Tika Sumpter poses backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Head Diva
EMF headliner Mary J. Blige at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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A Perfect Trio
Regina King, Lance Gross and Keshia Knight Pulliam hang out at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Harmonize
Patti LaBelle and Ledisi make beautiful music together at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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So Pretty
Ledisi pays a visit to the VIP Lounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Special Moment
Taraji P. Henson and LeToya Luckett share a red carpet moment at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Backstage Pass
NeNe Leakes hangs out backstage of the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Reality Star
Nene Leakes poses backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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I’m Every Woman
Chaka Khan smiles backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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It’s a Family Affair
Towanda C. Braxton, Toni Braxton, Trina Braxton, and Traci R. Braxton at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Golden Glow
Angela Bassett arrives at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Heart to Heart
LeToya Luckett stops by the ESSENCE.com Live Stage during the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Work It Girl
Shanie O’Neal poses for a picture at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans.
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Tika Can Sing!
Tika Sumpter shows she can hold a note during an interview with the Managing Editor of ESSENCE.com, Emil Wilbekin.
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You Make Me Wanna
Usher speaks backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Front Row Diva
Patti LaBelle enjoys the concert at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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All Smiles
Garcelle Beauvais poses at the VIP Lounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Perfect Smile
Jennifer Hudson smiles at the press conference following her performance at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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So Inspired
CeCe Winans accepts her award from the ESSENCE Empowerment Stage during the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Basketball Wives
Jennifer Williams and Shaunie O’Neal of “Basketball Wives” pose backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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VIPs
Cynthia Bailey, Boris Kodjoe and ESSENCE’s Constance C. R. White at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Wonderful in White
Lisa Raye McCoy stops by the Convention Center to sign autographs at the TV One booth at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Back Together Again
EMF headliners New Edition pose backstage at the 2011 ESSSENCE Music Festival.
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Top MC
MC Lyte poses backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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So Funkadelic
George Clinton poses backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Soulful Singers
Trin-i-tee 5:7 poses backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Let’s Chat
Brian White chats with the audience on the ESSENCE.com Live Stage during the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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So Handsome
Hottie Tank stopped by the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Substance and Style
Boris Kodjoe visits the VIP lounge in the Superdome at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Walk on the Wild Side
Shaunie O’Neal smiles backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Real Talk
Evelyn Lozada at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans.
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Miss Tina
Tina Knowles attends the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans.
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Behind-the-Scenes
Tank hangs out backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans.
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Good Times
Lance Gross and guest enjoy the backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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A Well-Dressed Man
Brian White looks fine backstage at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage during the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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White Hot
Jennifer Williams poses backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Top Dog
Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin promotes his book at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Feel the Fire
Stephanie Mills performs at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Perfect Trio
Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, and Tami Roman of “Basketball Wives” visit the Louisiana Superdome for the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Hot MC
MC Lyte rocks the mic at the Superlounge during the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Take the Stage
George Clinton sings at one of the Superlounges at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Sang It!
Eric Benet at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans.
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Heartthrob
Timothy Bloom performs at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Flashback
Sisqo of Dru Hill at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans.
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Empowering Talk
Senior White House advisor Valerie Jarrett speaks at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Old School
Big Daddy Kane, Monie Love, Doug E. Fresh and Kool Moe Dee at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Deep in Thought
Terry McMillan takes the stage during the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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On the Couch
Soledad O’Brien takes the stage during the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Play That Horn!
Soul Rebels Brass Band performs at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Hey Mr. DJ
Nick Canon gets on the ones and twos at the Visa booth at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Having Fun
Tameka Foster smiles in the VIP lounge backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Step Up to the Mic
Tavis Smiley hosts a discussion on the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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What’s Cookin?
ESSENCE.com entertainment editor Yolanda Sangweni chats with celebrity chef G. Garvin on the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans, LA.
