Trumpet says farewell to Atlanta
2006 Trumpet Awards

By Eric Bomba-Ire
CinemATL Founder

Atlanta, Ga.—Xernoma Clayton, a CNN executive producer and long-time journalist and civil rights activist, initiated the annual Trumpet Awards to acknowledge and commemorate the achievements of African-Americans in the fields of the arts, religion, music, science and politics.

Host Chris Tucker (right) arrives at the World Congress Center with his parents. (photo: Jimmy Johnson)

January 23 marked the program's 14th year in Atlanta, and the corridors of the Georgia World Congress Center were filled with high-profile names—local and international personalities who traveled to our city to be part of the festivities.

Hosted by actor Chris Tucker—a Decatur native—and LisaRaye, the 2006 Trumpet Awards ceremony was the biggest ever and also the last to be held in our city—next year's gala will be held in Las Vegas.

This year's honorees included Archbishop Desmond Tutu, singers Usher and Stevie Wonder, community activist Danny Bakewell, civil rights activist Reverend C.T. Vivian, Justice Leah Ward Sears, gospel entertainer Dr. Bobby Jones, hotel mogul Lorenzo Creighton, actress Vivica A. Fox, and world-renowned neurosurgeon and scientist Dr. Keith Black.

Honoree Usher (second from left) is joined by Terry Lewis, Jessee Jackson and Jimmy Jam. (photo: Eric Bomba-Ire)

As the audience applauded Fox's award for achievement in film, we caught up with Tucker, who had positive things to say about the film industry here in Atlanta.

"Atlanta has a chance, a real chance. It is in a position to take advantage of the growing popularity of independent films," he opined. "We have very creative and talented people here as well as people with resources and finances.

"The most important thing to ensure success and growth is to get both sides at the same place and at the same time—working together to achieve the common goal."

More than just a night of glitz and glam, the Trumpet Awards echoed deeply to dispel myths about African-American and to sound a note of inspiration to the younger generation.

Eric Bomba-Ire is the founder of CinemATL.

The Trumpet Awards:
January 23, 2006

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Blair Underwood plays with a fan's camera. (photo: Eric Bomba-Ire)

Steve Wonder mingles with the crowd. (photo: Eric Bomba-Ire)

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