Hyatt Regency Atlanta 265  Peachtree  Street  Atlanta,  GA  30303  

West End Medical Centers, Inc Congratulates Commissioner Larry Johnson Africa’s Children’s Fund 2011 Legacy of Hope Recipient

 

 

Dear Guests: We are honored that you have joined us this evening. This year’s celebration is extra special since it is our eighteenth year of providing hope to children who live where hope is hard to find. This evening could not have been possible without the support of many including chefs, generous individuals, corporate sponsors, auction donors, and volunteers. On behalf of our organization, I welcome and thank you for all that you have done to make this evening a huge success. I also ask that you join me in saluting our honoree; Commissioner Larry Johnson for his outstanding leadership, dedication and support to programs that benefit children and families in need in our community. Africa’s Children’s Fund (ACF) is a non-profit organization that strives to help lessen the plight of suffering children in metro Atlanta and several countries in Africa and the Caribbean. Since 1993, our organization has been working to end the cycle of poverty by positively impacting the lives of these children. We believe that these children deserve hope. We know that if we want to see a better future, we must impact the lives of children today. That is why we, at Africa’s Children’s Fund, strive every day to provide mentoring, tutoring, sponsorships, books, and other services to children that need these resources the most. We have come so far in eighteen years, and yet we have so far to go to help save children to heal this world. With your continued support, we can succeed. With international cuisine, award presentation, an auction and dancing, we promise you a grand evening. By participating in tonight’s event, you have the opportunity to make a direct impact in the lives of children. The proceeds of this event will support our Gift of Books, emergency assistance, and scholarship programs. Please bid generously in the auction. Thank you and may God continues to bless you. Sincerely,

Victor Mbaba

 

 

 

Acknowledgments ACF’s Board of Directors

John Eaton- Chair Mary Busby- Secretary Rafih Benjelloun Ron Curtis Thomas Byelick Ceressa T. Ward

ACF Staff Victor Mbaba- President & Founder

Colenda A. Jefferson- Program Manager

Event Honorary Co-Chairs & Special Guests Xernona Clayton

Ann Cramer Hon. John H. Eaves

Joe Hindsley Hon. Geoffrey I. Teneilabe

Special Thanks To Our Sponsors

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Arik Air Hyatt Regency Atlanta

Georgia Power Publix Super Markets Charities

ProCore Solutions United Culinary Chefs Association

 

 

 

OUR CULINARY PARTICIPANTS & THEIR CHEFS

Avanzare at Hyatt Regency, Martin Pfefferkorn American Culinary Federation, Andrew Miller

& the Student Hot Foods Competition Team Athena’s Culinary Escape, Athena Penson

ChefMac, LLC, Rian MacDonald Cooking With Caspino, Esther Caspino

Couture Cupcakes, Cynthia Stewart E’s Restaurant & Catering, Zarifovic Enes

East Lake Golf Club, Michael Deihl The Finest Catering, Donald Robinson

The Food Snob, LaToya Wilson Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center, Herman Schatzer

Ice Sculpture, Inc., Jim Duggan Imperial Fez, Rafih & Rita Benjelloun J&R Catering Co., Jerry Richardson

Kabobs, R. Terry Hunt Kreative Kuisine, Kiyaa Lawrence

Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School, John Kanadu LMSC Food Consulting Co., Curtis Hicks

Lynda's Billiards & Sports Bar, Lynda Nguyen Marvin Woods, Celebrity Chef

Park Springs, LLC, Derrick Henry Phoenix Foods, Roy Collins Sidney’s Spices, Steve Tobin

Two Gourmet Girls, Lena Price Your Resident Gourmet, Jennifer Hill Booker

We THANK All the Chef’s, Student Chefs, Restaurants & Food Companies

for participating and making the 11th Annual Taste of the World a SUCCESS…

 

 

2011 Taste of the World Steering Committee

EVENT CO-CHAIRS

Dr. Andrew Miller and Dr. Wendy Jacobson, the 2011 Co-Chairs for this years 11th annual Taste of the World are distinguished partners in our efforts to assist children and families in need.

Andrew Miller, M.D., is William P. Timmie Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Director of Psychiatric Oncology at the Winship Cancer Institute at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Miller’s research awards include the Curt Richter Award from the International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology and the Norman Cousins Award from the Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society. Aside from his research endeavors, Dr. Miller is a Board Certified

Wendy Jacobson, M.D., is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine, and Training & Supervising Analyst at Emory University Psychoanalytic Institute. She is a blogger for The Huffington

Post, and was a proud 2009 recipient of the International Children’s Champion Award of the Africa’s Children’s Fund. When Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a visiting professor at Emory’s Candler School of Theology in the late 1990s, she and her family had the good fortune to be his neighbor. During a brief illness he suffered while here, she made him chicken noodle soup, labeling it Jewish penicillin. Since then he has called her his “Jewish momma.”  

