ATLANTA INFLUENCERS TURN OUT FOR ABJ DIGITAL’S FIRST ANNUAL TOP 25 EXTRAORDINARY ATLANTANS RECEPTION

Legendary Actor Lou Gossett, Jr., NFL Player Josh Norman, Reality TV Stars Lisa Nicole Cloud and Sabrina McKenzie, Among Celebrity Attendees

Atlanta, GA…Tuesday, December 17, 2019…The Zucot Gallery, a black-owned art gallery located near Centennial Olympic Park, was buzzing with energy and excitement last Thursday evening, as Atlanta influencers gathered to celebrate those being honored in the first annual Top 25 Extraordinary Atlantans commemorative edition, presented by the ABJ (Atlanta Business Journal) Digital Magazine. 

Over 200 people attended the celebration, which recognized 25 power brokers from Atlanta who are steadily making societal impact through their work as community influencers in business, government, entertainment, media, religion, education, law, etc.  Among the attendees were both local and nationally known film, television, and sports celebrities, including actor Louis Gossett, Jr., Josh Norman of the Washington Redskins and Reality TV Show Stars Lisa Nicole Cloud and Sabrina McKenzie.   

Hosted by Kevin C. Pride, co-publisher of the ABJ Digital and Founder of Influencer 365, a full service digital marketing company and Marc Parham, business partner and co-host of the Influencer 365 Discussions events,  the reception served as a power networking opportunity and honoree celebration and featured live entertainment by independent recording artists, Nella-Joi  and Q Coleman.

“At Influencer 365, we fully understand the power and opportunities present in being an influencer and we are very happy with how well our first Top 25 Extraordinary Atlantans event was received,” shared Kevin C. Pride.  “Atlanta always has something going on every night of the week, so we are excited that so many Atlanta influencers wanted to be part of our event,” he said.

The new annual designation and accompanying commemorative issue, shares profiles  of  some outstanding Atlanta residents, who have exhibited excellence in their respective areas, and whose personal and professional efforts are contributing to the greater good of both the local and national community.

The ABJ Digital and the Top 25 Extraordinary Atlantans Commemorative Edition, is the newest iteration of the Atlanta Business Journal Magazine, a quarterly business publication for African-American entrepreneurs and corporate executives, which began publishing over 20 years ago by renowned Atlanta Entrepreneur, Creed Pannell, who also produces the Georgia Minority Business Awards  and Gospel Choice Awards, and  who now partners with Pride on the ABJ Magazine and Georgia Minority Business Awards. 

In addition to a special history maker profile on 2018 Georgia gubernatorial candidate, Stacey Abrams, the Top 25 Extraordinary Atlantans recognized in the commemorative edition, includes: Political Commentator and Media Personality, Rashad Richey; Civil, Human Rights and Climate Change Advocate, Dr. Gerald Durley; Rapper and Entrepreneur, Michael Render; President, Urban League Greater Atlanta, Nancy Flake-Johnson;  Legendary Actor, Louis Gossett; Business Mogul and Fashion Designer, Lisa Nicole Cloud;  President, Beulah Heights University, Dr. Benson Karanja; Executive Director/Southern Regional Operations for Kia, Percy Vaughn; Zsa Zsa Heard, CEO, City of LaGrange; Chief Magistrate Court Judge Cassandra Kirk; Director, Small Business Development for Invest Atlanta, Lonnie Saboor; Zucot Gallery Director and Partner, Onaje Henderson; Southeast Regional Vice President for Boys and Girls Club of America, Tony Orr; President/CEO Atlanta Airlines Terminal Company, Dr. Kofi Smith; Executive Director, Georgia International Convention Center, Mercedes Miller; Bishop Aaron B. Lackey, Sr.; Fulton County Solicitor General, Keith E. Gammage; Georgia State Representative, Derrick Jackson; Women and Children’s Rights Activist, Sabrina McKenzie; CEO, Goodwill of North Georgia, Keith T. Parker; Political Strategist, Principal of Hicks Evaluation Group, Fredrick Hicks; Iconic Business and Community Leader, Owner, Bussey Florists, Dr. Alice Bussey; Entrepreneur and Media Personality, Michelle Taylor Willis; Chief Executive Officer, DeKalb County, Michael Thurmond and Territory Sales Director for Dignity Memorial, Raymond Burr.

In addition to being featured in both the digital and printed commemorative issues, will each received a proclamation from the Georgia Secretary of State and are featured on a billboard in downtown Atlanta. A raffle for the opportunity to drive an Infiniti for a weekend helped raise some funds in support  of ABEL 2, a 501c3 nonprofit organization working to create opportunities for performing artists with disabilities to share their gifts on stage.

“Our first event was amazing and it was extremely gratifying to see and feel the excitement, energy and pride everyone attending brought to the event,” said Pride.  “We are looking forward to identifying the next round of exceptional business and community leaders and are already beginning to plan the next Top 25 Extraordinary Atlantans Edition for 2020,” he said.

For media inquiries, contact Norma Stanley at E.E.E. Marketing Group, 404/451-1811 or [email protected]