again," said Cheryl Catton, marketing director for Chevy.
In all, the weekend was a soulful fulfillment to attendees through empowerment, musical healing, and a sense of giving back to tomorrow's future.
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Chris Rock jokes at the Superdome
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New Orleans, Show me how to Love
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Dorothy Redmond
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Flashing Lights
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Fuel for the Future
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I believe I can fly
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It's just Mary
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Jill Scott brings the crowd to their feet
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Learning is Love
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Music heals the soul
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Crystal Shaw from BET catches the Rhythm
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Rolling Out Magazine gets pumped
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The Recipe of Soul
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Time to Start the day
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Voices of tomorrow contestants with Michelle Ebanks
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We are the Future
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