00:00My name is Gregoi Tillery. I'm from New Orleans, Louisiana. I am the operator and
00:09owner of Weedat's New Orleans Owned Chicken and Shrimp. I would describe myself as just being
00:13just a positive light in the city of New Orleans. Being an entrepreneur, having the only African
00:20American restaurant on Canal Street, that motivates the entire city, especially the
00:26African American community. A lot of people in the city come up to me at different times
00:33and different places and just tell me how much of an inspiration that is to see someone
00:38of our culture having something on Canal Street. I mean, it's just a big deal, especially in
00:43the city of New Orleans. My name is Jessica Strahan. I'm a New Orleans native. I'm a visual
00:50artist. I'm a mother of three. And I create portraitures on acrylic on canvas and wood.
01:00I use rice on wood to make jewelry. As an artist in New Orleans, I definitely feel the need
01:09to incorporate the city in my work. 619 South Peters. Setting destination. New Orleans around
01:18this time of the year is busy, vibrant, filled with people from all over the world. The Essence
01:27Festival gives the people who are visiting an opportunity to get to know about me as an artist.
01:34My name is Romy Rowe. I would describe myself as someone who's really edgy, who gains his
01:41inspiration from everyone that he meets. I truly believe that you can learn a lot from people.
01:47Inspiration is what drives a designer, any creative person. To go further, to push yourself, I think
01:54you have to draw from somewhere, and that's very important. I think New Orleans is really unique to
01:59itself. I think the city really prides itself on the artist and the person that's always traveling.
02:05I feel like all artists kind of connect and like display their art, and you can see it from their
02:11soul. It gives the city a really renewed vigor. My name is Willard Hill. I'm a recording artist and
02:18producer from New Orleans, Louisiana. I would mostly describe myself as a storyteller. So for me,
02:24the second line is not only a call to arms to be original, but it's also a reminder that music
02:32and life should be communal. New Orleans is real interesting around Essence Fest because it's one
02:39of the few times in the year that you see a lot of people come down. You know, some people come over
02:45from the UK, some people come over from France, you know, Germany, South Africa. It's a beautiful
02:51thing when it comes together.
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