2010 Salute to Greatness Dinner

Sisters Sheila Kennedy Bryant and Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy at the 2010 Salute To Greatness Dinner in Atlanta

THE BUZZ: From January 16th through 18th, 2010, I participated in events commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s 81st birthday including the Annual Salute to Greatness Awards Dinner in Atlanta which honored Quincy Jones and Allstate. Dr. King’s nephew and CEO of The King Center, Isaac Newton Farris, Jr. did a good job and it was nice seeing him and his mother, Christine King Farris (Dr. King’s sister), again. I said hello to Ingrid Saunders, Chair of the Coca-Cola Foundation, and also got the chance to spend time with my long-time mentor, Jesse Hill, Jr. and see his wife, Azira – as well as their granddaughter and her beautiful 8-week-old daughter. We certainly missed Coretta Scott King and Yolanda King. Dexter King was not there due to his car accident. We pray he gets better soon.

Quincy Jones and Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy at the 2010 Salute to Greatness Dinner in Atlanta

After the official dinner, we went to a private “after dinner” dinner at Straits – Ludacris’ restaurant – with Quincy and a handful of other friends. It was quite special. He is certainly a brilliant man. We talked about everything from yoga, meditation and seaweed (for health) to my former colleagues at MTV Networks and his international travel and humanitarian work. Haiti was obviously on our minds as well. We were out until about 3am.

I also attended the Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Monday. Dr. Cornel West was the keynote speaker. He was in rare form. Another brilliant man! Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed turned into a preacher when he took the microphone. He is a dynamic leader and speaker. After the service, we went to lunch with Ambassador Andrew Young and his wife Caroline, as well as Mayor Reed and a few other friends.