VENDORS

ARIIX Box of Chocolates Media D& S Photography DJ Kequan OT Printing Sapphire Ink Public Relations 5-LINX  

VOLUNTEERS Chorika Allen Willa Ball Kan Bottah Tiffany Cadogan Ebony Coward Marcia Coward Ranee Davis Gwangi Dorsey Uchechi Egbuhuzo Maisha Gunter Stephanie Hampton Vontina Harris

Francis Jefferson, Jr. Akisha Joseph Evelyn T. King Linn Lawrence David K. Lee Mary Mbaba Melinda McClouden Kimako McMullen Melissa Montana Sophia Nash Ashley Pearson Deidre Pierce

Lena Price Dennis Raines Krystal Raines Charmelle Scott Tracy Shafford Tonya Shakir Donna Tyler Joe Washington Rhonikki Williams Rebecca Wilson Kan Zheng

Cultural Performances Heritage Drummers Alani Ogunlade, a skilled percussionist, is the founder of the Heritage Drummers & dancers of Atlanta, Georgia. Born in Oshoba Village, Ogun State, Nigeria, Alani started playing drums as a little boy with the masquerade society. He served as a lecturer and musician at the African Art Museum in Washington D.C. from 1972-1975.

Adebisi Adeleke, the master-talking drummer was born into family of drummers in the town of Ila-Orangun, Oshun State in Nigeria. He served as professor of music at Polytechnic College, Ibadan. He has represented Nigeria in many international cultural events. He was a drummer in one of West Africa's most respected theatrical companies led by Chief Duro Ladipo.

Shaniah Jones Shaniah Jones is a 7-year-old native of Atlanta, Georgia, who loves dancing, singing, acting rapping and modeling. Shaniah Jones recorded her first song at the age of 4. Shaniah won a big competition on Q-100 Bert’s Big Break radio station where she won the opportunity to meet with Scooter Braun’s (Justin Bieber’s manager) and also L.A. Reid (Def Jam). Shaniah performs at school functions, she is a straight A student and she loves to read and write. Look forward to seeing Shaniah Jones she is truly a Rising Star. Shaniah will be performing her hit single “Wishing Well”.

C.O.C. Youth Group This talented young group from Atlanta, Georgia is called Cash Out Committee, also known as (C.O.C.). The members are D-Jay, Chase Couture, Lil Walter, Keyasia, Deontae, Nigel and Kelvin. Their ages range from 11-18 years old. They are a group of family and friends that have come together to show their talent. They all formed a group that consists of singing, rapping and dancing. Their dreams are to work with inner city

youth groups and to be successful entertainers. They are winners of the 2011 Alive and Free Talent Show and made appearances at the V-103 radio station.

Nazeem Allayl Studios The Nazeem Allayl Dancers are a professional performing dance company based in the Atlanta Georgia area. Created by and under the direction of Schadia, Nazeem Allayl has been in demand since it's inception in 1999. They are known throughout the United States for their electrifying and expressive performances on stage and for their professionalism off stage.  

 

 

Africa’s Children’s Fund Years in Review

1993-2011 Africa’s  Children’s  Fund  (ACF)  was  founded  in  1993  by  Victor  Mbaba.    Our  mission  is  to  assist  under-­‐served  children  and  their  families  in  United  States,  Africa,  and  the  Caribbean  to   improve   the   quality   of   their   lives   and   civic   contribution   through   educational,   medical,  nutritional,  and  housing  programs.    ACF  is  a  nonprofit  501-­‐c-­‐3  corporation.    Success  to  date  Since   our   inception   in   1993,   we   have   raised   $4,480,826   in   cash   and   in-­‐kind   products   and  services,  which  have  been  used  to  make  the  following  impact  in  children’s  lives:    4,206   children   and   youth   in   Metropolitan   Atlanta   have   been   assisted   with   tutoring,  mentoring,  prevention  education,  leadership  training,  and  scholarships.    1,320,000  books  have  been   shipped   and  donated   to   schools   for   library   projects   impacting  over   100,000   children   and   youth   in   Nigeria,   Liberia,   South   Africa,   Ghana,   Sierra   Leone,  Kenya,  and  Jamaica.    11,430  orphans  and  vulnerable  children  have  been  supported  with  sponsorship  and  HIV/AIDS  prevention  education  in  Nigeria,  Senegal,  South  Africa,  and  Ghana.    304   women   with   children   in   Metropolitan   Atlanta   have   been   supported   with   transitional  housing,  rent  and  utility  assistance  and  other  supportive  services.  

 Financial  Responsibility  We  are  very  proud  of  how  we  stretch  every  dollar.    Our   last  audit  showed  that  89%  of  our  entire  budget  went  to  programs.    We  achieve  this  by  involving  volunteers  in  all  our  activities.      

