Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Jill Scott, who played the late James Brown's second wife DeeDee in the 2014 biopic "Get On Up," will be honored at the fifth annual Motherless Daughters Foundation gala, planned for 6 p.m. Saturday at the Georgia International Convention Center at 2000 Convention Center Concourse in College Park. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Tickets are $75 each and still available.
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Photos of Jill Scott performing at Chastain
Scott is being saluted for her work with the Blues Babe Foundation, a North Philadelphia-based nonprofit that provides a free summer camp for young people, among other services. She is the founder.
Honorees also include author and speaker
Taffi Dollar, co-pastor of World Changers Church International; poet
Hank Stewart; and G
ary Davis, founder and executive director of the Next Level Boys Academy.
Judge Penny Brown Reynolds will deliver the keynote address. Local broadcasters Deidra Dukes and Shaunya Chavis-Rucker will emcee.
“We are both humbled and excited to recognize honorees who are exemplars in supporting and empowering our youth — from one spectrum of the globe to another,” Rassalyn Willis, founder and executive director, the Motherless Daughters Foundation, said in a statement. “There’s no question empowering today’s youth through opportunities, access, mentoring, skills development, education and more helps to ensure their future success.”
The evening features a red-carpet arrival, dinner, entertainment, and a silent auction featuring travel, cultural and dining experiences, autographed memorabilia and unique treasures.
The Motherless Daughters Foundation provides mentoring for girls ages 9 to 15 living without support of a positive mother figure in their lives. Participants enjoy summer camps and year-round educational and enrichment experiences, scholarships and donations of clothing and school supplies.
Key supporters include
Sarah-Elizabeth Reed, wife of Mayor Kasim Reed; and Trumpet Awards Foundation founder Xernona Clayton. The organization was founded by Rassalyn Willis, owner of Xclusive Hair Studio and Spa in historic College Park.
Gala proceeds will support scholarships, career development programs, school supplies and clothing, computer purchases, housing for homeless individuals participating in the programs and transportation to personal enrichment events.
Sponsors include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Southwest Airlines, Georgia Power and Upscale magazine.
