The movers and shakers behind the ESSENCE Music Festival gathered for a group picture, which includes president Michelle Ebanks, editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray, general manager Joy Collins, mayor Ray C. Nagin, and CNN’s Roland Martin.
Queen Latifah arrives backstage to the Ernest Morial Convention Center to speak during the ESSENCE Music Festival empowerment seminars.
Cover Girl spokesperson Queen Latifah gives real beauty advice with celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine.
Dr. Juanita Bynum arrives backstage to the Ernest Morial Convention Center to speak during the ESSENCE Music Festival empowerment seminars.
ESSENCE beauty director and cover editor Mikki Taylor and Dr. Juanita Bynum.
Dr. Juanita Bynum and fitness guru Donna Richardson show each other love.
Queen Latifah, ESSENCE editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray and makeup artist extraordinaire Sam Fine pose for the camera.
Grammy winner and singer-songwriter John Legend arrives at the convention center festivities during the ESSENCE Music Festival.
Senior Editor Patrik Henry Bass leading Friday’s ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar.
Attendees get a first row advantage at Friday’s ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar.
“Image vs. Reality” panelists (from left) Lisa Wu–Hartwell, Sharon Quinn, Holly Robinson Peete, NeNe Leakes and Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth.
It’s all smiles for Sharon Quinn, (at far left) winner from “Mo’Nique’s Phat Chance,” “Real Housewives of Atlanta” cast member Lisa Wu–Hartwell (second from left), General William E. Ward, commander of U.S. Africa Command, based in Stuttgart, Germany (center) and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” cast member NeNe Leakes (at right).
Lisa Wu–Hartwell gets love from her hubby Ed (at left) and ESSENCE.com managing editor Emil Wilbekin, backstage at the ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar.
Reality TV stars NeNe Leakes, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth and Lisa Wu–Hartwell make nice with fitness star Donna Richardson (far right).
Donna Richardson (at far left), NeNe Leakes (second from right) and Lisa Wu–Hartwell (right).
ESSENCE.com managing editor Emil Wilbekin, Donna Richardson and ESSENCE president Michelle Ebanks.
(From left) Steve Harvey, Roland Martin, Finesse Mitchell, LeBron Joseph, Angela Burt-Murray, Ginuwine, Malik Yoba, Ed Gordan, Holly Robinson Peete and Lamman Rucker.
“Black Men Unplugged” moderator Malik Yoba.
An audience sits captivated at Friday’s ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar at the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
Ginuwine gets ready to tell it like it is during the “Black Men Unplugged” panel.
CNN’s Roland Martin
“Black Men Unplugged” panelists (from left): Lamman Rucker, Roland Martin, Ginuwine, Finesse Mitchell, Malik Yoba and Ed Gordon.
ESSENCE magazine columnist Finesse Mitchell and his wife get cozy at the ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar.
Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth gets adored by CNN’s Roland Martin and ESSENCE.com managing editor Emil Wilbekin.
Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson has her hands on Keri Hilson’s debut album at the Walmart booth, inside the Morial Convention Center.
Keri Hilson gives her fans some love at the Walmart booth during the ESSENCE Music Festival festivities inside the Morial Convention Center.
Singer-songwriter Keri Hilson signs copies of her new album “In a Perfect World.”
TV actress Holly Robinson Peete and Steve Harvey talk Hollywood biz backstage.
Steve Harvey and “The View’s” Sherri Shepherd share a moment backstage at the ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar.
Steve Harvey embraces a loving fan backstage at the ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar.
Mint Condition performs at the McDonald’s booth at the ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar.
Mint Condition jam at the McDonald’s booth inside the Ernest Morial Convention Center, during the ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminar.
Solange opens her set at the Lincoln superlounge during the ESSENCE Music Festival.
Solange performs at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
Solange backstage during her show at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
Sandra “Pepa” Denton and Cheryl “Salt” James of Salt N Pepa were the first act to perform on the ESSENCE Music Festival mainstage.
Salt N Pepa take the audience back to the golden days of hip hop with their classic hits.
DJ Spinderella spins the backbeats of Salt N’ Pepa’s greatest hits.
Ne-Yo, in his signature hat, hits the right notes to make the women in the audience scream.
Singer/songwriter Ne-Yo belts out a Michael Jackson tune during the ESSENCE Music Festival.
Ne-Yo high steps it on Friday night at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
John Legend makes his way to the mainstage for his ESSENCE Music Festival performance.
John Legend’s performance proves his staying power.
Singer-songwriter John Legend commands the mainstage.
John Legend evolves at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
Beyoncéopens with “Crazy in Love” as she closes the Friday night ESSENCE Music Festival.
Beyonce and her backup dancers in 3-D at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
Beyonce at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
British artist Estelle supports John Legend for his performance at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
CNN’s Roland Martin busts a move for TV One correspondent Cynthia Garrett.
ESSENCE’s Mikki Taylor smiles in the VIP Lounge during the Friday night performances.
BET’s Alisha Renee (at left) and “Access Hollywood’s” Shaun Robinson enjoy a backstage moment with August 2009 cover man Idris Elba.
(from left) Gabrielle Union, ESSENCE editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray and Sanaa Lathan strike a pose Friday night in the VIP Lounge.
John Legend sits for an interview at the Empowerment Seminars during day two of the ESSENCE Music Festival.
First-time ESSENCE Music Festival performer Ryan Leslie.
