By Chevel Johnson, The Associated Press More than $1.6 million in grants are going to 22 sites and organizations to help preserve Black history. The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced the grants Friday during the 25th annual Essence Festival in New Orleans. In this June 13, 2007 file photo, a youth walks by the Langston […]
Author Archives: Chevel Johnson
Associated Press
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
New Orleans Writer & Tulane Professor, Ladee Hubbard, Wins Gaines Award
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Inspired by W.E.B. DuBois’ 1903 essay “The Talented Tenth,” a New Orleans writer has written a debut novel that earned her recognition with this year’s Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence. In this photo provided by NBC, writer Ladee Hubbard talks with host Seth Meyers during an interview on Oct. […]
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Essence Preps for Return to Durban, South Africa in September
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Fresh off the annual Essence Festival held over the 4th of July holiday weekend in New Orleans, organizers are now preparing for the festival’s return to South Africa. Essence on Thursday said the festival’s Durban, South Africa, edition will take place Sept. 26-Oct. 1, featuring Bishop T.D. Jakes, a talk-show host, […]
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Diana Ross to Headline Opening Night at the New Orleans’ Annual Essence Festival
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A little bit of Motown nostalgia will fill the Superdome when “The Boss” herself performs for the first time at the annual Essence Festival in New Orleans. Diana Ross headlines Friday’s opening night of concerts inside the Superdome. The event runs through Sunday. FILE – In this Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, […]
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Diana Ross, Mary J. Blige, John Legend Headline 2017 Essence
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — For the first time, music icon Diana Ross brings her star power to a stage at the 2017 Essence Festival in New Orleans. Ross was among the headliners announced Thursday for the festival annually held in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Diana Ross, Mary J. Blige, John Legend Headline 2017 Essence. (Photos by […]
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Solange Knowles Describes Negative Experience with a Group of White Women at Concert
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A family outing tied to giving her 11-year-old son and his friend a history lesson on hip-hop turned into a disappointing experience for singer Solange Knowles when she says a group of White women demanded she sit during a concert and then threw a lime at her. Singer Solange Knowles. (AP […]
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11 Years Later, New Orleans Remembers Katrina
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — It’s been 11 years since the wind, rain and subsequent levee breaks associated with Hurricane Katrina deluged New Orleans. On Monday, officials marked the occasion with wreath-laying ceremonies to remember those who lost their lives to the flooding and celebrations to commemorate those who survived. Cameron Clark, right, and Aaron Covin, […]
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Music Duo Lion Babe Makes its Essence Festival Debut
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Duos in music are nothing new. Think Hall and Oates, Outkast, Simon and Garfunkel, Sonny and Cher and Ashford and Simpson. But Lion Babe gives a different feel to the concept and for the first-time brings its experimental soul, stylized sound to a stage at the Essence Festival. Consisting of multi-instrumentalist-producer […]
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Iyanla, Sharpton, Others Recognized at McDonald’s 365 Black Awards
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — From inspirational motivators and community activists to business owners and a former athlete, this year’s recipients of the McDonald’s 365 Black Awards cover the spectrum of altruism. Inspirational leader Iyanla Vanzant. The 11th annual star-studded show, hosted by actors Terrence “J” Jenkins and Tika Sumpter airs at 10 p.m. EDT Sunday […]
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Essence Festival Hits Record Attendance at 550,000
Mary J Blige performs at the Essence Festival in New Orleans, Saturday, July 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Essence Festival marked its 20th anniversary by setting a record for annual attendance with more than550,000 participants celebrating four days of R&B music, community and black culture at the New Orleans’ convention center […]
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Prince Returns and Conquers at Essence’s 20th Celebration
Prince (Courtesy Photo) NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Uttering his signature, “We are gathered here today to get through this thing called life,” Prince opened his set for the 20th celebration of the Essence Festival and showed thousands Friday why a 10-year wait isn’t a bad thing. As the first licks of “Let’s Go Crazy,” rang […]
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Essence Festival Marks its 20 Year Anniversary
Prince performs during the 10th Anniversary Essence Music Festival Friday, at the dome in New Orleans. It’s been 20 years since Essence magazine first brought its “party with a purpose” to New Orleans and organizers say this year’s goal is more, more, more. (AP Photo/The Times-Picayune, Brett Duke, File) NEW ORLEANS (AP) — It’s been […]