2015 Essence Music Festival

On Wednesday July 1st, I traveled to New Orleans to attend the 21st Annual Essence Festival this was my first year attending and also the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. To commemorate this event ESSENCE kicked off the celebration with a ‘Day of Service’ over 1000 volunteers joined to plant flowers, paint classrooms, build play areas, and prep classrooms for the upcoming school year!

Also we visited one of areas that was hit the hardest by Katrina. I swear I fell in love with New Orleans this is such a strong city filled with so much history, amazing architecture and great food.

This area had houses but was never rebuilt after Katrina

Workers rebuilding houses

During my time in New Orleans I was able to visit a variety of Landmarks thanks to our wonderful sponsors --Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market hosted the My Black is Beautiful Dinner, The Little Gem Saloon  hosted the Ford Motor Company dinner and Dooky Chase's Restaurant hosted the Verizon Dinner. I definitely partied with a purpose, met a lot of amazing people and celebrated my 33rd birthday in style. 

Pic'd with Audra Day at the Ford Motor Company Dinner

With my Makeup Artist after the My Black is Beautiful Makeover

Getting my roll bounce on at the McDonald's Skate Jam

With Luke James after the Verizon Dinner

The beautiful Stained Glass inside of Dooky Chase's Restaurant