Singer-songwriter Brian McKnight after a radio interview at the ESSENCE Music Festival
Sandra “Pepa” Denton and Cheryl “Salt” James speak at the Empowerment Seminars at ESSENCE Music Festival.
Audiences wait to see who’s next at ESSENCE Music Festival convention center.
Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu addresses the Empowerment Seminars at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
Queen Latifah signs pictures at the My Black is Beautiful booth at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
ESSENCE’s August 2009 cover model, Idris Elba screams at his first solo cover.
An ESSENCE Music Festival fan gets backstage love from Idris Elba.
ESSENCE general manager Joy Collins greets Idris Elba.
“Meet the Browns” Lamman Rucker (at left) and ESSENCE Music Festival mainstage host Johnathan Slocumb.
ESSENCE.com news editor Wendy Wilson introduces Bill Cosby during the empowerment seminars at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
Dr. Bill Cosby at the empowerment seminars during the ESSENCE Music Festival.
(from left) Wendy Wilson (ESSENCE.com), Dr. Bill Cosby, Angela Burt-Murray (ESSENCE), and Tom Joyner.
Leonard Murray and Dr. Bill Cosby backstage at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
Etienne LeGrand, president and director of the W.E.B. DuBois Society and Benjamin Todd Jealous, NAACP president, at the ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment seminars.
Superlounge artist Melanie Fiona at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
Bishop T.D. Jakes signs his latest book at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
LisaRaye McCoy shows off her new TV One poster.
(from left) Ed Gordon, CNN’s Soledad O’Brien, Malaak Compton-Rock, Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, and Dr. Calvin Mackie, after their “State of the Black Family” panel during the Empowerment Seminars at the ESSENCE Music Festival
Judge Penny Brown Reynolds speaking during the ESSENCE Music Festival Empowerment Seminars
Malaak Compton-Rock, during her Empowerment Seminar panel at the ESSENCE Music Festival
Lisa Wu-Hartwell shows off her funky patterned dress at the ESSENCE music Festival.
Jazmine Sullivan, Saturday night at the Superdome, moments before performing chart-toppers from “Fearless”, her debut album.
Jazmine Sullivan performs for the first time at the ESSENCE Music Festival
Philadelphia native Jazmine Sullivan gets down for Festival-goers.
New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin enjoying the performances at the Superdome Saturday night.
Singer, songwriter Brian McKnight wears white well at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
Bishop T.D. Jakes (left) and hip-hop pioneer Doug E. Fresh in the VIP Lounge at the Superdome Saturday night.
ESSENCE president Michelle Ebanks and Bishop T.D. Jakes smile for the camera at an ESSENCE Music Festival event.
Charlie Wilson moves the audience with his mix of funk and soul sounds.
Wilson had the audience singing with him during his performance of “Charlie, Last Name Wilson.”
Sometimes referred to as Uncle Charlie, Charlie Wilson keeps it fresh and clean.
The singer gives CNN a pre-performance soundbite, Saturday night.
Ryan Leslie performs his signature hit in the ESSENCE Music Festival Superlounge Saturday night.
Ryan Leslie leaves it all on the stage during his performance.
Janelle Monae parties with Laurie-Ann Gibson inside the Super Dome.
Dwyane Wade (left) and Chris Paul in the VIP Lounge at the Superdome Saturday night.
From his early days as a long-haired crooner to his recent short crop, Robin Thicke keeps it sexy and cool for his fans.
Robin Thicke returns to the ESSENCE Music Festival mainstage.
Grammy-award winner Robin Thicke hypnotizes the audience with his tunes.
Robin Thicke directs his band during his Saturday night ESSENCE Music Festival performance.
Anita Baker shares a laugh with Tom Joyner before she takes ESSENCE Music Festival audiences on a musical ride.
Anita Baker performs her classic hits—“Good Love,” “Giving You the Best That I Got,” and “Mystery”—Saturday night at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
During her performance, Anita Baker praises ESSENCE magazine for encouraging the city of New Orleans to recover.
Gal pals Sanaa Lathan and Gabrielle Union enjoyed the Festival together.
Sanaa Lathan, LisaRaye McCoy and Gabrielle Union relax in the VIP Lounge Saturday at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
The beautiful Eva Pigford backstage Saturday night at the Superdome.
Maxwell makes his ESSENCE Music Festival debut Saturday night.
After seven years out of the spotlight, Maxwell readies for his new album “BlackSummersNight” on Tuesday, July 7.
Maxwell gives the ladies in the audience something they can feel when he performs Saturday night at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
Maxwell brings sexy back in all black at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
The sisters of Mary Mary sign autographs for their fans.
Kirk Franklin lifts Him up.
Kirk Franklin motivates the crowd.
Kirk Franklin looks dapper on the red carpet.
Gabrielle Union doesn’t show any nervousness as she prepares to take the stage.
Melanie Fiona performs her hit song inside the Super Dome.
Raphael Saadiq serenades the crowd in style.
Teena Marie proves she still has the fire and desire.
Teena Marie gets down with her band.
Al Green croons to the ladies with a red rose in hand.
Al Green brings back the good times for the crowd at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
Lionel Richie was worth the wait when he took the stage at the ESSENCE Music Festival.
Lionel Richie took the stage with the Commodores to sing some of their hit songs.
Frankie Beverly brings the crowd to its feet with Maze’s classic hits.
As Maze featuring Frankie Beverly took the stage, the dazzling light show at the ESSENCE Music Festival wowed the crowd.
