The 2017 ESSENCE Music Festival brought nearly 500,000 festivalgoers to New Orleans during Fourth of July weekend for its annual cultural celebration. The annual 4-day festival featured entertainment, empowerment, and cultural experiences during the day and a state-of-the-art concert series with over 100 performing artists at the Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Many of the biggest names in entertainment performed nighttime concerts including Diana Ross, John Legend, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Chance The Rapper, Master P. and Solange, while dozens of others across ESSENCE’s Center Stage and All-Star Gospel Tribute honoring Cissy Houston.

More than 100 speakers, authors, leaders and celebs participated in the Festival’s free daytime experience including a first-ever appearance by Halle Berry.  Other powerhouse speakers included Ava DuVernay and the return of favorites Rev. Al Sharpton, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and Iyanla Vanzant, among others.  Artist collaborations also resulted in new Festival initiatives, including a first-time ‘Ladies Night’ featuring all female performers across five stages on Saturday night, and a first-ever celebrity basketball game to raise money for local youth scholarships in partnership with Master P. and his foundation, Team Hope NOLA.