****Pics coming soon! ****
This past weekend, Atlanta, GA was indeed the place to be for empowerment! August 6-9, 2015 was the 13th Annual Neighborhood Awards (formerly known as the Hoodie Awards), hosted by Steve Harvey.
The Neighborhood Awards, the creation of Steve Harvey and Rushion McDonald, is an awards show dedicated to the unsung heroes of our neighborhoods. Leaders, educators, beauty/barbershops, etc. from around the country receive their credit as a contributor to positivity and commitment to their dreams and goals. Empowerment at its best!
This year’s expo featured over 100 shopping booths filled with clothes, natural hair/body products, health items, coaching materials, etc. There was also a College Expo with information on seeking and entering college, a twice daily workout with Curobiks (line dance exercises taught by New Cupid of the famous Cupid Shuffle), a Ride and Drive featuring the latest Ford vehicles, food galore and a turkey frying demonstration by award Sponsor and Columbus’ own Masterbuilt.
Friday’s events included a live broadcast of the Steve Harvey Morning Show featuring the show crew Shirley Strawberry, Nephew Tommy, Carla Ferrell, and Junior. Featured performers for the show included Avery Sunshine, K. Michelle, Jazmine Sullivan and Robin Thicke. There was also a trailer screening of the movie “The Perfect Guy” followed by a Q&A panel with the stars of the movie Sanaa Lathan and Michael Ealy with Cafe Mocha moderators Angelique Perrin, Loni Love and M.C. Lyte. Tyrese Gibson graced us with his presence to talk about his new independently release album “Black Rose” (which is awesome by the way).
Friday evening, Columbus was represented by R&B sensation Fuscia Lei, the winner of last year’s Sing Your Way to the State Farm Freedom Friday Party finale, hosted by Sheryl Underwood and featuring judges David and Tamela Mann. This year’s winner is the very talented Jose Figueroa, Jr (remember his name). The competition was followed by performances by Jodeci and Erykah Badu singing all of my favorite hits!
Saturday, the empowerment continues with a Black Lives Matter panel hosted by Ed Gordon and featuring Attorney Benjamin Crump, Roland Martin, and Mo Ivory; the “Would you Date You?” panel with Kandi Burrus, Dr. Laura Berman and Steven A. Smith; a Greek Step show, the Celebrity Blue Carpet (featuring Columbus’s own Nappy Root Barbershop owner Brandon Hicks) and the actual awards. Not only were the neighborhood heroes acknowledged, but there were performances by Usher, Babyface, and Tyrese. The V.I.P afterparty went all night with the incredible D.J. Mars on the 1s and 2s, host/performer Doug E. Fresh (if you have never seen him perform live, but this on your musical bucket list) and Salt and Pepa.
Sunday featured a Yoga morning stretch with Nikki Thomas, the AARP Church Choir Competition, and McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour.
I strongly encourage you to visit www.neighborhoodawards.com to read all about this year’s Awardees, how to nominate and vote for next year, and how to attend next year (tickets this year were only $35). Also check out the hashtag #nAwards2015 for other highlights of this event online!
