Presidential Candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton Confirmed to Speak at the 2007 Essence Music Festival Presented by Coca-Cola

Presidential Candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton Confirmed to Speak at the 2007 Essence Music Festival Presented by Coca-Cola

Senator to Visit New Orleans During Fourth of July Weekend to Address the Nation's Largest Annual Gathering of African-Americans Celebrating Black Music and Culture

NEW YORK, July 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton has confirmed an appearance at the 13th Annual Essence Music Festival in New Orleans on Friday, July 6, it was announced today by Essence Communications Inc. As a result, the Senator will be in New Orleans during Fourth of July weekend to address the nation's largest annual gathering of African-Americans celebrating Black music and culture.

After being displaced to Houston in 2006 due to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the 13th Annual Essence Music Festival will celebrate its homecoming to New Orleans this July 5, 6, and 7 with the biggest names in entertainment and the country's most dynamic speakers, authors and leaders. In addition, the renowned "Party with a Purpose" has partnered with the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) to support education. A portion of all concert ticket proceeds will benefit the CDF Freedom Schools in New Orleans.

"We are very excited to have Senator Clinton join us and share in the dialogue at the Essence Music Festival's Empowerment Seminars, especially this year as we are 'Coming Home,'" said Michelle Ebanks, President, Essence Communications Inc. "An appearance by a leading presidential candidate underscores the social and cultural significance of the Essence Music Festival and will help us to shine a spotlight on New Orleans' continued recovery."

"This is a critical time in the lives of the people of New Orleans and in the recovery of the city," added Susan L. Taylor, Editorial Director, ESSENCE. "The Empowerment Seminars offer a great platform for Senator Clinton to speak to residents and African-Americans from throughout the nation about the issues that matter most during these challenging times."

"I am especially pleased to attend the Essence Music Festival this year as they celebrate 'homecoming' and return to New Orleans two years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina," said Senator Clinton. "I look forward to the opportunity to engage with festival attendees during the Empowerment Seminars to talk about my candidacy and my commitment to addressing issues that are important to the African American community," she added.

Senator Clinton will appear at the 3-day Festival's day-time Empowerment Seminars, taking place in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. As previously announced, Senator Barack Obama will also participate in the Essence Music Festival, speaking on Thursday, July 5 at the Louisiana Superdome.

Main stage performances for the Essence Music Festival include: Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Ciara, Steve Harvey, Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley, Ludacris, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Ne-Yo, The O'Jays with Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill, Lionel Richie, Kelly Rowland and Robin Thicke.

Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com, (800)-488-5252. For updates on performers, hotel accommodations, ticket prices and weekly promotions, visit www.essence.com.

Sponsors of the 2007 Essence Music Festival include presenting sponsor, Coca-Cola; major sponsors Budweiser, McDonald's, Chevrolet, Sony, U.S. Army, Verizon and Wal-Mart; and official sponsors HBO, L'Oreal Paris, Southwest Airlines, TBS, Vaseline and VH1 Soul.

The 2007 Essence Music Festival is produced by Essence Festivals in association with Festival Productions Inc. - New Orleans and AEG Live. Essence Festivals LLC is a division of Essence Communications Inc. (ECI). ECI is also the publisher of ESSENCE magazine. ESSENCE, after 37 years, continues to be the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women.

Source: Essence Communications Inc.

CONTACT: Dana Baxter of ESSENCE, +1-212-522-1634, dbaxter@essence.com; or
Press Office, Hillary Clinton for President, +1-703-875-1271,
press@hillaryclinton.com

Web site:

http://www.essence.com/

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