Written by | Ray Cornelius
The city of Atlanta’s 31st Annual Mayor’s Masked Ball was held recently at the fabulous Atlanta Marriott Marquis. The fundraising gala benefited 37 UNCF member colleges and universities including Clark-Atlanta University, Morehouse and Spelman Colleges and recognized the immeasurable contributions of civil rights pioneers, Dr. C.T. Vivian and Dr. Joseph Lowery.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed with UNCF’s Dr. Michael Lomax
The event was hosted by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and First Lady Sarah Elizabeth Reed along with President and CEO of UNCF Michael Lomax. Co-Chairs included General Manager of Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Erica Qualls-Battey; Publisher of Atlanta Business Chronicle, Ed Baker; and Thomas Dortch of TWD.
Chris Tucker with Fox 5 Atlanta’s Cynne Simpson
A bevy of ATL celebrities were in attendance including rappers Ludacris, Young Jeezy and Big Boi; actors Chris Tucker, Jasmine Burke, Brad James, and Palmer Williams. Reality stars DJ Traci Steele, Phaedra Parks, Dwight Eubanks were also spotted along with media personality Fonzworth Bentley and filmmaker Will “Power” Packer. There was also a Parade of Masks led by the Bahamas Masqueraders and Junkanoo Carnival 2015 and live music from CAU’s world-renowned Jazz Orchestra.
Rappers Young and Ludacris with DTP CEO Chaka Zulu
Closing out the evening was 10-time Grammy-winning vocalist Chaka Khan, who performed a medley of her biggest hits including “Through the Fire,” “I Feel for You,” “I’m Every Woman” and “Everlasting Love.” She was also awarded the city’s highest honor(The Phoenix Award) for her indelible imprint on the music industry and her numerous philanthropic efforts.
Check out more photos below:
Actress Jasmine Burke with her mother/Author Patrice Cunningham + guest
Dr. Michael Lomax with honoree Dr. C.T. Vivian
Author Pearl Cleage and daughter Deignan /RHOA’s Dwight Eubanks and Phaedra Parks
Young Jeezy + guest
Actor Brad James and singer Ahki/Baseball legend Hank Aaron
Will Packer, Mayor Reed, Young Jeezy, Ludacris and Jonathan Slocumb “Hands Up”
Former “American Idol” contestant Alexis Cierra + guest/Beauty Maven Maya Sly
DJ Traci Steele/Jazz vocalist & BLFF’s Kathleen Bertrand + guest
Antwan “Big Boi” Patton and wife Sherlita Patton at Gala Dinner
Chaka Khan performing “I Feel for You”
Chaka Khan is a 10-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter
The power of social media
Chaka Khan receiving the Phoenix Award from Mayor Kasim Reed & First Lady Sarah Elizabeth Reed
Check out Chaka Khan singing “Through the Fire” below:
Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com