Written by | Ray Cornelius
It was all about the A-T-L Saturday afternoon for FORD and ESSENCE Magazine’s “My City, 4 Ways.” The exclusive event was a collaborative effort between the two lifestyle brands and featured an amalgamation of the city’s best in art, food, fashion and music.
“My City, 4 Ways Food + Music + Art + Style”
“My City, 4 Ways” took place at Atlanta’s newest event space, The Mason Fine Art Gallery. Once inside, participants were able to explore four unique areas that were representative of Atlanta’s bustling arts, cultural and entertainment scenes. STYLE AVENUE featured classic and contemporary African fashions, high-end styles and cutting edge looks from acclaimed designers—The Tracy Nicole Collection, Sylvia Mollie Collection, Suakoko Betty and Ford’s Warriors in Pink.
DJ Princess Cut
MUSIC BOULEVARD featured dope sounds from DJ Princess Cut as well as performances from soul singers Tweet, Anthony David and Alegebra. Attendees also heard from ‘women on the move’ like music executive and entrepreneur Shanti Das and “The Real” co-host and beloved comedic actress Loni Love. Health guru Chef Ahki talked to food blogger Erica Key from Eating with Erica and ESSENCE Magazine’s Lifestyle and Relationship editor, Charreah Jackson motivated the audience with her very own #BlackGirlMagic.
The McBride Sisters Wine
FOOD ALLEY was filled with southern cuisine from Chef Virgil Harper and Chef Mark Phillips along with wine tastings from the McBride Sisters. One of my favorite areas was ART STREET which featured colorful life-size displays from acclaimed visual artist Kashmir Thompson, photo montages from April Walker as well as other works from Atlanta creatives.
Sylvia Mollie’s Kenya Freeman, Toni Ace and Christina Johnson
A number of Atlanta notables were in attendance including celebrity hairstylist and TV personality Derek J, choreographer and singer Victor Jackson, UPSCALE Magazine’s Sr. Editor Satchel Jester, “Atlanta Exes” star Christina Johnson, award winning visual artist and photographer Joshua Rashaad, Funk Jazz Kafe creator and filmmaker Jason Orr, and iconic music producer and songwriter Brian Michael Cox.
Talking with Tami and Joshua Rashaad
I also spotted a few of my blogger boos—Kiwi The Beauty, Talking with Tami, It’s Robin Lori and It’s Arkeedah. There were also Ford Test Drives that took place outside the gallery that allowed attendees to experience some of the company’s newest fleet of vehicles and all of their exclusive features.
See more exciting photos below:
“My City, 4 Ways” was collaboration between #Ford and #ESSENCE
Alvin Ailey Atlanta Ambassadors Keith Hill and Ayana Walker
LaRonda Sutton and Kysha Cameron
JUST BECUZ…She looked amazing in that gold dress up against that blue Ford
Attendees enjoying MUSIC BOULEVARD
Derek J and Victor Jackson with friends enjoying FOOD ALLEY
JUST BECUZ…Mama is looking quite “gansta” with that cigar
Visual artist and photographer Joshua Rashaad
Jason Orr and Bryan-Michael Cox
“A Different World” according to artist Kashmir Thompson
Attendee sampling southern delights from Chef Mark Phillips
Derek J and Victor Jackson
Anthony David being interviewed
Loni Love with Alex Hill and
Ford’s Multicultural Communications Manager Rajoielle “Raj” Register
Joshua Rashaad with I’na Saulsbery
Charreah Jackson posing with “My City, 4 Ways” attendees
Zina Brown
Mason Fine Art Gallery is located in Buckhead – Atlanta
Chef Ahki and Eating with Erica blogger Erica Key
Tracy Nicole
Renee Palmer of Blaque Book Concierge
TWEET
Tweet with Charreah Jackson
Algebra, Anthony David and Tweet
Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com