Posted by | Ray Cornelius
The Georgia Entertainment Gala was held over the weekend on Saturday night and brought out some of the biggest and brightest names in film and television. The annual event took place at Atlanta’s Sydney Marcus Auditorium at the Georgia World Congress Center and was hosted by Pooch Hall of BET’s “The Game” and Valerie Ortiz of VH1’s “Hit the Floor.”
The Gala provides a platform that showcases talented individuals within the state of Georgia in the areas of television, film, and music. “I applaud Autumn E. Bailey-Ford for her devotion to promoting excellence in the entertainment and film industries,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.
Pooch Hall with Valerie Ortiz and her sister
This year’s Georgia Highlight Award winners included “Survivor’s Remorse” star Ronreaco Lee, Founder & CEO of Legendary Events Tony Conway, Jazz vocalist and Executive Producer of BronzeLens Film Festival Kathleen Bertrand, and Executive Director for the Georgia Game Developer Association Andrew Greenberg.
Other winners included Christine Pullara Newton for Outstanding Achievement Award, The Center for Puppetry Arts for Outstanding Contribution to the Georgia Entertainment Industry, Catherine Dyer for Georgia’s Best Actor Award, Maxie McClintock for the Georgia Rising Star Award, Brantly Jackson Watts for People to Watch in Georgia Entertainment Industry and Elizabeth Hunter for the Youth Artist Award.
X Factor’s Paul Akister and guests
Attendees included RHOA star and singer Demetria McKinney, “American Idol” Season 3 contestant Latoya London, 112’s Q Parker and wife Sharlinda Parker, actress Charmin Lee, “American Crime Story” actress Cocoa Brown, and Paul Akister of “X Factor” UK Series, who closed out the show with the Ray Charles classic tune “Georgia On My Mind.”
Proceeds from the evening went to the Atlanta Children’s Shelter and Angels Among Us Pet Rescue. “My life’s mission is to empower those who are sparking change with their own personal gift and talents, said Visionary & Founder Autumn Bailey. “I firmly believe that this is what the Georgia Entertainment Gala is doing.”
Check out more red carpet photos below:
“American Crime Story” actress Cocoa Brown
Nominee Natarsha Kinder-Garcia and husband
Broadway star Stepp Stewart
Performer Demetria McKinney
“The Have and the Have Nots” actress Porsha Ferguson
Singer Cristina Quinones with Mayor Kasim Reed
Atlanta Media Personality Ramona DeBreaux and family
Performer Latoya London
Juan and Gee Sessions of The Gentleman’s Foundation
Yama Brown and Nephew
Honoree Kathleen Bertrand
Actress Charmin Lee
Q and Sharlinda Parker
Actress Reece Odum
Nominee Jaylon and Johnnie Gordon
Presenter Erikka Smith
Renowned vocal coach Jan Smith and guest
Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com
