Event Recap: “Strength of Women” On Display at 2017 Essence Music Festival

Essence Festival once again breezed into New Orleans for four days of fashion, food, conversation and concerts.

Essence’s free speaker series and other events were held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. This year’s festival featured a panel with the cast of the Netflix series “Dear White People.” Tina Knowles-Lawson was also featured on a panel with novelist Cheryl Creuzot, where they discussed money matters.

Mary J. Blige led a panel discussion themed “the strength of women” that was held on the Empowerment Stage at the convention center. During the panel discussion, Blige talked about how low her self-esteem was before she decided to get a divorce from then-husband Kendu Issacs, saying she was “beginning to think she was nothing.”

Big Freedia, New Orleans’ own bounce diva, held a discussion on beauty norms and why they don’t apply at the Beauty and Style Expo at the convention center.

Over at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the music concert-arm of Essence Fest took place. This year’s concert-goers were treated to a rare performance from legendary singer Diana Ross, who performed many of the hits from her 47-year career, including “Aint No Mountain High Enough,” “Baby Love” and “Stop in the Name of Love.”

Saturday night’s concert belonged to the newly divorced Mary J. Blige, who brought the heat with the “Strength of a Woman” theme, which was the title of her latest album. Blige also performed many of her career hits and favorites, including “Enough Cryin,” “Don’t Mind,” My Life,” “You Bring Me Joy” and “I’m Going Down.”

Blige was also the curator for that night’s performers, selecting Ari Lennox, Monica, Jazmine Sullivan, Jill Scott and Chaka Khan to perform that evening. Remy Ma, Teyana Taylor and Jhene Aiko also performed at the concert, appealing to the younger crowd.

Essence closed with two electrifying performances from Solange and Chance the Rapper Sunday night.

Video and Photos from Essence Festival 2017 are below.