Written by | Ray Cornelius

It was all about African-American achievement last night at the 2016 Trumpet Awards. The annual black-tie affair recognized some of the biggest and brightest names in the fields of education, medicine, arts & entertainment, politics, community service, and business.

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George Wallace with Arnez J, Rodney Perry, Mo’Nique & Cory “ZooMan” Miller

The lavish ceremony took place at Atlanta’s Cobb Energy Centre and was hosted by celebrated actors Nia Long and Terrence J. This year’s honorees included TV and film producer Will Packer, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Ne-Yo, comedic legend George Wallace, former U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman, General Motors executive Alicia Boler-Davis, Wayne County Community College Chancellor Dr. Curtis Ivery, Arun Gandhi (grandson of Mohandas Gandhi), and Her Royal Highness Basmah Bit Saud.

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Congresswomen on the red carpet

The award show also recognized over twenty “Women of Congress” including Donna Edwards, Alma Davis, Barbara Lee, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Brenda Lawrence, Corrine Brown, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Terri Sewell, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Frederica Wilson, Gwen Moore, Joyce Beatty, Karen Bass, Marcia Fudge, Maxine Waters, Robin Kelly, Shelia Jackson Lee, Stacey Plaskett, Yvette Clarke, and Mia Love.

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Salt-N-Pepa with Spinderella are celebrating 30 years in entertainment

This year’s celebrity presenters and performers included Deitrick Haddon, Kelly Price, Raheem DeVaughn, Vivian Green, Joe, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall, Christian Keyes, Bryshere Y. Gray, Mo’Nique, Brad James, Tweet, Andra Day and Trumpet Award announcer Al B. Sure.  There was also a special acknowledgement of Hip Hop pioneers Salt-N-Pepa and Spinderella. The trio is celebrating over 30 years in the music industry and opened the show alongside iconic rap stars MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, and Monie Love.

The Trumpet Awards was presented this year by Cadillac, Carnival Cruises, and American Family Insurance. It will premiere on BOUNCE TV January 29 at 9 p.m. EST and on January 31 at 3 p.m. EST.  Check out more photos from the red carpet and media lounge below:

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“Preachers of Atlanta” star Pastor Corey Hambrick

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“Love Thy Neighbor” star Palmer Williams Jr. and his wife

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BET’s Gospel music legend Dr. Bobby Jones  

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R&B singer Raheem DeVaughn

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“Preachers of Atlanta” star Pastor Judah Swilley

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NFL Player Walter Harris 

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Honoree Alexis Herman

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Actress Charmin Lee

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Hip Hop icon MC Lyte 

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Cheryl Smith and Deidra “Dee Dee” Roper aka Salt and Spinderella

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Award-winning journalist Ed Gordon

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  Princess Basmah Bit Saud

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EBONY Fashion Fair model Renee Knorr/Actor Tye White 

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“Empire” star Bryshere Y. Gray aka Yazz the Greatest

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Honoree Ne-Yo

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“Love and Hip Hop Atlanta” star Joseline Hernandez 

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Actor Brad James

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R&B singer Tweet

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Representative Shelia Jackson Lee 

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Honoree and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson

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Singer, actress, and reality star Demetria McKinney

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Hip Hop icons Yo-Yo and Monie Love 

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Comedian Jonathan Slocumb and guest

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R&B Songtress Kelly Price 

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“Saints and Sinners” cast Clifton Powell, Jasmine Burke, and Christian Keyes

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R&B singer Joe 

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Pastor Canton Jones with Miss Fulton Cty. Pre Teen Damacia Howard

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Actress Chrystale Wilson with Jennifer Lester and CheriAmour Dallas

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Singer Andra Day with American Family Insurance’s Michael Riggs 

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Gospel singer and reality star Deitrick Haddon/Singer Kelly Price

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Ladies of Hip Hop – MC Lyte, Salt-N-Pepa, Spinderella, and Yo-Yo

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Mo’Nique sharing a laugh with comedian Rodney Perry 

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Honoree George Wallace 

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Singer Vivian Green/Miss Fulton County Pre-Teen Damacia Howard

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Kelly Price pictured with Honoree Ne-Yo

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Andra Day with Mo’Nique

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The Queen B and Trumpet Awards founder – Ms. Xernona Clayton

Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com

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