ESSENCE Celebrates 40 Years of Music, Arts and Empowerment at 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL

2010 EMPOWERMENT SEMINARS TO FOCUS ON COMMUNITY, MENTORING AND EDUCATION

JADA PINKETT SMITH TO ADDRESS IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION

BISHOP T.D. JAKES TO DELIVER KEYNOTE ADDRESS ON THE POWER OF MENTORING

THREE NIGHTS OF MUSICAL PERFORMANCES THIS JULY 4TH WEEKEND (JULY 2, 3 AND 4) IN NEW ORLEANS

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May 05, 2010, 04:14 ET

NEW YORK, May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Jada Pinkett Smith and Bishop T.D. Jakes are the latest additions to the ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL's three full days of free empowerment seminars that feature some of the biggest names in entertainment and the nation's most influential speakers, artists, authors and leaders.

Jada Pinkett Smith and ESSENCE Magazine editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray will host a "Q&A" addressing the importance of education and its role in character-building as part of the daylong commitment to education.

Later that day, Bishop T.D. Jakes--who was honored via an all-star tribute at the 2009 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL--will deliver a Saturday keynote address on the Power Of Mentoring, focusing on the power of mentors and their role in keeping youths on track through encouragement and support.

Attendees to the annual event--Friday, July 2, Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4--will be treated this year to three full days of socio-political dialogue and spiritual inspiration led by dynamic motivational speakers at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

The ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2010 empowerment seminars kick off Friday (July 2) with Steve Harvey hosting a "Steve Harvey's Love & Relationships Super Fest," sponsored by My Black Is Beautiful. On Saturday (July 3), the seminars turn to education with the "Essence African-American Education Summit: Empowering Parents, Motivating Students, Closing the Gap and Fulfilling the Dream." The weekend will conclude with Sunday's (July 4) "All Star Gospel Salute to Kirk Franklin, Pastor Shirley Caesar, and Bishop Paul and Pastor Debra Morton."

The matching of the day-long experiences with live music late into the evening--all set against the classic backdrop of New Orleans--makes for a truly unique weekend. This year's multi-generational list of ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2010 performers not only celebrates ESSENCE's 40-year commitment to music, but also honors the local music of New Orleans. This year, longtime festival participant Steve Harvey will also take part in the nightly musical celebrations serving as co-host for the three nights of Superdome musical performances with his radio colleague Nephew Tommy. Look for the full day-by-day schedule to be announced May 6 at www.essencemusicfestival.com.

The full list of acts confirmed for this year's weekend-long celebration of music, culture and community is as follows: Alicia Keys, Arrested Development, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Charlie Wilson, Chrisette Michele, De La Soul, DJ Soul Sister, Earth, Wind and Fire, Estelle, Gladys Knight, Hot 8 Brass Band, Irma Thomas, Irvin Mayfield and NOJO, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers, Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Joe, Keri Hilson, Lalah Hathaway, Laura Izibor, Leo Jackson and the Melody Clouds, Little Freddie King, LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, Mary Mary, Melanie Fiona, Mint Condition, Monica, Raphael Saadiq, Rebirth Brass Band, Ruben Studdard, Sam & Ruby, Shamarr Allen and the Underdawgs, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Trey Songz, WAR.

For additional information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL, visit www.essencemusicfestival.com. For the most updated information on the ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL's weekend long festivities, please visit Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/ESSENCE-Music-Festival/42125257610?ref=ts) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/essencemusic).

The presenting sponsor for the 2010 Essence Music Festival is Coca-Cola. Other 2010 sponsors include Coors Light, CoverGirl Queen, Ford, McDonald's, Olay, Pantene, Tide, and U.S. Army; AARP, CNN, HBO, My Black is Beautiful, TBS, TVOne.

GeChar is the producer of the 2010 Empowerment Seminars. The 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL is executive produced by Essence Festivals LLC and produced by Rehage Entertainment. Essence Festivals LLC is a division of Essence Communications Inc. (ECI).

ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS INC.:

Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media and communications company dedicated to African-American women. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online, the Essence brand is "Where Black Women Come First". The company's flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Music Festival, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood, Window on Our Women (WOW I & II) and Smart Beauty I, II & III consumer insights, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 40 years, ESSENCE magazine, which has a brand reach of over 8 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information relating to every area of African-American women's lives. Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at www.essence.com.

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SOURCE ESSENCE magazine