Written by | Ray Cornelius 

Civil Rights pioneer Xernona Clayton and her Trumpet Foundation celebrated 23 years of excellence Saturday night by presenting the 2015 Trumpet Awards. The annual award ceremony took place at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center and was sponsored by American Family Insurance and GM.

Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice Honoree

 Honoree Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice with husband

The Trumpet Awards acknowledges the accomplishments of Black Americans who have succeeded against immense odds. Special recognition is given to the few, who symbolize the many, who have overcome the ills of racism and poverty and achieved special greatness. Awards are given in areas of education, medicine, arts & entertainment, business & entrepreneurship, and community service.

Isaac and Janelle

 Red Carpet host Isaac Carree interviewing Honoree Janelle Monaé

This year’s honorees included Baseball Hall of Famer, Lou Brock; Carnival Corporation CEO, Arnold W. Donald; Fashion Icon Tommy Hilfiger; President of PVH, Guy Vickers; President of The Morehouse School of Medicine, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice; Chairman of Sunshine Holdings LTD, Franklyn R. Wilson; Singer and Covergirl, Janelle Monaé; Multi-award winning entertainer, Jamie Foxx; and R&B icons, The Isley Brothers.

Andrew Young

 Ambassador Andrew Young and wife Carolyn Young

Celebrity presenters included Ted Lange, Egypt Sherrod, Cathy HughesJimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Roland Martin, Quvenzhané Wallis with special performances by Avery*Sunshine, Chanté Moore, Leela James, Ruben Studdard,The Bar-Kays, ConFunkShun, Dorinda Clark-Cole and many more.

This year’s ceremony was hosted by boxing champion, Laila Ali and “The Biggest Loser” star Dolvett Quince.

Check out red carpet photos below shot by yours truly:

Eygpt and DJ Fadelph

HGTV’s Egypt Sherrod and husband DJ Fadelf

Naturi Naughton Debra Cox

“Power” star Naturi Naughton and Singer Deborah Cox 

Jonathan Slocumb

Comedian Jonathan Slocumb

Jasmine Burke Mali Music

Actress& Singer Jasmine Burke/Recording artist Mali Music 

AverySunshine Monyetta Shaw

R&B singer Avery*Sunshine/”Atlanta Exes” star Monyetta Shaw 

Michael Cooper and Con Funk Shon

R&B/Funk legends ConFunkShun

Quvenzhane Wallis Ted Lange

Oscar nominated actress Quvenzhané Wallis/ TV icon Ted Lange with soap star Chrystee Pharris

Mystikal and Shae Johnson

“Love and Hip Hop Atlanta” star Shay Johnson with hip-hop star Mystikal

Lou Gossett Jr. Leela James

Oscar winner Louis Gossett, Jr./”R&B Diva” star Leela James

Tyler Lepley

 “The Have and the Have Nots “actor Tyler Lepley

Rosci Diaz

 “Entertainment Tonight” Correspondent Rocsi Diaz 

Rita Love Owens

 American Family Insurance’s Rita Love Owens and guest

 Lou Brock Honoree Dorinda Clark Cole

 Honoree Lou Brock and wife/ Gospel legend Dorinda Clark-Cole

Janelle Monae Juanita Baranco

Honoree Janelle Monaé/Past honoree Juanita Baranco with family

Erin Isley

Honoree Ernie Isley and wife

 Dr. Jackie M2M Arnold Donald Honoree

 “Married to Medicine” star Dr. Jackie Walters with guest/Honoree Arnold W. Donald and wife

Erica Dixon

“Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta” star Erica Dixon with daughter

Claudia and Jamie Foxx

RHOA star Claudia Jordan with Honoree Jamie Foxx

 Laila Ali

Trumpet Award host Laila Ali with guest

Jamie with Kathy Hughes

Honoree Jamie Foxx with TV One’s Cathy Hughes

 Carlos King RHOA Chante Moore

 RHOA Executive Producer Carlos King/”R&B Diva” star Chante Mooré

Xernona Clayton

 Trumpet Awards Creator and Civil Rights Icon, Xernona Clayton

The Trumpet Awards will air on TV One February 21.

Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com

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