Tika Sumpter poses backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
EMF headliner Mary J. Blige at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Regina King, Lance Gross and Keshia Knight Pulliam hang out at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Patti LaBelle and Ledisi make beautiful music together at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Ledisi pays a visit to the VIP Lounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Taraji P. Henson and LeToya Luckett share a red carpet moment at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
NeNe Leakes hangs out backstage of the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Nene Leakes poses backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Chaka Khan smiles backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Towanda C. Braxton, Toni Braxton, Trina Braxton, and Traci R. Braxton at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Angela Bassett arrives at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
LeToya Luckett stops by the ESSENCE.com Live Stage during the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Shanie O’Neal poses for a picture at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans.
Tika Sumpter shows she can hold a note during an interview with the Managing Editor of ESSENCE.com, Emil Wilbekin.
Usher speaks backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Patti LaBelle enjoys the concert at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Garcelle Beauvais poses at the VIP Lounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Jennifer Hudson smiles at the press conference following her performance at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
CeCe Winans accepts her award from the ESSENCE Empowerment Stage during the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Jennifer Williams and Shaunie O’Neal of “Basketball Wives” pose backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Cynthia Bailey, Boris Kodjoe and ESSENCE’s Constance C. R. White at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Lisa Raye McCoy stops by the Convention Center to sign autographs at the TV One booth at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
EMF headliners New Edition pose backstage at the 2011 ESSSENCE Music Festival.
MC Lyte poses backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
George Clinton poses backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Trin-i-tee 5:7 poses backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Brian White chats with the audience on the ESSENCE.com Live Stage during the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Hottie Tank stopped by the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Boris Kodjoe visits the VIP lounge in the Superdome at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Shaunie O’Neal smiles backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Evelyn Lozada at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans.
Tina Knowles attends the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans.
Tank hangs out backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans.
Lance Gross and guest enjoy the backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Brian White looks fine backstage at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage during the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Jennifer Williams poses backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin promotes his book at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Stephanie Mills performs at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, and Tami Roman of “Basketball Wives” visit the Louisiana Superdome for the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
MC Lyte rocks the mic at the Superlounge during the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
George Clinton sings at one of the Superlounges at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Eric Benet at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans.
Timothy Bloom performs at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Sisqo of Dru Hill at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans.
Senior White House advisor Valerie Jarrett speaks at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Big Daddy Kane, Monie Love, Doug E. Fresh and Kool Moe Dee at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Terry McMillan takes the stage during the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Soledad O’Brien takes the stage during the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Soul Rebels Brass Band performs at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Nick Canon gets on the ones and twos at the Visa booth at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Tameka Foster smiles in the VIP lounge backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Tavis Smiley hosts a discussion on the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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.
Author Iyanla Vanzant shares an inspiring word with the audience at the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Naturi Naughton has some fun on the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Terry McMillian and Soledad O’Brien smile backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Soledad O’Brien and Rev. Al Sharpton pose outside of the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Tami Roman, Rev. Al Sharpton, Shaunie O’Neal and Evelyn Lozada visit the ESSENCE Empowerment Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Dr. Cornel West speaks on the ESSENCE Empowerment Stage during the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Cornel West engages in a powerful discussion moderated by Tavis Smiley on the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Rev. Al Sharpton speaks to the crowd at the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Steve Harvey, Usher, and Marjorie Harvey visit the Louisiana Superdome for the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Usher and Steve Harvey hang together at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
LeToya Luckett flashes the deuces in the VIP Lounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Naturi Naughton smiles backstage in the VIP Lounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
LeToya Luckett and Bevy Smith chat in the VIP Lounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Motivational speaker and author Lisa Nichols gives a moving speech at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Usher shuts down the first night on the mainstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Terry and Rebecca Crews at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans.
ESSENCE Music Festival headliner Kem smiles backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Miguel performs at 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival Convention Center.
Mavis Staples blesses a Superlounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Fest in New Orleans.
Macy Gray performs for an intimate crowd in a Superlounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Taraji P. Henson and Hosea Chanchez at the 2011 Essence Music Festival.
Dwele performs in a Superlounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Derek J. at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Irma Thomas sings in a Superlounge at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Macy Gray sings her heart out at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Dwele takes a seat on a speaker in the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Miguel bathes in the limelight at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Noel Gourdin arrives backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Celebrity event planner Diann Valentine shares her success secrets during a seminar at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Taraji P. Henson brings the party to the New Orleans Conference Center at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Steve Harvey hosts a game of Family Feud at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
One family battles it out as Steve Harvey hosts Family Feud at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Taraji P. Henson and LeToya Luckett share a laugh at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
LeToya Luckett gets ready to speak to the crowd at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Taraji P. Henson arrives backstage at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
LeToya Luckett arrives backstage at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Naturi Naughton arrives backstage at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Usher speaks with Shaun Robinson at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Usher gives an interview with Shaun Robinson at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Isn’t he handsome! Usher appears on the big screen live at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Taraji P. Henson at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival
Don Lemon arrives backstage at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Carl Payne chats it up at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Don Lemon gives an exclusive interview at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Don Lemon chats with Cori Murray, ESSENCE’s entertainment editor, on the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Chanelle Haynes and Angel Taylor of Trin-i-tee 5:7 perform at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Angel Taylor of Trin-i-tee 5:7 performs at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Legendary actress Jayne Kennedy speaks at the TV One booth at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Legendary actress Jayne Kennedy presents at the TV One booth at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Boris Kodjoe flaunts his handsome smile on the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Boris Kodjoe is deep in thought during an exclusive interview at the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Don Lemon takes a stroll in the convention center at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Bevy Smith strikes a pose with hairstylist Derek J at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Steve Harvey and Carla Ferrell host the Steve Harvey Morning Show live from the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Gotta love that smile! Steve Harvey hosts the Steve Harvey Morning Show live from the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
Shirley Strawberry, Steve Harvey, Carla Ferell, and Thomas “Nephew Tommy” Miles host the Steve Harvey Morning Show live from the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief Constance C.R. White addresses the crowd on the ESSENCE Empowerment Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu welcomes the crowd at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.
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.
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.
