Aretha Franklin Walks the Red Carpet at the 2012 Trumpet Awards Red Carpet Event held on Saturday, January 7.

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              Aretha Franklin
I am too dependent on my GPS. I even use it when I don’t really need it. The first thing that I did, on my way to the 2012 Trumpet Awards Red Carpet Event, was key in the address for the Cobbs Energy Performing Arts Centre. When my GPS pointed me in the opposite direction of I-20, I knew that I had enabled the avoid highways option. In a matter of minutes, I was on my way heading in the right direction.

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   (left) Xernona Clayton and Ted Turner, recipient of the Golden Trumpet Award

Upon my arrival at the Performing Arts Centre at 11:40 am, I immediately signed in at the media desk and was appointed a spot on the red carpet. As it so happens, It started to drizzle around 1:00 pm, so the media, stationed outdoors, was asked to come into the Cobb Energy Performing Arts building. While waiting inside for the light rain to pass, I decided to write a few notes.

This is the 20th Anniversary of the Trumpet Awards. If one would ask Xernona Clayton about the occasion, she may reminisce about the time when she first approached Ted Turner, founder of CNN and TBS, about the idea of honoring African Americans who excelled in their endeavors. Colleagues had advised her to be well prepared when she spoke to him, so Xernona Clayton stayed up all night working on her proposal. To her delight, Ted Turner approved of the idea without asking any questions. “Let’s do it,” he said. Xernona Clayton, founder and executive producer of the Trumpet Awards and president and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation,  may also tell you how the Trumpet Awards has evolved to become an international event that has influenced other cultures.

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 Tyrese Gibson, Actor - Pinnacle Award Recipient

The weather cleared, so back to our designated stations the media went. While waiting for the arrivals, a couple of photographers spotted actor/rapper Ice-T’s daughter LeTesa who was covering the Trumpet Awards. All eyes were on her blue suede, leopard print, over-the-knee high boots. That’s a mouthful. She’s very personable. LeTesha commented that she was supposed to be working not taking pictures. One of the photographers replied, ”You knew that you were going to get noticed when you put those boots on.” She smiled and said “yeah.”

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         (left) Mrs. Carolyn Young

 On the Red Carpet 2:30 pm

A host of dignitaries and celebrities came out to celebrate the Trumpet Awards 20th Anniversary. Aretha Franklin appeared on the red carpet dressed in a beautiful blue gown. The Queen of Soul came to accept the Civil Rights Warrior Award on behalf of her late father Rev. C. L. Franklin. Others who graced the red carpet include Senator John Lewis; Ted Turner, recipient of the Golden Trumpet Award; Tyrese Gibson, Pinnacle Award recipient; Blair Underwood, Actor; Mrs. Carolyn Young (Rev. Andrew Young was in Ghana), Earth, Wind & Fire, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient; Emmitt and Pat Smith, NFL Hall-of-Fame -recipient of the Humanitarian Award; and Rev. Run to name a few.

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Emmitt and Pat Smith, NFL Hall Of Fame
Humanitarian Award Recipient

Highlights 

Gloria Goven from the Basketball Wives attended the event as well.  When asked who are you wearing? Ms. Goven replied, ” BCBG. I shop at the Mall like everyone else.”

When Ted Turner arrived, the announcer warned the media that he was not going to stop for photos. The photograph that I took of him and Xernona Clayton was one of my favorites.

When Rolling Out asked Blair Underwood about Valentines Day, he responded “My wife’s birthday is next week. I have to concentrate on that first!”

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                      Earth, Wind & Fire – Lifetime Achievement Award

 

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                         Congressman John Lewis

  The Fashion Report

Black evening attire was popular on the Red Carpet at the Trumpet Awards. Mid-range jewel tones were in style as well. Most popular  were gowns in royal blue or deep violet, which prove to be alternatives to navy and dark purple.

One family coordinated their look. The wife wore a gray gown while her daughter sported evening wear in pink. The husband is a recipient of the Power at the Front Door Award. An honor for hotel general managers of African decent.

After photographing the last arrivals, the media packed up. As always, I had a great time. While in my car, the first thing that I did was tap the “home” option on my GPS. When the system directed my car to I-285, I rerouted to I-75 and headed home.

The taping of the Trumpet Awards Ceremony was held at the Cobbs Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta,  on Saturday, January 7, 2012. 

