Written by | Ray Cornelius
Civil Rights pioneer Xernona Clayton and her Trumpet Foundation celebrated 23 years of excellence Saturday night by presenting the 2015 Trumpet Awards. The annual award ceremony took place at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center and was sponsored by American Family Insurance and GM.
Honoree Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice with husband
The Trumpet Awards acknowledges the accomplishments of Black Americans who have succeeded against immense odds. Special recognition is given to the few, who symbolize the many, who have overcome the ills of racism and poverty and achieved special greatness. Awards are given in areas of education, medicine, arts & entertainment, business & entrepreneurship, and community service.
Red Carpet host Isaac Carree interviewing Honoree Janelle Monaé
This year’s honorees included Baseball Hall of Famer, Lou Brock; Carnival Corporation CEO, Arnold W. Donald; Fashion Icon Tommy Hilfiger; President of PVH, Guy Vickers; President of The Morehouse School of Medicine, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice; Chairman of Sunshine Holdings LTD, Franklyn R. Wilson; Singer and Covergirl, Janelle Monaé; Multi-award winning entertainer, Jamie Foxx; and R&B icons, The Isley Brothers.
Ambassador Andrew Young and wife Carolyn Young
Celebrity presenters included Ted Lange, Egypt Sherrod, Cathy Hughes, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Roland Martin, Quvenzhané Wallis with special performances by Avery*Sunshine, Chanté Moore, Leela James, Ruben Studdard,The Bar-Kays, ConFunkShun, Dorinda Clark-Cole and many more.
This year’s ceremony was hosted by boxing champion, Laila Ali and “The Biggest Loser” star Dolvett Quince.
Check out red carpet photos below shot by yours truly:
HGTV’s Egypt Sherrod and husband DJ Fadelf
“Power” star Naturi Naughton and Singer Deborah Cox
Comedian Jonathan Slocumb
Actress& Singer Jasmine Burke/Recording artist Mali Music
R&B singer Avery*Sunshine/”Atlanta Exes” star Monyetta Shaw
R&B/Funk legends ConFunkShun
Oscar nominated actress Quvenzhané Wallis/ TV icon Ted Lange with soap star Chrystee Pharris
“Love and Hip Hop Atlanta” star Shay Johnson with hip-hop star Mystikal
Oscar winner Louis Gossett, Jr./”R&B Diva” star Leela James
“The Have and the Have Nots “actor Tyler Lepley
“Entertainment Tonight” Correspondent Rocsi Diaz
American Family Insurance’s Rita Love Owens and guest
Honoree Lou Brock and wife/ Gospel legend Dorinda Clark-Cole
Honoree Janelle Monaé/Past honoree Juanita Baranco with family
Honoree Ernie Isley and wife
“Married to Medicine” star Dr. Jackie Walters with guest/Honoree Arnold W. Donald and wife
“Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta” star Erica Dixon with daughter
RHOA star Claudia Jordan with Honoree Jamie Foxx
Trumpet Award host Laila Ali with guest
Honoree Jamie Foxx with TV One’s Cathy Hughes
RHOA Executive Producer Carlos King/”R&B Diva” star Chante Mooré
Trumpet Awards Creator and Civil Rights Icon, Xernona Clayton
The Trumpet Awards will air on TV One February 21.
Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com
