On Sunday, May 1, I was invited to actress-humantarian and national spokesperson for foster care Victoria Rowell‘s mentoring luncheon. It was held at her husband’s Radcliffe Bailey’s private art studio in Atlanta. The luncheon was absolutely wonderful with catered food and decorations by Tony Brewer.
The event began with a few songs from the Spelman College Glee Club, then songbirdKenny Lattimore hit the stage, and the ladies loved him. He sang a few spiritual songs, then one of his greatest hits, “For You.”
After the entertainment, Rowell honored Dr. Lynn Gardner of Hughes Spaulding Children’s Hospital and Dr. Evelyn Lavizzo of the Carrie Steele-Pitts Home. Both women received awards for making a difference in the community.
Then the fun began by having a hat show! As the ladies of Spelman College walked the runway, women in the audience bid on the fancy hats. I wanted the vintage looking one with the veil so bad, but this lady kept outbidding me. Arrrgh! The highest bid was for a hat Rowell modeled. It sold for $500. The money raised went to her nonprofit organization, and what a great way to raise money and awareness.
Artist Radcliffe Bailey and his mom
Following the hat show, we moved to the outdoor patio area where lunch was served. We dined on salmon, salads and desserts with sweet tea and wine. All the guests got to take home a copy of Kenny Lattimore’s CD, Timeless. It was a great afternoon, and I would like to thank Diane Larche for the invitation. Most photos by Paras Griffin and I
Victoria Rowell’s Niece modeling, I wanted this hat!
Victoria’s hat she is modeling was the highest bid!
Real Men Cook was back to cook up some great recipes and let the public taste their favorite cuisines! I was a celeb taster again this year and It was so fun trying out all the different caterers and chefs special dishes. A lot of dads were out with their families and I must say it was packed! They started the event with traditional african dance and drums,then some sounds of jazz and singing. I missed Rueben Studdard because I had to get to another event.
Jazz musician Melvin Miller
With all the chefs cooking and the people that came out, it was hot up in the Georgia Depot. Atlanta is known for being hot but boy yesterday was really a hot one if I must say so lol. I saw Chef Jamika who you guys may know from being on the Food Network.She was on my tv show about 4 years ago. She was in the final 5 of The Next Food Star.
I also saw Chef Jason Ellis from Hell’s Kitchen. He made me lobster with white chocolate sauce and I almost lost my mind. It was so good and I would have never thought to put those two things together lol.
I also saw David Decuir catering and Chef Keith Kash. There were a lot of other great chefs in the building too but didnt get to sample them all. Enjoy the pics and I would like to thank Diane Larche from Larche Communications for the invite.
Ok, pay attention because I’m going to write really fast because I have alot to say lol. First off, I want to give all praises to God for all my blessings that have come my way this year. It’s been a long road for me and I’m glad you guys come by and visit my blog daily and support me and to see my adventures on my journey! I really appreciate each and every one of you! Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today, I really mean that from the bottom of my heart! Kisses and hugs!
Steve Harvey Foundation
Ok, on to the partee! I dont know if you guys know that I’m not a night person at all! I got an invite to come to Steve Harveys Freedom Friday fundraiser event. I was excited to go because I like to support my fellow Clevelander but looked at the time and it said 9pm. Oh gosh I was thinking, because I live an hour away from Atlanta where the event was being held, and I just dont do well at late events. My energy level after 7pm is flatlined….. lmao!
Ford new Taurus
So I took a quick nap and got up and got myself all cute and put on my signature pink just for Steve lol. So I picked up my manager Kristie and she quickly noticed I was not in a good mood. She said, Oh no we cant have this, lets get you a pepsi! You can’t be on the carpet with that face looking like that, lol. We get to the venue its held at Americas Mart in downtown Atlanta. The set up was amazing and Ford was the title sponsor. I loved the colorful table linens and the V.I.P area was really cool.
V.I.P. Lounge
I walked pass these two pretty ladies and they asked me to sign up for their contest. I said,”what contest?” looking confused. The young lady explained that Steve was having a competition for, “Thick Waste, Pretty Face“. At the time, I didnt realize it was for Plus size models but I was for sure thick, (as we like to call women who wear size 12/14). So I told the lady, I would pass. The DJ was playing some great music,getting the crowd hyped as we watched people dance. Shortly after, they made an announcement that Steve was there and that if you wanted to get in the contest to go up to the stage area. My manager was like ,”girl you should do it!” I was like,what the heck I will do it, just for fun!
Comedian Steve Harvey,the well dressed man
So, I went to the stage and it was 12 girls that entered. I was the last to sign up but looked at the other girls and noticed they were a lil bit bigger than me, but still never really paid it any mind. So Steve comes out and says a speech about his Steve Harvey Foundation and how he wants to help our young men of today. He teaches them life skills, how to dress,how to conduct their selves and more. I think we really need to have more men like Steve helping our young men because so many dont have good role models, or father figures.
After his speech he started the contest. I was 3rd to last and they quickly lined us up by the stage. I watched the ladies go on stage one by one and do their thing. I knew that when I went up on stage, that I would do something funny and different to get Steve’s attention because I noticed the first couple of girls didn’t really acknowledge Steve. When he called my name, I went deaf and focused on what I was going to do. I sashayed on stage and did a lil dance for him then modeled a lil bit for the audience. The crowd really liked me and it made me feel great! I remember Steve saying jokingly,”Girl you gon make me buy you something” lmao!
And the winner is….
After all of us girlies finished, they lined us up in Apollo style and Steve said to applaud for the one you liked. One by one people yelled and clapped for their favorite person. When it got to me, the crowd went bananas, lol. I dont know if my pink was working for me that night but I was overwhelmed by the response! Steve then narrowed it down to the top 3. It was all like a dream to me when they called my name and said, I won!!!!! I was like, wow is this really happening to me? I was the girl mad because I had an evening event and passed on the chance to enter at first.
Me & Contestant Tiffany Greer
Steve presented me with a $200 gift card toSambucas restaurant and we took candid pics together. In between each girls performance on stage, Steve was telling some great jokes and had a great stage presence,they crowd loved him. I really admire his work and I would like to say thanks so much for the opportunity! It’s funny I dont think he remembers I was the girl that interviewed him at Carols Daughter opening at Lenox Mall(http://talkingwithtami.com/carols-daughter-private-affair/). At first he told other reporters no interviews, but I was gutsy enough to tell him I was from Cleveland,with that he allowed me to ask him a couple of questions. Thank you Steve for being such a nice guy! I wish you many years of success! Thanks to Diane Larche of Larche Communications for the personal invite! Please click on videos to watch and I will holla at you guys later!
*I have 3 videos in total on YouTube, if you would like to see more! This was my winning performance, lol. Videos contains some profanity
