A Different World’s Charnele Brown, Dawnn Lewis and Jasmine Guy
Written by | Ray Cornelius
The SCLC Women, Inc. Drum Major for Justice Awards Gala was held Friday night at the Hyatt Regency downtown Atlanta. This year’s 35th anniversary celebration saluted three champions of civil and human rights—SCLC Women, Inc. founder Evelyn Lowery, First Lady Michelle Obama and Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin.
The evening featured moving tributes from SCLC Women, Inc. interim chair Scarlet Pressley-Brown, Elder Bernice A. King and Atlanta media mavens—Karyn Greer, Monica Pearson and Lisa Rayam. Trumpet Awards creator Zernona Clayton, Ambassador Andrew Young and his wife Carolyn Young and C.T. Vivian saluted the honorees during video presentations.
However, the real treat of the night was the reunion of A Different World cast members Charnele Brown, Dawnn Lewis and Jasmine Guy. The three divas recognized female pioneers that had changed the course of African-American history with a dramatic reading titled A Different World, Thanks To You.
Also in attendance were gala co-chairs, former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and Georgia Pacific Corporate Affairs executive Charmaine Ward. Christine King-Farris (sister of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) and Rev. Joseph Lowery was there with his three daughters – Yvonne Kennedy, Karen Lowery and Cheryl Lower-Osborne.
The gala was co-hosted by actor Mykelti Williamson and radio & TV personality Mo Ivory while gospel great Dorothy Norwood closed out the evening with a medley of inspirational tunes.
Check out some pictorial highlights below:
SCLC/Women, Inc. National Memorial STOP THE KILLING QUILT
Dr. Christine King-Ferris (sister of MLK) poses with gala attendees
Clark-Atlanta University Choir perform “We Shall Overcome”
Atlanta media mavens Karyn Greer and Monica Pearson
Sybrina Fulton delivered a moving acceptance speech
Mykelti Williamson, Mo Ivory, Sybrina Fulton and SCLC/Women, Inc. interim chair Scarlett Pressley-Brown
Daughters of the Movement: Elder Bernice A. King, Nancy Hill Cooke, Mary Liuzzo Lilleboe
and a Spelman student who stood in for Elizabeth Omilami
Monica Pearson, Karyn Greer and Lisa Rayam
Rev. Joseph E. Lowery
Charnele Brown, Dawnn Lewis and Jasmine Guy
Scarlet Pressley-Brown, Lowery and daughters, Shirley Franklin and Charmaine Ward
Dorothy Norwood took the audience to church with gospel music favorites
Photo Credits: Megan Alodie for RayCornelius.com