Essence Festival Seminars 2009

The Essence Music Festival hosts three full days of dynamic speakers at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. No tickets needed. Just come and enjoy! Here are highlights of the many choices. The schedule is as follows:

Friday, July 3, 2009
LIVING AN AUTHENTIC LIFE

Opening Remarks: Angela Burt-Murray, ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief

ESSENCE Music Festival Welcome: Michelle Ebanks, ESSENCE Communications Inc. President

Host Remarks: Mikki Taylor, ESSENCE Beauty Editor & Cover Director

City Of New Orleans Welcome: Mayor C. Ray Nagin

Part I - Getting the Love You Deserve

Living An Authentic Life: Carla Harris

HIV/AIDS: Sheryl Lee Ralph

HIV in the Black Community:  Marvelyn Brown, Dr. Hilda Hutcherson, Phill Wilson (Black AIDS Institute), Donna Richardson-Joyner, Dr. Celeste Watkins-Hayes

Getting The Love You Deserve:  Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook

Image Versus Reality:  Omarosa Manigault Stallworth, Lisa Wu Hartwell, NeNe Leakes, Sharon Quinn, Malinda Williams

Keynote Address:  Juanita Bynum

Part II - The Steve Harvey's  Love and Relationships Tour

"Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man": Steve Harvey Q&A

Black Men Unplugged: The Game, The Lies, The Truth:  Ed Gordon, Finesse, Malik Yoba

My Message To Black Women On Getting The Love You Deserve:  Steve Harvey

Saturday, July 4, 2009
BLACK AMERICA'S STATE OF THE UNION

Opening Remarks: Angela Burt-Murray

Louisiana State Welcome:  Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu

Host Remarks: Roland Martin   

Opening Remarks:  Benjamin Todd Jealous, NAACP, National President and Chief Executive Office

Education: Bill Cosby

Politics - The Next Generation:  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA), Valerie Jarrett, Tom Joyner,
Donna Brazile, Roland Martin

Keynote Address:  Reverend Al Sharpton

Economy & Jobs: George Fraser

Finding Solutions:  Stephen Stoute, Monique Greenwood, Carla Harris, George Fraser, Sheryl Hilliard Tucker

State of the Black Family:  Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, Malaak Compton-Rock, Ed Gordon, Dr. Michael Lomax, Dr. Calvin Mackie

Performance:  Donnie McClurkin

The Black Church: Roles and Responsibilities:  Conversation with Donnie McClurkin and Roland Martin

Sunday, July 5, 2009
TRIBUTE TO BISHOP T.D. JAKES

Opening Remarks:  Angela Burt-Murray

Host Remarks: Steve Harvey

Performance:  CeCe Winans (Co-Host)

Sermon & Dedication: Bishop Noel Jones

Performance:  Tyronne Foster and the Arc Singers

Performance:  Ledisi

Tribute:  Greater St. Stephens Full Gospel Baptist Church:  Bishop Paul S. Morton and Pastor Debra Morton

Performance:  Marvin Sapp

Performance: Smokie Norful

Presentation:  Mayor C. Ray Nagin Presents Bishop Jakes with Key to the City

Keynote Address: Bishop T.D. Jake