Today’s announcement marks the conclusion of an extraordinary past year for the Atlanta, GA native and former Charlotte, NC accounts receivable specialist. After beating out hundreds of aspiring hopefuls in ESSENCE’s and platinum recording artist Perri “Pebbles” Reid’s search for America’s next R&B singing sensation, Greta impressed the panel of celebrity judges, music industry professionals and ultimately the fans, who voted for her as the winner at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival and capped her victory by opening for Mary J. Blige in front of 50,000 people at last year's Festival.

Comprising of recording studios, record labels, music publishing companies, direct marketing operations and distribution services, the Malaco Music Group takes original music from concept to consumer. Malaco has been making and marketing definitive Soul, Blues and Gospel music since 1968. Notwithstanding Malaco's move into mainstream Urban music, Malaco’s expanded repertoire also includes Jazz, Christian, as well as Children's music. Malaco is home to many recording artists and songwriters with a catalog of thousands of original recordings and musical copyrights. Additional information is available at www.malaco.com.

ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS INC.:

Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media company dedicated to African-American women, with a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online. The company’s flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Music Festival, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood and Black Women in Music, Window on Our Women and Smart Beauty consumer insights series, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 42 years, ESSENCE, which has a brand reach of over 8 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information and specific solutions relating to every area of African-American women’s lives. Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at www.essence.com.