All that were in attendance at the 22nd Annual HAL Awards Ceremony this evening, enjoyed the Mistress of Ceremonies, JoMarie Payton, who did a wonderful job! This evening's presenters were:
Claudette Robinson, Narada Michael Walden, Shelly Berger, Miller London, Lenny Williams, James Avery, Brandy Norwood, Ray J Norwood and Jon Platt.
Mimi Makabi,Editor in Chief of Celebrity Society Magazine, Rosie Pearson and I had a blast! It was good to see Jackie Jackson as well as so many other Motown Alumni. Claudette Robinson looked fabulous in her fire engine red dress. Frieda Payne looked beautiful in her evening sky blue dress and
Ms. Marla Gibbs looked lovely as ever in her red out fit as well. Grammy Award winning writer, producer, Preston Glass was in the house as well.
One could feel the positive energy in the air. Just knowing that the Temptations were about to take the stage was enough for several people not to ever sit back down again. Oh, yes, so many people were up doing - you guessed it - the Temptation Walk! So, as the Temptations took the stage and sang a song or two for us, we rocked and rolled to the Motown sounds...
Berry Gordy jaunted up to the stage like a swift Jaguar. Berry Gordy was refreshingly down to earth, reflecting on how it was in the early days of his career, guiding others to greatness, " I can honestly remember Otis Williams always keeping in mind - and practiced over the 50 years - " The sum is always greater than its parts". Berry Gordy also stated that the music industry is not an easy feat. Mr. Gordy goes on to say, "Believe me, at times, I didn't know where I was going." But the team that had been established, stuck by him. Otis Williams called Motown their own version of "Camelot". Motown is our family.
Our home.
Ms. Bradford, Founder/ CEO of the HAL Awards Foundation, a 501(c)(3), is truly all about taking care of the children. Regardless if you are a child from a broken home - it doesn't mean that your fate is sealed.
Ms. Bradford makes sure to place our youth on a path that leads to success. How? By making sure that these young boys and girls have the opportunity to receive a proper education with scholarships from various organizations that all come together under one roof - The House that Ms. Bradford's annual HAL Awards Silent Auction and Dinner built.
This year's honorees were:
Ray Parker Jr. - Outstanding Achievement In Music
Sonja Norwood - Cornerstone Award
Jay Brown - Triumph Award
Bobby Womack - Legacy Award
The Temptations - Icon Award
According to Ms. Bradford,
" We are the people; the soul of this country. We are the individual; the freedom of this country. We are the fiber; the love of this country. We are the spirit the strength of this country. We are the privileged, the tried, the proven. We are the United States....united we stand!"
Thank you, Debra Burly for making this happen for me - and Errolyn Meadoux. You two ROCK!
HAL Awards Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) - 310.274.1609 See how you can help...
Smooches,
Carla
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