The first broadcast viewing window on local networks for the Trumpet Awards is March 24-May 6, 2012; WSB-TV (ABC) in Atlanta, GA will air during this time.  The Trumpet Awards will also air on April 8, 2012 on TV One.  Wayne Brady will serve as host.  Special guests include The O’Jays, Mint Condition and Naturally Seven.

Angela Ragsdale

　CLICK ON LINK TO SEE CLIP FEATURING TYRESE AND BLAIR UNDERWOOD ON THE RED CARPET  http://www.atltrends.com/News.htm

 

 

On the Red Carpet at the Trumpet Awards

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  Blair Underwood
            Blair Underwood, Actor

 Rev. Run
                 Rev. Run

 Rev. Willie Bolden, International Civil Rights Walk of Fame Inductee
     Rev. Willie Bolden, International
     Civil Rights Walk of Fame Inductee

Ms.-Bolden
           Georgianna Bolden

Gloria Govan from Basketball Wives
  Gloria Govan, Basketball Wives

Power at the Front Door Award for Hotel General Managers of African decent
(Center) Power at the Front Door Award
                      Recipient

 

 

Check out the video clip on http://www.atltrends.com/News.htm

 

The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame Induction Cermony

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This was my third year covering the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony.  In previously years, I’d leave at the end of the program preceding the unveiling of the footsteps.  Today I stayed.  What I discovered was that I had been missing the most moving part of the event.  When the 2012 International Civil Rights Walk of Fame Inductees stood in their imprinted footsteps, one could feel the presence of those who stood before them.  

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Unlike the Hollywood Walk of Fame, these stars are foot soldiers of justice who sacrificed and struggled to make equality a reality for all.  Created in 2004 by Xernona Clayton, The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame has become one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city of Atlanta and has enriched the heritage of the civil rights movement.

 The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame has also been an inspiration to other cultures in the recognition of those who are revered.

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The 2012 International Civil Rights Walk of Fame Inductees are Rev. Willie Bolden & JT Johnson and the Civil Rights Foot Soldiers, Rev. Dr. E. T. Caviness, Dosan Ahn Chang-ho, Constance W. Curry, Fred D. Gray, Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, Charles J. Ogletree Jr. and Dr. Walter F. Young.

The program preceding  the induction ceremony was held at the Ebenzer Baptist Church.  The unveiling of the footsteps occured at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, National Park Service on Friday, January 6, 2012. 

Trumpet Awards Foundation Announces 2012 Award Honorees

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Xernona Clayton- Founder, President and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc. and Creator and Executive Producer of the Trumpet Awards

The Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc. and Xernona Clayton, creator and executive producer of the Trumpet Awards announce the names of the 2012 Trumpet Awards Honorees.  Topping the list are First Lady Michelle Obama, President’s Award (pending); Ted Turner, Golden Trumpet Award; Rev. C. L. Franklin (Posthumously) Civil Rights Warrior Award to be accepted by his daughter Aretha Franklin; and multi-Grammy award winning R & B Band Earth, Wind and Fire.

Other honorees include Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr., Medicine; Ambassador Nicole Avant, International; Mayor Cory Booker, Political Leadership; Mary Parker, Business; Emmitt and Pat Smith, NFL Hall-of-Fame-Humanitarian; and Tyrese Gibson, Pinnacle.  For the 20th Anniversary, the Trumpet Awards Foundation will also pay tribute to hotel general managers of African decent.  “The hotel industry has recently seen a significant change in its leadership as more African Americans move into positions of leadership.  We want to bring awareness to this compelling fact,” said Xernona Clayton, founder and executive producer of the Trumpet Awards, and president and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation Inc.  As a result, the “Power at the Front Door” award was created to salute Black hotel general managers including: Olivia Brown, Bryan Conyers, Larry Daniels, Michael Hopper, Adrian Hughes, Russell Miller, Erica Qualls, Michael Session, Michael Smith, Gail Smith-Howard, Michael Washington, Linda Westgate, Robert Woolridge, Erika Alexander, Lorenzo Creighton, Valerie Ferguson and Robert Steele.

The Trumpet Awards was  conceived by Xernona Clayton to acknowledge African Americans who excelled in their chosen endeavors,  against immense odds.  Although the accomplishments of Blacks are showcased, the Awards ceremony and events are inclusive and reflective of today’s diverse society.

