Written by | Ray Cornelius
Check out images from last night’s “UNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball” featuring R&B singer/songwriter and film star Tyrese Gibson. The annual fundraising event took place at the famed Marriott Marquis and was attended by who’s who of influencers and tastemakers.
The “UNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball” was created over 34 years ago by former Atlanta Mayor and U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young and philanthropist Billye S. Aaron as a way to raise scholarship dollars for deserving African-American students looking to attend an HBCU (Historical Black College and University). It is also the city’s unofficial end-of-the-year party that brings together local celebrities, dignitaries, civic and elected officials.
This year’s Ball Chairs included Rodney Bullard, vice president of community affairs at Chick-fil-A, Inc. and executive director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation; Ted Blum, managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Atlanta office and chair of the firm’s Atlanta Corporate and Securities Practice and Wendy Stewart, president, Atlanta Market Bank of America.
Atlanta celebrities in attendance included hip-hop star Jeezy, TV and film star Chris Tucker, Broadway legend and iconic recording artist Stephanie Mills, the cast of Bravo’s “Married to Medicine” – Miss Quad Webb–Lunceford, Dr. Heavenly Kimes and Dr. Jackie Walters, actress and comedienne Cocoa Brown and former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Phaedra Parks. Also in attendance were Atlanta’s Mayor Elect Keisha Lance Bottoms as well as Birmingham, Alabama’s new Mayor Randall Woodfin.
Tyrese served as both entertainment and celebrity co-chair. He performed a medley of his biggest hits as well as songs from other R&B artists like Jodeci, Mint Condition and Frankie Beverly & Maze. After his set, he and media personality, Frank Ski helped raise additional scholarship dollars.
Check out all the photos below:
Ambassador Andrew Young + Billye S. Aaron + Hank Aaron
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed + First Lady Sarah Elizabeth Reed
Students from the Ron Clark Academy opened the Ball
CAU Jazz Orchestra provided pre-show entertainment
Atlanta Mayor Elect Keisha Lance Bottoms +
First Lady Elizabeth Reed + Phaedra Parks
Saptosa Foster + Sheryl Gripper
Former Atlanta First Lady Valerie Jackson + UNCF President Michael L. Lomax +
Justine Boyd UNCF Regional Development Director + Guest
UNCF President Michael L. Lomax + Mayor Randall Woodfin
Stephanie Mills