Begun in 1995 as Essence magazine’s 25th birthday party, the Essence Music Festival has become, in the words of its founders, “the largest African-American music and empowerment event in the country,” attracting more than 200,000 people each year. This summer, the festival celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Held each July in New Orleans, the event features top musical stars and a host of inspirational and spiritual speakers, along with dozens of vendors and exhibitors in the Essence Marketplace and Art Expo. Tents and kiosks feature art, crafts, African imports, cultural and traditional merchandise and festival memorabilia. Essence Fest is also about fashion and brings out the finest of fine dress.

“We cater to the same people who read our magazine,” says the festival’s entertainment director Cori Murray. Headliners from past years have included Beyoncé, LL Cool J, Lionel Ritchie, John Legend, Anita Baker, Public Enemy, The Roots, Bill Cosby, Chris Rock and Cedric the Entertainer.

Essence Music Festival is unique among major events in New Orleans and throughout the country, and it ranks among the most popular events in the world designed for African-American audiences.

Tickets for the 2010 festival, scheduled July 2-4, are on sale now. For details, visit http://www.essencemusicfestival.com/