 2010  Expense  Categories  

 Program:     89%  Fundraising:     6%  Administration:   5%                

Africa’s  Children’s  Fund,  Inc.  4470  Chamblee-­‐Dunwoody  Road,  Suite  440  *     Atlanta,  GA.  30338  

Tel:    770-­‐465-­‐6610      *        Fax:    770-­‐413-­‐1350  Email:  acfinfo@africaschildrensfund.org    Website:    www.africaschildrensfund.org  

“Participating in and completing service projects always give me a sense of fulfillment.” This quote comes from a very inspiring and positive young lady named Brittany Alexis

Myers. She was born January 21, 1993 in Lawrenceville, GA. Brittany thoroughly enjoys vocal music, visual arts and mostly serving the Lord through community service. She has participated in projects such as Hands on Atlanta, Open Hand Service Projects, Med Share, Ovarian and Breast Cancer Awareness Programs/Walks, Project Overcoat, Midway Elementary School Volunteer Art Teacher, Christ Our Hope Confirmation Class Assistant, Christ Our Hope Youth Group Treasurer, Delta Gems, Operation Christmas Child Coordinator and the list goes on! Brittany is a 2011 graduate of Dekalb School of the Arts where she majored in vocal music and minored in visual arts. While at DSA, she participated in ProArte Women’s Choral Ensemble, The National Art Honor’s Society and served as secretary of Club Impact (service club). Currently, Brittany attends Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, where she received a full scholarship. She is majoring in Secondary Education with a minor in African American Studies. She also participates in the Black Music Ensemble, House Council and works in the Art Department. Brittany’s plan for her future is to become a middle school teacher and create a mentoring program devoted to underprivileged children. Brittany feels that her dedication to church and community was formed from her participation in Africa’s Children’s Fund Summer Swarm Program. She stated that the program was beneficial in building her confidence in her leadership skills and expanding her knowledge of the importance of service work. She also stated that she learned how valuable it is to work as team. She and the other girls developed a strong bond and lasting friendships

2010 Youth of the Year Award Recipient

Brittany Alexis Myers  

 

 

How To Support Africa’s Children’s Fund…

Africa’s Children’s Fund relies on your financial support to continue its mission. Here are different ways that you can help. General Donations Your financial gift of any size helps us to restore hope to children in United States and several countries in Africa and the Caribbean. We invite you to designate an area of concern, or allow us to direct the funds to where they are needed most. All gifts are tax deductible. Gifts by credit cards can be made directly online at www.africaschildrensfund.org. Sponsorships You can help restore hope one child at a time by sponsoring an orphan in our organization. In addition to providing the basic necessities of food, clothing, and medical treatment, your sponsorship of $30 per month or $360 per year will provide the most important hope of all to a child who live where hope is hard to find education. Corporate and Foundation Partnerships Our youth and family development programs offer opportunities for corporations and foundations to make a difference in lives of children and their families. Corporate and foundation monies invested in our young people are monies invested in our future. We invite corporations and foundations of any size to join our efforts as partners by making direct gifts, promoting employee giving, or supporting cause – marketing campaigns. Planned Giving Africa’s Children’s Fund can be named a beneficiary in your will and receive other deferred gifts such as life insurance. These gifts are not subject to estate taxes. Gift of Appreciated Stock Africa’s Children’s Fund and you can benefit from gifts of stock which is held for 18 months or longer. You can eliminate capital gains taxes, avoid income tax on the gifted stock, and receive tax deductions for the full value of the stock. Speakers Bureau If your employer or organization would like to learn more about the programs of Africa’s Children’s Fund, please call 770-465-6610 or visit www.africaschildrensfund.org Volunteer Opportunities Africa’s Children’s Fund values the time and talent of volunteers who help tutor or mentor a child, pack books for shipment, or provide administrative support.

2011 Legacy of Hope Award Recipient

Commissioner Larry Johnson’s community involvement has included serving as a youth diversion counselor for the DeKalb Juvenile Court system and co-founding a Senior Citizens forum at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church. Commissioner Johnson is past President of The Board of Directors for the DeKalb Prevention Alliance and past Vice-Chair for the statewide Covering Kids Health Initiative.

Commissioner Johnson works to find solutions and opportunities for improving our children's educational outlook. His dedication to young people is motivated by the simple fact that when he was young, someone cared about him, reached out to him and motivated him to succeed. As a young man who has overcome many adversities, Commissioner Johnson is committed to serving as a role model for our youth. His commitment to helping children succeed is evidenced by his selection to serve as Chair of the Early Learning/School Readiness Commission and to be nominated to serve on the Early Education Commission. The Early Learning/School Readiness Commission is a partnership among public schools, government agencies, United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, businesses, and the early learning community that is designed to ensure a strong early educational foundation and successful transition into kindergarten for all of the children in DeKalb. The Early Education Commission is a community leadership collaborative supporting the United Way’s goal of ensuring that children are ready for school.

