Written by | Ray Cornelius
PepsiCo closed out Black History Month with a bang this week by presenting its “Champion The Dream” Event. The world renowned soft drink giant partnered with the Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film & Entertainment for an inspirational conversation with some of the city’s top innovators and philanthropists. They also honored ATL’s own Big Boi for his outstanding musical career as part of the iconic hip hop duo Outkast and for his community engagement through his Big Kidz Foundation.
The invitation only event took place at the Park Tavern, which is located on the edge of historic Piedmont Park, and featured an illustrious panel of speakers including Jennifer Keitt of the Keitt Institute, Amplify4Good Founder and CEO Joey Womack, Phoenix Leadership Foundation’s Jay Bailey and BlackCelebrityGiving.com’s Jasmine Crowe. The evening was also co-hosted by media personality Rashana Ali and V-103’s Big Tigger.
A few notables were spotted on the red carpet including “Survivor’s Remorse” actress and Atlanta native Erica Ash, hip hop icon and radio personality Ed Lover, Food Network star Chef Wells, BET’s “The Quad” actor Kevin Savage, Funk Jazz Kafe creator and rising filmmaker Jason Orr, Stellar Award winning gospel singer Ted Winn, Atlanta City Councilman and mayoral candidate Kwanza Hall and his wife Natalie and veteran music industry executive Shanti Das.
Check out photos below:
Chef Will
Kawan Prather aka “KP the Great” provided dope sounds
Kevin Savage
Jasmine Crowe
Kwanza and Natalie Hall
Big Boi explaining how he champions his dreams
Shanti Das
Ted Winn
Attendees enjoying the #ChampionTheDream experience
Big Tigger talking to the panelists:
Jennifer Keitt, Jay Bailey, Joey Womack and Jasmine Crowe
Everybody say CHEESE!
Big Boi with Erica Ash
Jason Orr
Big Tigger
Big Boi with Ed Lover
Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com