The Trumpet Awards Foundation held their annual star-studded Trumpet Awards on Saturday, January 26 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. The event was co-hosted by comedian and actor Rickey Smiley with actress Essence Atkins and will broadcast on TV One on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013 (please check local listings for details).
The Trumpet Awards Ceremony was actually one of the best events I have ever attended! Some of my favorite moments of the evening included Kiki Wyatt dragging her husband along the red carpet while talking about her “tits”, watching model/actress Eva “The Diva” Marcille working the red carpet (she gets 3 snaps in a Z formation – you betta twerk!). Tamala Mann gave one of those “you had to have been there” performances – simply AWESOME. Also, not lost on me was the sheer humbleness of each and every honoree (especially Alonzo and Tracy Morurning). I definitely left knowing that I had a lot more work to do in serving my community. For that, I am thankful!
That being said, my absolute favorite moment of the evening came just as I began to pack away the equipment because it was late and there was still no sign on the red carpet of honoree Chaka Khan. Now, let me tell you something, Chaka Khan knows how to shut a carpet down! She waited until URBODY was off that carpet and then she arrived in all her grandeur. That’s right she is the HDIC (Head Diva in Charge). She was simply #GoneWithTheWindFabulous!
The 2013 Trumpet Awards included celebrity performances by Avant, Fantasia, Jennifer Holiday, Anthony Hamilton, Linda Herring, Luke James, Tamala Mann, Amber Riley, and TV One R&B Divas. Celebrity presenters included former New York Knicks superstar AND Jamaican Patrick Ewing, Derek Luke, David Mann, Eva Marcille, Roland Martin, Melvin Miller, Dr. Steve Perry, Jonathan Slocumb and Tika Sumpter.
The following Trumpet Award honorees received their awards this past weekend:
- Chaka Khan – Legend Award
- Debra Martin Chase – Entertainment Award
- Michael McMillan – Community Service Award
- Alonzo & Tracy Mourning – Humanitarian Award
- Mayor Kasim Reed – Public Service Award
- Charlie Wilson – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Edward Welburn – Corporate Award
“We are honored to recognize the achievements of such an accomplished and talented assembly of individuals within their respective fields,” said Xernona Clayton, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trumpet Awards Foundation.
The activities of the Trumpet Awards Foundation are made possible through the support of corporate sponsorships. The 2013 Trumpet Awards are presented by Cadillac and Wells Fargo. Additional sponsors include All(N)1 Security, Bank of America, Cadillac, Caesars, Charles Wilson Foundation, Chick-Fil-A, Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, FedEx, Fulton Dekalb Hospital, Georgia Pacific Foundation, Hightower Petroleum, Home Depot, National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame, Nordstrom, Rolls Royce, Southwest Airlines, Steve Carter, TV One and UPS.
About the Trumpet Awards Foundation
The Trumpet Awards Foundation is a 501(C) 3 non-profit organization founded in 1993, by Ms. Xernona Clayton. The Trumpet Awards were established as an awards foundation that salutes African American achievement and supports higher education through scholarships and other philanthropic efforts. For twenty-one years the Trumpet Awards has saluted African American achievement with the highest level of integrity and elegance. For more information on the Trumpet Awards or Trumpet Awards Foundation visit http://www.trumpetfoundation.org.
