The Road To Essence Festival 2014

"Dallas , make some noise ," Streeter Sevyn urged the crowd in front of her in front of El Camino to the implementation phase Essence Festival . As the audience roared in response, the pace down and Streeter started dancing, then singing, give everyone a close up look of what helped his former vocal groups and Richgirl popular TG4.

Streeter was one of several musical acts that performed at the free event on May 10 at the Wal -Mart at 3155 W. Wheatland Road. , Just off Interstate 20. Celebrating its 20th year, The Essence Music Festival is sponsored by Essence magazine and has been described as “quintessential showcase of the nation for African-American musical talent “by New Orleans online. The local party was part of a national multi-city tour intended to build enthusiasm and recognition of the main festival happening July 4th weekend in New Orleans. Other artists and stars in the Metroplex event include Avery Sunshine, Tank, and Cynthia Bailey of Real Housewives of Atlanta, former Dallas Cowboy Akin Ayodele and Daryl Washington of the Arizona Cardinals.



Venise McFerson was at the event with her two teenage daughters in tow. He said that among the many experiences they had together in the festival, the highlight was getting the chance to meet celebrity guests Laz Alonso - who starred in Avatar, Jumping the Broom and Stomp the Yard. She talked a bit about what the day meant for her and her children.

"We are here to meet and greet and meet a lot of people, seeing Cynthia, Tank - lots of people here," said McFerson. "It's good. It's very good. I've never been to one of these. I'm having fun. I'm having fun."

While fun was definitely on the menu, attendees Dorothy Robinson talked about how the celebration was also part of a larger social mosaic. Robinson was on hand as a semifinalist at the My Black is Beautiful ambassador search. The Procter & Gamble initiative, intended to celebrate and highlight a healthy and positive body image for African American women, is a nationwide search “for six women's empowerment that can help us inspire women and girls to become their best selves blacks, "according to its website. As a local participant, Robinson played a role enthusiastically to heart.

"It's actually about embracing the culture, embracing life, and be confident in the skin you're in, today," he said. For Robinson, the day featured not only music and social life, but also an opportunity for reflection and self-acceptance. She talked about the possible lessons in The Road to Essence Festival attendees were able to discover for themselves.

"I think they take home that actually we gather as a community, work together, embrace each other as different cultures and way of life," said Robinson. "I think that's what really great take home for everyone.”

Also at the scene was Lady Jade of K104. As a local she admitted that the occasion was personally meaningful and stirred something inside her.

"I mean, this is huge," he said about the opportunity for the neighborhood to experience such an event. “We do not get this.’M From Oak Cliff. Was born and raised in Dallas, so this is a big event for them. " When asked about similar trips often end up in the north of the Trinity River, Lady Jade replied " All the time all the time.” She ordered a chance for fans of the music of South Dallas to finally experience the local talent known in their own backyard.