Honorees agree they are standing on the shoulder of their ancestors.

Ted Turner recipient of Golden Trumpet Award

Atlanta, GA (January 9, 2012).  Many of the best and brightest achievers in the African American worldwide community today, coupled with those individuals who have supported the African American cause for racial justice, gathered on the stage of the 20^th Annual Trumpet Awards to receive a once-in-life- time salute for their dedication, hard work, and remarkable achievements.  The star-studded event, often referred to as the “Oscars” for Black America, took place at the Cobb Energy Center in Atlanta (GA) on Saturday, January 7^th and was hosted by Wayne Brady, an Emmy Award winning actor, recording artist, dancer, and television personality. Brady hosted his own syndicated talk/variety show “The Wayne Brady Show,” and currently,  can be seen on CBS as the host of the daytime classic “Let’s Make A Deal.”

Honorees for the 2012 Trumpet Awards included:  Earth, Wind, & Fire, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award; Rev. C. L. Franklin (accepted by his daughter Aretha Franklin), receiving the Civil Rights Award; Ted Turner, receiving the Golden Trumpet Award; Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. honored for his achievements in medicine; Mr. & Mrs. Emmitt Smith, receiving the Humanitarian Award; Mayor Cory A. Booker, honored for his political leadership achievements; U.S. Ambassador Nicole Avant, receiving the International Award; Mary Parker, honored for her achievements in business; Tyrese Gibson, receiving the Pinnacle Award;  and a group of 17 African American men and women who are Hotel General Managers and are being honored for breaking the glass ceiling in the hotel industry.  These individuals are: Olivia Brown, Bryan Conyers, Larry Daniels, Michael Hopper, Adrian Hughes, Russell Miller, Erica Qualls, Michael Session, Michael Smith, Gail Smith-Howard, Michael Washington, Linda Westgate, Robert Woolridge, Erika Alexander, Lorenzo Creighton, Valerie Ferguson, and Robert Steele.

Ms. Xernona Clayton, creator of the Trumpet Awards and executive producer of the show as well as  president and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, presented Ted Turner, her former boss and the creative mind behind Turner Networks and CNN, with the preeminent award for the evening – the Golden Trumpet. “Twenty years ago, Ted Turner gave me the opportunity, the support and the money, which allowed me to create the Trumpet Awards.  You gave me the opportunity to give people of African American ancestry hope for their future.  For this we honor you today,” said Ms. Clayton.   Mr. Turner’s response was, “I am deeply touched – I have always believed in brotherhood and understanding.”

Row-one: Reverend Dr. E.T. Caviness, Xernona Clayton, Constance W. Curry; J.T. Johnson; -- Row-Two: Dr. Walter F. Young, Phillip Cutty (grandson of Honoree Dosan Ahn Chang Ho), Dr. Charles J. Ogletree, and Reverend Willie Bolden.

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