00:00Hi, I'm LaToya Cantrell, Mayor of the City of New Orleans.
00:04The ongoing challenges that we've been faced with, the COVID-19 pandemic,
00:11the civil unrest that we've experienced, the systemic racism that has been unveiled
00:18has been unprecedented. The City of New Orleans, along with communities of color
00:24throughout the United States of America, have been disproportionately impacted by this pandemic,
00:30which has pulled the veil off of long-standing social injustice throughout our country.
00:39Over the past three months, the City of New Orleans has gone from being a hot spot,
00:44having some of the highest cases of COVID-19 in the United States of America,
00:50to being a leader in recovery, flattening the curve and saving lives. Our response must be grounded
00:59and rooted in knowing and embracing the disparity gaps that exist within our communities. Today
01:07is our day to take the much-needed action to right this wrong. The Essence Festival of Culture has always
01:16been that reminder of the power, tenacity, and love generated by the people and for the people.
01:25We 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. I want to thank Essence for honoring the City of New Orleans
01:41tonight with a special tribute concert featuring some of our best musicians that money simply cannot buy.
01:50Miss Irma Thomas, Big Freda, Tank and the Bangas, and more. We look forward to welcoming Essence
01:59back to the City of New Orleans in 2021.
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