Written by | Ray Cornelius
Usher, Tyrese Gibson, Future and Young Jeezy were just a few of the A-List celebrities who came out for Saturday night’s UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball Atlanta. The VIP gala was held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis and was attended by a who’s who of celebrities, city officials, dignitaries, tastemakers and influencers.
Dr. Michael Lomax presenting the HBCU Presidents
Yours truly, RayCornelius.com was in the mix and captured some pretty amazing shots of everyone in their black tie and ballroom garb. The UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball is held annually by the city’s mayor and is a huge fundraiser for students attending historically black colleges and universities. The Mayor’s Masked Ball was created in 1983 by Billye S. Aaron (Hank Aaron’s wife) and Ambassador Andrew Young with the hopes of providing scholarships for underserved youth with dreams of attending college. The event is one of several “Masked Balls” that are presented by UNCF chapters around the country.
Tyrese Gibson helping out during the fundraising portion of the evening
Last night’s ball raised well over one million dollars due to the high demand of tickets and a little help from “Fast and Furious” star and musician Tyrese Gibson. He literally took over the fundraising portion of the program and was able to galvanize an additional $1oo,ooo from the audience which included three hefty donations from Usher, Young Jeezy and Future. Other celebrities who contributed to the cause included “R&B Diva” Angie Stone, soul singer Avery*Sunshine,HGTV’s Egypt Sherrod and BMI executive Catherine Brewton.
Avery*Sunshine, Q Parker and Angie Stone
A number of other Atlanta notables were in attendance including Atlanta City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell, Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall, RHOA star Phaedra Parks, “Married to Medicine” stars Dr. Heavenly Kimes, Dr. Jackie Walters and Dr. and Genise Shelton, Q. Parker from 112, celebrity interior designer Michel Boyd, TV and stage actress Danielle Deadwyler, actor Al Thompson, filmmaker Roger M. Bobb, “Greenleaf” star Lamman Rucker, 11 Alive Atlanta news anchor Shiba Russell, acclaimed author and playwright Pearl Cleage, reality star Stevie Baggs, Jr., gospel singer VaShawn Mitchell, hip hop artist Kore $tacks, Dr. Yamma Brown (James Brown’s daughter), gospel singer and radio personality Darlene McCoy, UPSCALE Magazine’s Satchel Jester, “Saints and Sinners” actress Reece Odum and more.
Sheila E.
This year’s entertainment was provided by the one and only—Sheila E. The award winning entertainer and beloved music icon opened her show with a nod to her late mentor and friend Prince with “Erotic City.” She later jammed the night away with hits of her own including “Love Bazaar” and “Glamorous Life.”
The Mayor’s Masked Ball was hosted by comedian and actor J. Anthony Brown along with UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael Lomax and UNCF Regional Development Director Justine Norman Boyd.
See more exciting pictures below and click here to donate:
Pearl Cleage and her daughter Deignan
Avery*Sunshine and Dana Johnson
Danielle Deadwyler, Jakeem Smith and Kore $tacks
Dr. Yamma Brown
Atlanta radio personality SiMan Baby with his guest
Usher
Stevie Baggs Jr. with his date
Kwanza and Natalie Hall
Reece Odum and her guest
Young Jeezy with Phaedra Parks
Dr. and Mrs. Shelton
Egypt Sherrod and Avery*Sunshine
Actor Lamman Rucker chatting with Billye S. Aaron
Angie Stone and Gwendolyn Chisolm aka “Blondie”
Q Parker, Tyrese Gibson, Elle Duncan and her husband
Future with his sister and mother
Satchel Jester with Michel Boyd
Darlene McCoy
J. Anthony Brown and Myra J
Roger M. Bobb and Carolyn Young (Ambassador Andrew Young’s wife)
Dana Johnson, Avery*Sunshine, Ceaser C. Mitchell (Atlanta City Council President), Rev. Raphael G. Warnock (senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church) and his wife Ouleye Ndoye
Tyrese Gibson
Usher
Tyrese Gibson and Ambassador Andrew Young sharing a laugh
Dr. Michael Lomax ~ UNCF President and CEO
Usher laughing out loud at J. Anthony Brown‘s shenanigans
Mayor Kasim Reed and First Lady Sarah-Elizabeth Reed
UNCF Regional Development Director Justine Norman Boyd
handing flowers to Billye S. Aaron
Lamman Rucker with Morehouse College President John Wilson
J. Anthony Brown sharing a laugh with Atlanta business icon Richard Dent
SHEILA E.
Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com