Written by | Ray Cornelius

Some of the biggest and brightest names in Atlanta’s jazz and soul music scene came together this past Sunday afternoon for the McDonald’s McCafe Fusion Sunday. The free community event took place at the Turner Hill McDonald’s in Lithonia, GA and was a benefit concert for the Wheels of Dreams Youth Foundation. Attendees were also able to sample some of McDonald’s newest coffee flavors just in time for the holidays.

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Morris Baxter with Wheels of Dreams Youth Foundation representative

The Wheels of Dreams Youth Foundation provides educational programs that range from entrepreneurial skills to life skills development. They also provide career and college planning tools, college scholarship opportunities, money and credit management skills, as well as employment opportunities. This program gives today’s youth real-time job readiness skills and keys to entrepreneurship.

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Phillippia performing on stage

The musical acts included R&B vocalist and guitarist Anthony David, R&B songtress Phillippia, acclaimed jazz trumpeter Joey “Papa J” Sommerville and the Queen of UK Soul, Julie Dexter. The event was presented by Atlanta’s Jazz Station Jazz 91.9 WCLK and McDonald’s.  A number of the station’s radio personalities were in attendance including Morris Baxter (“Morris in the Morning”), RivaBlue (“Midday Jazz” and “UPFRONT”) and Fonda Smith (“WCLK’s Traffic and News”).

The McCafe Fusion Sunday was hosted by WCLK’s Jamal Ahmad (“Soul of Jazz”).

Check out more photos below:

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Jamal Ahmad 

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Julie Dexter is better known as the “Queen of U.K. Soul”

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Julie Dexter performed a cadre of jazz and soul classics

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Julie Dexter signing autographs and CD’s after her performance

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Taylormade Marketing Reps – Chanda Bryant, Valerie Taylor and Ronda Levi

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Anthony David with a fan

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Fonda Smith getting attendees to sign up for giveaways

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Joey Sommerville with Phillippia

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Fonda Smith with Morris Baxter

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Craig Garrett, Anthony David, RivaBlue with JFly

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Muriel Powell (center), McDonald’s Owner/Operator and

President of the Wheels of Dreams Youth Foundation Board and friends

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Joey Sommerville working the crowd

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Joey Sommerville with the Taylormade Marketing Team

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Phillippia

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Phillippia appeared in “Tyler Perry’s Madae’s Family Reunion”

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Phillippia recently signed with U.K.’s i2Music

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Anthony David 

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Anthony David performed songs from his recent album,

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Anthony David taking photos with a fan after his performance

Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com

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