MSNBC President Phil Griffin, ESSENCE President Michelle Ebanks, MSNBC’s PoliticsNation host Rev. Al Sharpton, ESSENCE Acting Managing Editor Vanessa Bush (Photo by Nathan Congleton/MSNBC)
*Essence Festival, formerly “Essence Music Festi...
MSNBC President Phil Griffin, ESSENCE President Michelle Ebanks, MSNBC’s PoliticsNation host Rev. Al Sharpton, ESSENCE Acting Managing Editor Vanessa Bush (Photo by Nathan Congleton/MSNBC)
*Essence Festival, formerly “Essence Music Festival,” has teamed with MSNBC to broadcast live at the 2013 Essence Festival to take place in New Orleans July 4-7.
The big announcement was celebrated at a special cocktail reception hosted by MSNBC’s President Phil Griffin with MSNBC’s “PoliticsNation” host Reverend Al Sharpton, Essence Communications President Michelle Ebanks, Essence Acting Managing Editor Vanessa Bush and members of the MSNBC and Essence teams on Thursday, June 13 at the New York City NBC Studio C to discuss the new MSNBC/Essence media partnership and joint-programming plans for this year’s Essence Festival in which MSNBC will broadcast live.
Joining Rev. Sharpton will be fellow MSNBC talent Chris Matthews, Chris Hayes, Ed Schultz, Melissa Harris-Perry, Alex Wagner, Tamron Hall, Joy-Ann Reid, Toure and Mara Schiavocampo who will also participate in Essence Empowerment Experience panels, book signings and meet and greets throughout the weekend. In addition to the live broadcasts on location MSNBC will host a unique fan experience that will allow festival-goers to join in efforts to strengthen and empower our communities.
Ebanks, looking quite chic in a red “power” suit, was Rev. Sharpton’s guest on his popular “PoliticsNation” show prior to the reception in which she eloquently spoke about what festival-goers can expect at this year’s show. Ebanks explained to me why the change in name. “The Essence Festival which celebrates the African American culture and music has always been about more than music. We have wonderful guest speakers, dynamic panels, book signings, art, fashion, gospel shows, etc. which encompasses the global African-American experience.”
Since its inception, MSNBC has become the premier cable destination for in-depth analysis of daily headlines, insightful political commentary and informed perspectives around the clock. The cable station has attracted a young audience because of its world-class reporting and a full schedule of live news coverage, political analysis and award-winning documentary.
The following MSNBC programs will broadcast live from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center during the Essence Festival: Friday, July 5:“Now with Alex Wagner” will air at Noon ET followed by “Hardball” at 1 p.m. ET., “NewsNation” at 2 p.m. ET, “PoliticsNation at 3 p.m. ET and then “The Ed Show” at 4 p.m. ET. Saturday, July 6: “Melissa Harris Perry” will air from 10 a.m. to Noon ET followed by “The Ed Show” at Noon ET and then “PoliticsNation” at 1 p.m. ET. Sunday, July 7: “Melissa Harris Perry” from 10 a.m. to Noon ET then “The Ed Show” from Noon to 1 p.m. ET and finally “PoliticsNation” from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET.
“As you know, MSNBC over the last few years has changed, and we are really making an effort to reflect this country in the 21st century, and I am not sure that there are many news and information outlets really doing that, I think most of them are stuck in the 20th century,” Griffin. “We are taking a huge team [to the festival], because this is so important to us. This fits with who we want to be, and what we are about.” (Photos by Nathan Congleton/MSNBC)
Headliner R&B group New Edition will perform at ESSENCE Festival
About the Essence Festival
There are only three weeks to go until the nation’s largest African American gathering of music and culture converges upon the city of New Orleans from July 4-7. This year, the 19th annual Essence Festival features a musical line-up that is second to none, including Beyonce, Maxwell, New Edition, Charlie Wilson, Brandy, Jill Scott and more. Festival-goers can also expect appearances from world-renowned speakers, authors, innovators and celebrities for the Essence Empowerment Experience, as well as an opportunity to engage with the world’s mos