Al Green [ tickets ], Maxwell [ tickets ], Anita Baker [ tickets ], John Legend [ tickets ] and Salt-N-Pepa are among the recently announced artists scheduled to perform at the Essence Music Festival [ tickets ], being held July 3-5 in New Orleans. They join previously announced headliner Beyonce [ tickets ] for the 15th anniversary of the festival that combines music with three full days of empowerment seminars, according to a press release.

This year's empowerment seminars will include appearances by Bill Cosby, Donna Brazile, Tom Joyner, Hill Harper and Sheryl Lee Ralph, among others. Topics include Black Women in the Media, Black America's State of the Union, State of the Black Family, The Black Church-Roles and Responsibilities, as well as talks on education, politics, the economy, and AIDS/HIV, among others.

The musical line-up spans generations and genres with appearances by more than 30 acts, including Robin Thicke, Solange, Ne-Yo, En Vogue, Eric Benet, Raphael Saadiq, Zap Mama, Blind Boys of Alabama, Brand New Heavies, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and more.

As in past years, musical performances will take place at the Superdome and the cultural seminars at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Empowerment seminars are free of charge and are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.