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EDUCATION

The Latest: Essence Festival 2016 begins

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    FILE - In this Jan. 20, 2009, file photo, Mariah Carey performs at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball in Washington. Music is at the heart of the annual Essence Festival in New Orleans, and this year is no different. Fans will get to hear from first-timers Mariah Carey, Puff Daddy and Jeremih as well as from festival veterans Charlie Wilson, Maxwell, New Edition, Tyrese and Lalah Hathaway - all of whom are scheduled to perform inside the Superdome Friday, July 1, 2016, through Sunday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) (The Associated Press)

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    FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2002 file photo, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs performs at the 29th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Music is at the heart of the annual Essence Festival in New Orleans, and this year is no different. Fans will get to hear from first-timers Mariah Carey, Puff Daddy and Jeremih as well as from festival veterans Charlie Wilson, Maxwell, New Edition, Tyrese and Lalah Hathaway - all of whom are scheduled to perform inside the Superdome Friday, July 1, 2016, through Sunday. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File) (The Associated Press)

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    File - In this Jan. 26, 1998, file photo, Rapper Puff Daddy performs onstage during the 25th annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Music is at the heart of the annual Essence Festival in New Orleans, and this year is no different. Fans will get to hear from first-timers Mariah Carey, Puff Daddy and Jeremih as well as from festival veterans Charlie Wilson, Maxwell, New Edition, Tyrese and Lalah Hathaway - all of whom are scheduled to perform inside the Superdome Friday, July 1, 2016, through Sunday. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File) (The Associated Press)

NEW ORLEANS – The Latest on the annual Essence Festival held over the July 4th holiday in New Orleans (all times local):

5:25 p.m.

The 2016 Essence Festival has officially begun.

Essence Communications Inc. President Michelle Ebanks said she was thrilled to be back in New Orleans. She says the weekend always makes her feel like she's coming home.

Editor-in-chief Vanessa De Luca also thanked and acknowledged the "more than 500" volunteers who participated in their second annual "Day of Service," helping to give halls and classrooms at Cohen College Prep a fresh coat of paint. Singer Estelle, one of the event's headline performers this year, also participated in the community program.

Organizers launched this year's event with a press conference Thursday at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, where its free, daily empowerment experience will be held through Sunday. Nightly, ticketed concerts also are held at the Superdome as part of the festival.

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1:15 p.m.

There will be another new face at the 2016 Essence Festival but fans will have no problem recognizing her.

Organizers Thursday announced that popular television host and actress Oprah Winfrey will make her first-ever appearance at the festival at 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Additional details about her appearance have not been released.

Essence Editor-in-Chief Vanessa De Luca says Winfrey's message of inspiration is universal and "through her life's work, she has influenced women and girls across the globe."

De Luca says Winfrey accepted an invitation to the event by Iyanla Vanzant, a motivational speaker and life coach who's scheduled to address fans at the festival's free empowerment experience also on Saturday.

The festival is held through Sunday.

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2:50 a.m.

Music has always been at the heart of the annual Essence Festival, now in its 22nd year, and this year will be no different.

Fans will get to hear from first-timers Mariah Carey, Puff Daddy and Jeremih as well as from festival veterans Charlie Wilson, Maxwell, New Edition, Tyrese and Lalah Hathaway — all scheduled to perform inside the Superdome in New Orleans from Friday through Sunday.

And in continuing with its theme to "party with a purpose," organizers have prepared an empowerment experience inside the city's convention center that includes insight into current events and opportunities for entrepreneurs to get help in growing their businesses.

The event kicks off Thursday with a day of service. About 500 volunteers will help clean and paint Cohen College Prep school in New Orleans' central city.