Saturday, August 9, 2014
Saturday was busy. I started my morning with a run down to Locust Grove to visit Noah’s Ark animal sanctuary, then made my way to Norcross for the 47th Atlanta Model Train Show and then headed into the city for the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards. The show was surrounded all week by performances and special tapings of different shows at the Georgia World Congress Center and Philips Arena. Known in previous years as The Hoodie Awards, this is the first year that Atlanta has hosted the show which highlights unique categories such as Best Soul Food Restaurant, Best Barber Shop, Best High School Coach, Best Church Choir and others. 12 to be exact. Finalist nominees walked the blue carpet before the show along with celebrities, actors, comedians, recording artists and other well known folks within the African American community. The show is the brain child of Steve Harvey who also appeared with his wife on the carpet as they made their way past fans and inside Philips Arena. Harvey was joined by Shirley Strawberry, David Mann and his wife Tamela from the television series Meet the Browns, Kandi Burruss, minister and gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, Carla Farrell, Rickey Smiley, Keith Sweat, Roland Martin, comedian Earthquake and numerous others.
Leah Wooden-Harris (center) waves to celebrities and nominees as they walk the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Shirley Strawberry poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Representatives from Kings Southern Delight pose for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
David Mann (center) and his wife Tamela walk towards the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
David Mann (left) and his wife Tamela pose for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Representatives from Arabia Mountain High School pose for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Kandi Burruss (right) and Todd Tucker pose for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Nominee for Best High School Coach James Hartry poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Donnie McClurkin (right) greets fans before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Carla Ferrell (right) greets fans before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Carla Ferrell (right) and her husband Tosh pose for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Erica Campbell poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Nominee for Best High School Coach Paula Almond (right) poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Patrice Washington poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Nominee for Best High School Coach Maurice Freeman (left) poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Donnie McClurkin poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Donnie McClurkin (left) and Erica Campbell talk on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Recording artist Keith Sweat poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Recording artist Keith Sweat poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Nominee for Best Nail Salon, founder of Buff Salon Chrisondra Davis (right) poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Roland Martin poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Holly Robinson Peete (center) waves to fans before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Holly Robinson Peete (right) and her son Rodney Jr. pose for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Nominee for Best Nail Salon, founder of Polish’d Sheueli Chun poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Shemar Moore greets fans before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Comedian Kier “Junior” Spates (right) of the Steve Harvey Morning Show poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Recording artist Cupid poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Lead singer of the O’Jays Eddie Levert (left) is hugged by Roland Martin as they pose for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Lead singer of the O’Jays Eddie Levert poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Nominee for Best School Teacher Ronel Brewer (right) poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Thomas Miles, better known as Nephew Tommy, poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Comedian Sommore poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Yolanda Adams poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Nominee for Best School Teacher Dr. Antoinette Ellison poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Rickey Smiley (center) heads towards the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Rickey Smiley poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Steve Harvey (right) greets fans before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Steve Harvey (right) and his wife Marjorie Bridges pose for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Nominee for Best School Teacher Latoya Jenkins poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Shemar Moore poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Shemar Moore poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Chrisette Michele poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Members of the Nappy Root Barber Shop in Columbus walk on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Kirk Franklin (right) and his wife Tammy Collins pose for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Comedian George Wallace poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Judge Craig Strong poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Comedian Lavell Crawford (right) greets fans before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Comedian Lavell Crawford (left) poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Sherri Shepherd poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
LisaRaye McCoy (right) greets fans before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
LisaRaye McCoy poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Michael Jai White poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
ESPN First Take commentator Stephen A. Smith poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Kym Whitley poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Nathaniel Martin Stroman, better known as the comedian Earthquake, poses for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Steve Harvey (left) and his wife Marjorie Bridges wave to fans before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
RonReaco Lee and his wife Sheana Freeman pose for photos on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Hill Harper (center) poses for a photo with fans Caprice Wilder (left), Erica Jones and Terea Smith before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Hill Harper (left), Wendy Raquel Robinson and Dorien Wilson pose on the blue carpet before the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
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