00:00Hi, I'm LaToya Cantrell, Mayor of the City of New Orleans.
00:05The ongoing challenges that we've been faced with, the COVID-19 pandemic, the civil unrest
00:12that we've experienced, the systemic racism that has been unveiled has been unprecedented.
00:20The City of New Orleans, along with communities of color throughout the United States of America,
00:27have been disproportionately impacted by this pandemic, which has pulled the veil off of
00:33longstanding social injustice throughout our country.
00:39Over the past three months, the City of New Orleans has gone from being a hotspot, having
00:45some of the highest cases of COVID-19 in the United States of America, to being a leader
00:52in recovery, flattening the curve and saving lives.
00:57Our response must be grounded and rooted in knowing and embracing the disparity gaps that
01:03exist within our communities.
01:06Today is our day to take the much-needed action to right this wrong.
01:13The Essence Festival of Culture has always been that reminder of the power, tenacity and love
01:22generated by the people and for the people.
01:26We may not be able to be together physically, but this virtual experience will bring us together
01:33at a time when we truly need it the most.
01:37I want to thank Essence for honoring the City of New Orleans tonight with a special tribute
01:43concert featuring some of our best musicians that money simply cannot buy.
01:50Miss Irma Thomas, Big Freda, Tank and the Bangas, and more.
01:57We look forward to welcoming Essence back to the City of New Orleans in 2021.
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