Essence_Magazine's Blog

On Friday, October 30 at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, IL, ESSENCE editors and some of the most brillant speakers will blow into the windy city at the ESSENCE Empowerment Conference. This day of transformation will be the perfect environment for our experts to share strategies and resources to help registrants achieve the success they're striving for. It's a day to get tips on how you can transform your finances; transition to a new career; launch, nurture and grow your business; network effectively; create your personal brand and so much more. To find out how you can hear from these great minds and network with other intelligent women, visit essence.com/empowerment.

The nightly line up has been set for the 2009 ESSENCE Music Festival presented by Coca Cola. It's the Ultimate Party Weekend in New Orleans July 3-5 and you don't want to miss it! Beyonce', John Legend and Ne-Yo kick off the Festival Friday night. Maxwell, Anita Baker and Robin Thicke take the stage Saturday; Lionel Richie and Teena Marie close out Sunday with our All-Star Salute to Maze featuring Frankie Beverly with music tributes and a performance by the legends themselves. We've got many more of your favorite artists on the Main Stage and the SuperLounge each night in the Superdome. The weekend also includes FREE empowering seminars during the day at the convention center featuring the biggest names in Black culture including Dr. Juanita Bynum, Bill Cosby, CNN's Roland Martin, Hill Harper and our Tribute to Bishop TD Jakes. Single concert tickets are on sale NOW. Get the best seats in the house each night with our weekend packages. To find out more visit EssenceMusicFestival.com

Essence Celebrates Black Hollywood

From the silver screen to those behind the scenes, check out our celebrity-filled salute to Tinseltown!

- Read exclusive Q&A interviews with Don Cheadle, Kerry Washington, Raven-Symone, Paula Patton and More

- See our Spike Lee movie tribute photo gallery

- Check out who's on the Black Hollywood Power List

Can Black men and women really be monogamous? Essence wants to hear both sides of the story: male and female

Please take this brief, anonymous poll and tell us about your relationship experiences - then encourage your mates, friends and family to take it too. The results will appear in an upcoming issue of the magazine. Thank You.

Monogamy Survey for Men: Click Here

Monogamy Survey for Women Click Here

Will You Marry Me?
In Essence.com's second annual special, six Black men propose marriage to the special ladies in their lives. Watch the videos on essence.com to find out how the women reacted, then vote for your favorite couple to win the ultimate wedding and honeymoon, courtesy of Royal Caribbean International.

Visit to essence.com right now to:

-Watch the video proposals and see the women's reactions

-Learn more about the couples and see their photo galleries

-Vote for your favorite couple

-Find out all about the 2007 couples: where are they now?

-Get wedding and honeymoon planning tips

-Submit your own proposal story

Ne-Yo Opens Up to Essence.com About His Beef with R.Kelly

After his dismissal from a national tour, R&B sensation Ne-Yo opens up about what really happened between him and The Pied Piper.

Scour the R&B section of any record store and you're bound to find Sharrif "Ne-Yo" Smith's blueprint for chart-topping hits on one of your favorite albums. In fact, the platinum-selling artist and prolific songwriter is such a hot commodity that veterans (Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Usher, Celine Dione, Beyonc ,) and new jacks (Rihanna, Chris Brown, Mario, Jennifer Hudson) alike are vying for his Midas touch. Last year, the Las Vegas wunderkind somehow found enough time to put down his pen and pad to infiltrate Tinseltown with a silver screen debut in the blockbuster, Stomp The Yard. ESSENCE.com caught up with the prince of R&B to discuss his real beef with R. Kelly, losing a son and grown-folks business.

Essence.com: Happy New Year! What are you up to?

Ne-Yo: I'm in Washington, D.C., rehearsing for a performance for a Michael Jackson tribute. I'll be singing "Lady of My Life."

Essence.com: You're always working! And I hear you never complain. Is that true?

N.Y.: Complain for what? I am blessed to be doing what I do. So if I have to be at a photo shoot, do an interview, or make a TV appearance I am not going to sit around whining and complaining about how I don't want to get up early or I don't feel like talking. It's part of the job. I don't understand when artists are complaining about doing their job. It's like, Are you serious? All you have to do is get on the phone and have a conversation, or show up and have your photo taken. I'm never going to complain about doing my job. I love what I do

Essence.com: That's a great attitude and work ethic. When we last spoke you expressed your hope that your sophomore album, Because of You, would allow your fans to get to know you better. Do you think you succeeded?

N.Y.: To a certain degree, but maybe not as much as I wanted to. I would even say this album was a bit schizophrenic because I did so many different kinds of songs. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the whole process I just think I could have taken a little more time before I sprung all that I did on them.

Essence.com: So you're saying your extreme diversity with various genres might have been premature?

N.Y.: Yeah, it might have been a little bit premature. I mean, the album went platinum, but just as far as my fans getting to know me better, I don't think I accomplished that.

Essence.com: So did you draw that conclusion on your own, or based on the feedback from friends, family and fans?

Visit Essence.com now for the answer to this questions and more of this exlusive intereview

You've asked and we heard you loud and clear. Now Prophetess JUANITA BYNUM opens up about her eagerly-anticipated new ministry that tackles domestic violence in the Black community, responds to her critics and explains why one day she'll be ready to love again. Read excerpts from the conclusion of her two-part exclusive interview in the January 2008 issue of ESSENCE, plus see a personal message from Reverend Bynum on essence.com.

BY DENENE MILLNER

ON HER NEW MISSION: "I don't want to backtrack. What I'm willing to bring to the table at this point is what I'm walking through right now. I believe that I can bring it and impart it into the hearts of women with conviction."

ON HER CRITICS: "People hating on me now are always going to hate. Half the people saying stuff, if I walked up to them in a beauty shop or in a store, would never say these things to my face. When I reflect on what God is still doing [in my life], I don't have time to focus on people who don't like me."

ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH: "I have preached in the church for years I was heartbroken to know that there were men of God who were in positions of ministry [who remain silent], and I refused to believe that nobody was hearing from God. I am a woman in the kingdom, and this happened to me, and I have absolutely no reason to lie about what happened to me."


Click here now to read the other highlights from this nterview with Juanita Bynum and see exclusive Essence.com behind-the-scenes video ..