New Orleans, La. -- The Essence Music Festival kicked off Thursday with a heavy focus on young people.
Thursday night's concert at the Superdome features young artists, and earlier Essence held empowerment seminars for young children as well as teenagers at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
New Orleans is a city where much of the violence involves young African-American males, so speakers urged the young attendees to shun illegal drugs and violence.
"Everyday I will be the best me, come say the best me that I could possibly be," a speaker led the audience in chanting.
The four-day extravaganza will attract tens of thousands of visitors to the city and offer star-studded performances, including a tribute to the "Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin. But the initial hours were dedicated to the young.
"If we don't do our part then some of our kids in our communities will be lost," said Army Brigadier General Henry Huntley, who addressed the youngsters.
Hornets head coach Monty Williams was also in attendance. And in conjunction with the mayor's "Save Our Sons" initiative, the girls and boys were eventually separated for sessions tailored to them.
"When you look at the statistics about who's shooting and who's getting shot, guess who we're talking about... All right, we're talking about young people, primarily African-American men between 16 and 25," said Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
"It breaks my heart when I see or hear things like that. But what I'd like to ask our young people is to be able to look at each other and understand that we're all human beings and it's about dignity and respect, truly having respect for life," added General Huntley.
The reviews from the young people were positive.
"I thought that it was very empowering, I think that they taught us how to be beautiful and love ourselves," said Danielle Adossa.
"Mainly talked about role models and influence and how not to go under the wrong influence... I think it was very good advice," stated Ashton Demas.
"This is my first time seeing anybody famous, it really, you know, it really impressed me," said Nicole Chambliss," another teenager.
"I gotta just make better decisions, you know, make better choices... to make my mom, my family proud," said Dennis Jacques, a teen who took part in the seminars.
