Written by | Ray Cornelius
Yours truly was treated like royalty Wednesday night at the Unusual Achievements Dinner presented by The Starfire Group and Hendricks Gin. The invitation only event took place at Atlanta’s historic Callanwolde Fine Arts Center and was attended by a number of movers and shakers. I must admit, I really didn’t know what to expect when I received the invitation. However, when I arrived and was personally greeted at the door, I knew this was not your typical black-tie affair.
Once inside, I was immediately treated to a Hendricks Gin cocktail and took photos of the evening’s guests around a gigantic Christmas tree in the middle of the grand foyer. After a few minutes of cocktailing and picture taking, the evening’s host, I’na Saulsbery, made her grand entrance (wearing a dress by Project Runway designer Mychael Knight) and ushered us into the ballroom.
Once inside, we were greeted by the sounds of jazz saxophonist Eric Thomas and Elevate the Quest along with special guest vocalist Scar. Saulsbery took to the microphone and “christened” us as the first class of Unusual Achievement honorees. The dinner was a concept that she’d worked on for over a year and was her way of acknowledging Atlanta’s emerging and established influencers. Each of us were strategically seated next to someone we didn’t know and under an adjective that described our unique personalities including extraordinary, exuberant and excellence.
Honorees included One Music Fest creator Jay Carter, brand builders Nicole Gardner and Monica Coleman, Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall, DJ Blak Magic, Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta starlet Ariane Davis, BOSSIP.com’s managing editor Janee Bolden, music executives Keinon Johnson and Mali Hunter, fashion designer Mychael Knight and many more.
Evening highlights included the amazing five course meal prepared by Chef Ashley, the exotic carnival dancers, creating our very own Hendricks Gin cocktail and the one-of-a-kind hand painted Unusual Achievement “awards” created by Atlanta artist Monica Tookes.
Check out more the photos below from the evening’s festivities: