The Essence Of Anderson

Saturday, May 14, 2011

2011 ESSENCE Music Festival Announces the Day-by-Day Line-Up for the All New "Essence Empowerment Experience" July 1, 2, 3 in New Orleans

CNN's Anderson Cooper, The View's Sherri Shepherd, "Jumping the Broom" Star Laz Alonso, Commentator Sophia Nelson and More, Join Steve Harvey, Iyanla Vanzant, Terry McMillan, Soledad O'Brien, Rev. Al Sharpton, Tavis Smiley and Dr. Cornel West for an Unfor

By ESSENCE

Published: Thursday, May. 12, 2011 - 1:18 pm

NEW YORK, May 12, 2011 -- /PRNewswire/ --ESSENCE proudly announces the day-by-day line-up for the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience, taking place July 1-3 in New Orleans at the 17th annual ESSENCE Music Festival. Having already announced participation by Steve Harvey, Iyanla Vanzant, Terry McMillan, Soledad O'Brien, Rev. Al Sharpton, Tavis Smiley, Dr. Cornel West, CeCe Winans and Marvin Sapp, the dynamic ESSENCE Empowerment Experience "Weekend of Transformation" has added CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, The View hostess and actress Sherri Shepherd, "Jumping the Broom" star Laz Alonso, commentator Sophia Nelson and an array of others.

"The ESSENCE Music Festival's unique offering of world-class music, arts and culture also features one-of-a-kind enrichment opportunities within the Empowerment Experience," states Michelle Ebanks, President of ESSENCE Communications Inc. "This year's theme of 'transformation' is perfectly aligned with the ESSENCE brand mission to uplift and inspire, which we accomplish via critical information and dialogue from our nation's top thinkers and innovators over three full days."

The 2011 ESSENCE Empowerment Experience is free and open to the public. The day-by-day line-up (as of 5/12) is as follows: HERE

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Anderson's contribution:

Saturday, July 2: "Transforming Your Community" – Sponsored by U.S. Army

• "Women of Reality TV," moderated by Anderson Cooper, featuring the leading women of reality television including: NeNe Leakes, Cynthia Bailey, Shaunie O'Neal, Evelyn Lozada and Tami Roman