All Photos by: PRIME PHOCUS/DONNA PERMELL

On March 1, 2008 viewers of cable channel TV-One will get the chance to see the elite of the African-American community put on their furs, evening gowns and tuxes and make their way to the Atlanta Civic Center to honor its own.

The 16th Annual Trumpet Awards salutes African-Americans in various fields including law, entertainment and public service and after a year in Las Vegas they returned to their home Atlanta, Georgia. A staple since 1993 when founder Xernona Clayton created the event, this year’s honorees included Halle Berry-Entertainment, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges-Usher Raymond Award, Drs. Vincent and Vance Moss-Medicine, Najee-Arts and a host of others.

I caught up with Honoree Najee who also performed, and he stated what the award meant to him was “excellence celebrating and achieving excellence.”




Local Atlanta DJ, Frank Ski of V-103 who was on hand to support the event said that the awards "are where I come from. The people that we are honoring today paved the way for me and all of us."

Chris “Ludacris’ Bridges thanked his staff and his mother in his acceptance speech adding that ‘We just don’t give money. We have over 5,000 hours in hands on time spent at the Ludacris Foundation and we all have to turn back, reach back and give back.”

I ran into India Arie, whose song "Strength Courage and Wisdom" inspired me to move here to Atlanta and devote more time to my passion...writing. She told me that she has some big things on the horizon including something on Broadway. She wouldn't give me all the details but I have a feeling we will be listening to that wonderful signing voice from a Broadway stage real soon.

Finally Michelle Obama left the campaign trail long enough to attend the event and in a powerful speech proclaimed that now was the time for her husband to become the first black president.

Not everyone agreed with her said U.S. Rep John Lewis, a civil rights veteran, and Hillary Clinton supporter, “I know there is some discussion between some of our fellow lawyers accusing us of being old guard but if I make a commitment, I keep my commitment. I have been for Hillary Clinton from the beginning and I'm not going to change now”

Check out the slide show below for great pictures of the attendees.



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