Here's Why You Should Attend Empower U At This Year's Essence Fest

Want some tips on how to flirt effectively? Need some cocktail recipes that do not mess with her waist? Want to create a budget - and stick to it?



Then head to New Orleans July 4th weekend where ESSENCE editors will host workshops on everything - health and welfare with money and power - as well as our newest addition to the programming Essence Festival, Empower U.

Chief Editor Dawnie Walton breaks this new installment of the programming Essence Fest.

Empower U is a big part of the essence of programming the Festival this year. Why Essence Fest team decides to go with this format this year?

In honor of our 20th anniversary, we wanted to add a new dimension to our Empowerment program, which actually is the heartbeat of the Festival. The concerts, of course, are amazing and exciting - but it's what happens in the Convention Center every day during this weekend that best exemplifies our mission. Empower U is a new element of that experience and we really resonate with our audience and help them improve their everyday life in simple but meaningful ways. And as the experience of empowerment, it is free.

What is the main difference between empowerment and empowerU?

Very good question! While the big stage Empowerment hosts discussions and speeches before an audience of up to 7500, Empower U is a series of intimate workshops in an atmosphere of classroom style.

Workshop leaders will teach attendees in quick sessions, lessons under five different "tracks" or themes: Money & Power, Healthy Living, Love and Relationships, style, beauty, and Education and Technology. We are also looking to integrate technology in the classroom in an exciting way - more details to come!

What kind of experience do you expect festival goers are in sessions empowerU?

I want to have fun, but also remove fast and simple ways that can improve their lives every day. The things I love to hear in the classroom: “Wow, I had never happened before," or "What a great idea," or “I’ll try that when I get home.”

What workshop are you most looking forward to? What shop do you think will be the most popular among those attending the festival?

Wow - I'm excited by what many of them, but there are two that remained for me personally: Mixologist Tiffanie Barriere give a workshop called Healthy Life “Sophisticated Sips " on cocktails with less sugar and calories - very relevant to New Orleans! I'm also excited about “Flirting 101 " taught by Abiola Abrams. And what will be the most popular?

 I suppose it’s workshop Steve Harvey "Think Like a Man" - who is doing a Q & A session on open relationships, and the session will help inform the sequel to his bestselling book.