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So Inspired
Author Iyanla Vanzant shares an inspiring word with the audience at the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Work It Girl
Naturi Naughton has some fun on the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Pretty Smiles
Terry McMillian and Soledad O’Brien smile backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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On the Scene
Soledad O’Brien and Rev. Al Sharpton pose outside of the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Picture Perfect
Tami Roman, Rev. Al Sharpton, Shaunie O’Neal and Evelyn Lozada visit the ESSENCE Empowerment Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Deep in Thought
Dr. Cornel West speaks on the ESSENCE Empowerment Stage during the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Heated Discussion
Cornel West engages in a powerful discussion moderated by Tavis Smiley on the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Transform Yourself
Rev. Al Sharpton speaks to the crowd at the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Enjoy the Show
Steve Harvey, Usher, and Marjorie Harvey visit the Louisiana Superdome for the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Top of the Class
Usher and Steve Harvey hang together at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Throwing up the Deuces
LeToya Luckett flashes the deuces in the VIP Lounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Super Chic
Naturi Naughton smiles backstage in the VIP Lounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Heart to Heart
LeToya Luckett and Bevy Smith chat in the VIP Lounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Transform Yourself
Motivational speaker and author Lisa Nichols gives a moving speech at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Defying Gravity
Usher shuts down the first night on the mainstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Black Love
Terry and Rebecca Crews at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans.
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Smooth Jazz
ESSENCE Music Festival headliner Kem smiles backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Feeling It
Miguel performs at 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival Convention Center.
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Open Arms
Mavis Staples blesses a Superlounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Fest in New Orleans.
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Working Up a Sweat
Macy Gray performs for an intimate crowd in a Superlounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Enjoying the Big Easy
Taraji P. Henson and Hosea Chanchez at the 2011 Essence Music Festival.
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Reachin’ New Heights
Dwele performs in a Superlounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Walk the Walk
Derek J. at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Soul Queen of New Orleans
Irma Thomas sings in a Superlounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Big Performance
Macy Gray sings her heart out at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Get Down
Dwele takes a seat on a speaker in the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Shining
Miguel bathes in the limelight at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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A Well-Dressed Man
Noel Gourdin arrives backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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A-List Events
Celebrity event planner Diann Valentine shares her success secrets during a seminar at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Running Man
Taraji P. Henson brings the party to the New Orleans Conference Center at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Game Show Fun
Steve Harvey hosts a game of Family Feud at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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We are Family
One family battles it out as Steve Harvey hosts Family Feud at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Share a Laugh
Taraji P. Henson and LeToya Luckett share a laugh at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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On the Couch
LeToya Luckett gets ready to speak to the crowd at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Fun in Florals
Taraji P. Henson arrives backstage at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Picture Perfect
LeToya Luckett arrives backstage at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Super Cute
Naturi Naughton arrives backstage at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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The Inside Scoop
Usher speaks with Shaun Robinson at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Behind the Mic
Usher gives an interview with Shaun Robinson at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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OMG
Isn’t he handsome! Usher appears on the big screen live at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Casual Chic
Taraji P. Henson at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival
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Red Carpet Arrival
Don Lemon arrives backstage at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Remeber Cole from “Martin”?
Carl Payne chats it up at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Exclusive Chat
Don Lemon gives an exclusive interview at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Up Close and Personal
Don Lemon chats with Cori Murray, ESSENCE’s entertainment editor, on the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Inspiring Sounds
Chanelle Haynes and Angel Taylor of Trin-i-tee 5:7 perform at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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How Angelic
Angel Taylor of Trin-i-tee 5:7 performs at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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An Icon in Action
Legendary actress Jayne Kennedy speaks at the TV One booth at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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On the Scene
Legendary actress Jayne Kennedy presents at the TV One booth at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Sexy Smile
Boris Kodjoe flaunts his handsome smile on the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Deep in Thought
Boris Kodjoe is deep in thought during an exclusive interview at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Stepping Out
Don Lemon takes a stroll in the convention center at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Fierce, Fun, and Fab!
Bevy Smith strikes a pose with hairstylist Derek J at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Good Morning Crescent City
Steve Harvey and Carla Ferrell host the Steve Harvey Morning Show live from the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Live Broadcast
Gotta love that smile! Steve Harvey hosts the Steve Harvey Morning Show live from the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Ready for the Radio
Shirley Strawberry, Steve Harvey, Carla Ferell, and Thomas “Nephew Tommy” Miles host the Steve Harvey Morning Show live from the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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ESSENCE EIC
ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief Constance C.R. White addresses the crowd on the ESSENCE Empowerment Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Warm Welcome
New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu welcomes the crowd at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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Giving Back
New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul walks in the CP3K Walk for Kids Presented by The Coca-Cola Company at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA.
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Beauty Mavens
Makeup artist Sam Fine and hair stylists Chuck Amos and Oscar James pose with a guest at the My Black is Beautiful booth at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.