00:00Hey Essence Festival, I'm Dana Johnson and we are right here in New Orleans, Louisiana for the 20th anniversary of the Essence Festival.
00:07We have Al Sharpton, Iyanla Van Zandt, Alicia Keys, Janelle Monae, Erykah Badu, and did I mention the Purple One Princess here?
00:14What are you looking forward to seeing at the Essence Festival?
00:16Trey songs, of course.
00:19Trey, Trey, Trey songs. Of course, all the ladies are always looking forward to Trey's songs.
00:23There's tons of fun activities, vendors, and we are in New Orleans, so there's great food right here at Essence Festival.
00:29So, while thousands are flying in, we're going to take you right in here for a behind-the-scenes sneak peek.
00:34Let's check it out.
00:43We are in the Convention Center at the 20th anniversary of the Essence Festival, and I have these two lovely gentlemen with me.
00:49What are you building here in the Convention Center?
00:51Right now we're working on the stage, laying some marley, getting the steps ready, and yesterday we completed the Essence letters behind us.
00:58Right here, guys, these are the hardest-working men at the Essence Festival.
01:02This is our private, off-site office location here at the Convention Center, which is massive.
01:07Everyone behind the scenes is extremely busy at work, and as soon as we fly in, about a week or so before the festival starts,
01:14they're up here, they're making last-minute changes, additions, making sure signage is set up,
01:18making sure all of our sponsors are happy, making sure all of our guests are happy,
01:21and they're really, really, really busy.
01:23There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes and a lot of hours that all of these people put into giving you
01:28the best experience and the best 20th anniversary that you're going to possibly get.
01:32Okay, Essence, there you have it.
01:33This is the preview before all of the action starts this weekend.
01:37I'm Dana Johnson.
01:38We're here at the Convention Center, and I may be saying bye for now, but this is only the beginning.
01:43Keep it right here at Essence.com for all of the action.
01:46Take a look.
01:47It's the beginning.
01:47It's the beginning.
01:47It's the beginning.
01:49It's the beginning.
01:49It's the beginning.
01:50It's the beginning.
01:51It's the beginning.
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