‘Black-ish’ Creator Among Clark Atlanta Alums Honored At Spirit Of Greatness Gala

ATLANTA, Ga. Hundreds of Clark Atlanta University alumni, dignitaries and celebrities gathered at the Omni Hotel on Saturday night for the 9^th Annual Spirit of Greatness Gala to raise needed money for educational scholarships for CAU students.

The black-tie affair recognized school alumni and pioneers making a positive contribution to CAU and society.

“Tonight is a recognition that our future is as bright as our past,” said CAU President Ronald A. Johnson. "We are the essence of the spirit of greatness. The essence of our culture.”

Honorees included Kenya Barris, the CAU 1996 grad who serves as the producer, writer and creator of the critically acclaimed ABC Network sitcom “Black-ish”; The Honorable Brenda Hill Cole, the 1967 CAU graduate now serving as a Fulton County State Court Senior Judge; Horace Henry, a 1971 graduate of Clark College and world-renowned photographer; Anthony White, the 1999 CAU grad who is now an Emmy-award winning videographer and journalist; Al B. Reid, the 1983 graduate of Clark College now working as the vice president of corporate development at Abbott Laboratories; and Steve Ewing, president and owner of Wade Ford.

Emcees for the evening were KDKA-CBS Pittsburgh Anchor Lisa Washington Rushing and former DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May, both Clark Atlanta University 1998 alumni.

“Clark Atlanta University played an integral part in the success I enjoy today,” Barris told the audience. “The lessons, friendships, trials, and triumphs gained during my time at CAU all helped propel me to where I am now.”

Like Barris, several of the honorees spoke of their humble beginnings.

“My mom had me at the age of 15 - we didn’t have much,” said White, the tearful 12 time Emmy Award winner whose emotional speech had the crowd in tears. “We couldn’t afford for me to go to college, then one day I got a call from CAU, they accepted me, and that’s why I am here today.”

The Spirit of Greatness Gala to date has raised more than $1.5 million for CAU students. Alumni from all over the country attend the black-tie gala. This year, actor/comedian Justin Hires of Stomp the Yard, 21 Jump Street and Rush Hour made a surprise visit.

Guests dined and danced to the sounds of Grammy-winner Howard Hewett.

Photo courtesy of Clark Atlanta University