In 1998, Commissioner Johnson received an Outstanding Young Man of America award, an honor shared with President Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Christopher Reeves, Arthur Ashe and Edward Kennedy. In 2000, the DeKalb NAACP awarded him the Thurgood Marshall Social Justice Award. In 2001 the South DeKalb Mall Community Pride Day committee named Commissioner Johnson an "Unsung Hero.” In 2004 Commissioner Johnson received the South DeKalb Neighborhood Coalition’s Pioneers Platinum Award and the United Negro College Fund Special Program’s Corporation Partnership Award; also in 2004, Commissioner Johnson was

Commissioner Larry Johnson was elected as the DeKalb 3rd District Commissioner in November 2002. With the overwhelming support of the community he won with 92 percent of the vote, making him one the youngest commissioners to ever be elected to serve on the Board of Commissioners. During his first year in office, he accomplished a number of things, including voting for 32 million dollars in infrastructure and highway improvements, such as sidewalks and improvements to relieve traffic congestion; the Millage Rate was decreased

for homeowners; and the adoption of the Property Maintenance Ordinance. Commissioner Johnson currently serves as the Chair of the MARTA Partnership Committee and is also the current Chair of the Economic Development Committee.

 

 

  Mistress of Ceremony

Evelyn Mims Ask anyone who knows her, Evelyn Mims is the hardest working woman in Atlanta. There is a small segment of leaders in media, communications and the volunteer world who seem able to build relationships, trust and rapport with anyone. Evelyn is one of those people! Her style allows her to make connections between people, create partnerships, and motivate others to “rise above.”  

Evelyn Mims is the force that keeps WXIA running day-to-day. Although she wears several hats, she is officially the Community Relations Specialist for the entire station, and Associate Producer for Atlanta & Company. While navigating the promotions department, news department and everything in between, she IS the “go to” person. If there is a problem to be solved, Evelyn has the solution. Every community organization and community leader who meets her recognizes her solution-based thinking. Currently she serves on the advisory board of the Shepherd Center, which specializes in treatment, care, and rehab of spinal cord injuries and disease. She also serves on the board of “Project Open Hand” where she lends her advice and “know how” on various projects. While managing both boards, she also finds time to serve on the board of The Black Women in Film Preservation Project, and volunteers with AID Atlanta and PALS. Her community involvement does not stop there. Each year Evelyn can be found chairing, hosting and promoting events for the March of Dimes and Hosea Feed the Hungry. Because of her dedication to the Atlanta community she was honored as most valuable Atlanta volunteer and featured on The Discovery channel.  Evelyn’s Television career has spanned more than 30 years. A Graduate of Jackson State University in Mississippi, and active member of the Delta Sigma Theta organization, her first job were at NBC affiliate WLBT, later moving to WXIA. She has worked in every corner of the industry, from syndication, programming, promotion, production and special events. This immense knowledge led her to be voted as President of the Southeast Chapter of National Television Academy of Television Art & Sciences. She remains the only two-term woman President in the history of the chapter.  Evelyn’s grace, sense of humor and shear talent can be seen each week on Atlanta & Company. As the “Soap Sultress”, she dishes out the dirt and latest gossip on all the national Soap Operas. Her work in front of the camera, as well as, behind the scenes garnered her three Emmy nominations on 11Alive’s top rated “Noonday” show, leading to guest appearances on Days of Our Lives.  Evelyn has helped lead and nurture Atlanta’s Community for the more than three decades. She remains on the cusp of technology mastering the art of social media. She is a valued and trusted individual who stands for quality and hard work.

PROGRAM

Heritage Drummers & Dancers

Mistress of Ceremonies Evelyn Mims

Invocation

Rev. Dr. Gerald L. Durley

Dinner Cuisine Tasting

Youth Musical/Dance Selections by

Shaniah Jones C.O.C Youth Group

Greetings

Dr. Wendy Jacobson & Dr. Andrew Miller

Acknowledgment of the 2011 Taste of the World Chefs Chef Curtis Hicks

2011 Youth of the Year Award

Brittany Alexis Myers, Berea College in Berea, Kentucky

Champion of Hope Award Emory-Tibet Partnership & Emory Mind Body Program

Legacy of Hope Award

Commissioner Larry Johnson Presiding Officer of DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

Remarks

Joe Hindsley, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Atlanta Hon. Geoffrey Teneilabe, Consul General of Nigeria

Lifting Hands for Orphans

Cultural Dance Selection by The Nazeem Aloha Dancers

Special Acknowledgments

Colenda A. Jefferson ACF Program Manager

Closing Remarks

Victor Mbaba ACF President & Founder