AAt the conclusion of the press conference were the 2012 Trumpet Awards honorees were announced, I had an opportunity to speak with Ms. Constance W. Curry an inductee of the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.  Inductees were acknowledged at the press conference as well. I told her that I did not have the courage to risk my life for change.  “We were young,” she replied in a humble manner. She than spoke briefly about friendships with civil rights icons like John Lewis and those who had passed.  Ms. Curry than smiled and said that she would bring her sister to the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame ceremony where she will be honored.    I told her that I would look for her footsteps in the Walk of Fame.  The 2012 inductees are Rev. Willie Bolden & JT Johnson and the Civil Rights Foot Soldiers, Rev. Dr. E. T. Caviness, Dosan Ahn Chang Ho, Constance W. Curry, Attorney Fred D. Gray, Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, Charles J. Ogletree Jr. and Dr. Walter F. Young.

The Trumpet Awards press conference was held on December 8, 2011 at the Atlanta Hyatt Regency Hotel.  The Trumpet Awards ceremony will take place on January 7, 2012 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta.  The program will be broadcasted on TVOne. Wayne Brady will serve as host.

The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame induction will be held on January 6, 2012 at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

Special Moments

When Xernona Clayton spoke with Aretha Franklin about honoring the multi-Grammy award winner, Ms. Franklin mention how active her father, the Rev. C. L. Franklin, was during the Civil Rights movement.   Aretha Franklin said that her father had never been recognized for his work and  if  The Trumpet Award Foundation  honored him, she would come to accept the award on his behalf.  The Rev. C. L. Franklin, also known as Bishop C. L. Franklin, was involved in the Civil Rights Movement and worked to end discriminatory practices against black United Auto Workers members in Detroit. 

Mr. Ted Turner resisted being in the spotlight.  After being urged by the media, he did pose for several pictures before joking ” I’ve got to get back to work.”

Xernona Clayton, who wanted us to mention that the press conference started on time :) , looked stunning in a Black and White ensemble.

2012 Trumpet Awards Honorees (left) Erica Qualls, Ted Turner and Mary Parker

 We can’t forget the sponsors.  Corporate support helps to make the production of the Trumpet Awards possible.  Some of the major sponsors include: The Coca-Cola Company; Wells Fargo; Anheuser-Busch; Delta Air Lines; Nordstrom; Newell Rubbermaid; Cadillac; Chevrolet, Buick-GMC; Hyatt Regency Atlanta; The Home Depot; and more.

Turner Broadcasting created the Trumpet Awards in 1993,

LUDACRIS AND KESHIA KNIGHT PULLIAM GIVE THANKS BY GIVING BACK

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(right)Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam and Ludacris' mom and President of the Ludacris Foundation Roberta Shields (to Keshia's right) take a moment to have fun with the photographer before distributing turkeys and holiday boxes to 500 underserved families.

 
 
 
In Atlanta, when one speaks of Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, it’s as if they are talking about a friend. Reason being, the award winning musician and actor is always extending a helping hand to those who are less fortunate. The community feels his presence. In what has become a tradition, The Ludacris Foundation along with actress Keshia Knight Pulliam and her foundation, Kamp Kizzy, distributed Thanksgiving turkeys, greens, and sweet potatoes — to residents of metro Atlanta.
 
 
 The event took place on Sunday, November 20, 2011 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Harland Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta. Over 500 underserved families were accommodated. Sam’s Club and Pepsi sponsored the event.
 
  
 

The Thanksgiving turkey giveaway is a part of the Foundation’s LudaCares Initiative. The LudaCares Initiative is dedicated to supporting kids and families in need during the holiday season. “This is the foundation’s tenth year giving away turkeys and distributing food boxes for Thanksgiving. This year more people are in need than any other year that we have distributed food because of the failing economy and the tough job market, said Ludacris. It’s important for us all to remember to TURN BACK, REACH BACK, and GIVE BACK!!”

To learn more about The Ludacris Foundation visit http://www.theludacrisfoundation.org. Please give them your support.
Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam has been a role model for generations of young girls. Her continued public presence both on and off the big screen has given her the platform to influence all those who see her. Recognizing the absence of positive imagery of young girls for young girls, Keshia felt compelled to establish a non-profit foundation such as Kamp Kizzy to empower their spirits.
Taking the hands on approach to improving her community from her years as a Bonner Scholar to volunteering at Hosea Feed the Hungry, service is something that has long been close to Keshia’s heart.  
The Ludacris Foundation
Roberta Shields, President
Barry Florence, Publicist
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!