Amuse YOUR SENSES

Riding on the theme "The Power of Our Voice," the festival kicks off with special awards: Aretha Franklin will receive the Festival's first ever Power Awards, in honor of this year's theme; McDonald's will give its 360 Black Awards to Chaka Khan, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Grant Hill and teen inventor Tony Hasberry II at the Mahalia Jackson theater; and Beverly Bond will present the My Black Is Beautiful and UNCF will present its scholarship to a winner at the MYBIB booth. Comedy returns to the festival in the form of current "it" comic, Kevin Hart, who will perform at the superdome (he's celebrating his birthday party tonight, Friday, the 6th, sponsored by Hennessy at the Saint Hotel on Canal street).

In between concerts and private parties, every brand that has ever touched the lives of African American women and men will be on hand to show you a good time. Here's our quick guide to the best things to check out for this weekend.

Convention Center (free)
Where: 900 Convention Center Blvd. Engage in all Empowerment Experiences, get free hand massages, makeup consultations and hair styling services at the My Black Is Beautiful Booth (see specific schedule on next page)
Friday, July 6th 11:05AM: Melissa Harris-Perry speaks on "The Power of Our Sisters"
12:50PM: Reality stars dish on "Families In the Name of Love" the truth behind reality TV
2PM: Vanessa Williams and her mom, Helen Williams on the mother-daughter relationships
2:45PM: Finding Love at Any Age with Shirley Strawberry, LisaRaye McCoy, Denise Vasi, Eva Marcille and Beverly Johnson
4PM: Rooted in the Love of Fatherhood hosted by Soledad O'Brien
4:50PM: What Men What with DB Woodside (Single Ladies), Terrence J, Terrell Tillford (Single Ladies) Friday, July 6th 2PM: Verizon Wireless sponsors Block Party Where: Begins at Canal and St. Charles Streets. Catch Doug E. Fresh, Amanda Seales, Carla Ferrell and Beverly Bond.

Friday July 6, 2012
10:00-11:00AM: Crest Fashion Consultations w/Kimmie Smith 
11:05AM: MBIB Concert Ticket Giveaway w/Kimmie Smith  
11:30AM-12:00PM: GAIN matching making session
12:45PM: MBIB concert ticket giveaway
12:45-4:45PM: Photographer at Booth
1:00-2:00PM: Makeup demonstration with Ashunta Shariff
1:00-5:00PM: Bevy Smith at booth
2:00-2:20 PM: Meet and Greet with Goapele
2:25PM-2:35 PM: UNCF SCHOLARSHIP and Presentation by Beverly Bond and Monica McCluney 
3:30-4:00PM: GAIN Matchmaking Session 
4:10PM: UNCF Scholarship Presentation 
4:30-5:15PM: Crest Fashion Consultations w/Kimmie Smith 
5:20PM: MBIB Concert Ticket Giveaway w/Kimmie Smith 

Saturday July 7, 2012
10:15-10:30AM: CREST Fashion Show with Wen Shi 
10:35AM: MBIB Ticket Giveaway w/Wen Shi 
11:15-11:45AM: GAIN Matchmaking Session 
11:50AM: MBIB Ticket Giveaway w/GAIN Game Host Demetria Lucas 
12:00-4:00PM: Bevy Smith at Booth 
1:00PM: UNCF Scholarship Presentation 
1:15-1:30PM: Crest Fashion Show with Wen Shi 
2:00-3:00PM: Makeup Demo with Ashunta Sheriff 
3:05PM: UNCF Scholarship
3:30-4:00PM: GAIN Matchmaking Session w/Demetria Lucas 
4:10PM: UNCF Scholarship Presentation 
4:45-5:00PM: CREST Fashion Show with Wen Shi  
5:05PM: MBIB Ticket Giveaway 

For the past eight years Carol's Daughter has delivered a pop-up store during the festival, providing lovers of the brand with a star-studded shopping experience complete with complimentary drinks and styling services. This year, there is a purpose to the shopping. Last night kicked off percentage of the proceeds goes toward the New Orleans's Dress for Success chapter.
Friday, July 6th
1PM: Meet & Greet with Goapele
2PM: Meet & Greet with Kenny Lattimore
4PM: Meet & Greet with Tamia Six-time Grammy-nominated
5:30PM: Meet & Greet with Tank Tank

Saturday July, 7th
1PM: Meet & Greet with Trina Braxton
2PM: Meet & Greet with Eric Benet

Sunday, July 8th
12PM: Meet & Greet with TV One’s R&B Divas: Faith Evans, Syleena Johnson, Nicci Gilbert, Monifah and Keke Wyatt
2PM: Meet & Greet with Teedra Moses Teedra
3PM: Meet & Greet with Eric Roberson
WHERE: 216 Decatur Street New Orleans, LA 70130