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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lenora Bowler
BE PR&M
Telephone: 404.543.7376
Email: BElenora at gmail.com
Website: http://www.onlyinthea.com/chozenawards
2008 CHOZEN Award Celebration
A Night Full of Emotions, Inspiration and Firsts
Atlanta, GA (December 15, 2008) – Despite the raging winds and tornado warnings that hovered across Atlanta on Wednesday, December 10th, the 2008 CHOZEN Awards went off without a hitch.
“We had high expectations for tonight,” smiles Liberty host of video magazine, Only In the A. “We created an affair to honor a worthy group of heroes in Atlanta, and we did that. We also wanted to raise support and awareness of a young mother and her ailing son; and we did that too! If you asked me, tonight was a great success.”
Not only was the night filled with the comical antics of hosts, Cauthen and Jimmy of Mel City entertainment; it was also full of emotion for some of the night’s winners.
“I’ve only been in Atlanta for three years and I hit the ground running,” shared
Tammie Reed, Newsmaker of the Year Tammie Reed. With tears in her eyes Reid joyfully shared that “this is my first award.”
Emotions continued to run high as 21-year-old Brittany McMullen, for whom donations were raised from the free event for her five-month-old son Ojore who has Gastroschisis.
According to a report published in 2005 on birth defects in Atlanta, it states that Gastroschisis – a condition where the intestines grow outside of the body - is more prevalent amongst teenager mothers, and less likely among African American women. An observation that makes McMullen’s case an exception.
“I just want to thank everyone who ever gave a prayer or a thought to my son,” said McMullen who was presented with a special gift from Atlanta clothier and event sponsor, PZI Jeans. “I emailed a lot of people asking for help…(as) I don’t have to move the means to move to Nebraska for four months,” for Ojore’s transplant surgery. “I appreciate everything you’ve done because something is working. I keep a smile because I know that God’s got him. He’s the joy of my life.”
In case you missed the first annual 2008 CHOZEN AWARDS, Motivator of the Year John Gray said it best, “Too see something on this level so early…only bolds well for the future. I want to encourage each entrepreneur, motivator, leader, in this room do not neglect to go after your dreams. You’ve got one life, make it count.”
Special thanks to the Hammonds House Museum, FUZE, PZI Jeans, ATL2Nite.com, The Style Suite, NABFEME, Blue Boy Media and A Clothes Encounter.
If you would like to make a donation to Brittany McMullen and Ojore please contact them directly at Egleston Children’s Hospital at 404-553-9415
2008 CHOZEN Award Winners
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Brandon Johnson - BlackAtlanta.com
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Ashley Skiles – Susan G. Komen for the Cure
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Vance Gray – Clark Atlanta University
ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
Anika N. Madden & Lydia Odenat – International Black Docufest
NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR
Atlanta Urban League Young Professionals
NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR
Creative Loafing – Rodney Carmichael
Talking with Tami- Tammie Reed
BLOGGER OF THE YEAR
SandraRose.com
PARTY STARTER OF THE YEAR
Sol Fusion – J. Cater
MOTIVATOR OF THE YEAR
John Gray - MannaGod
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Canton Jones
TASTEMAKER OF THE YEAR
Harlem Bar - Jeanne Carillo-Wyche
TRENDSETTERS OF THE YEAR
Too Groovy Salon & Spa
STYLISTA OF THE YEAR
DTLR
HEALTH PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR
Shannon Hamilton Sr. – Get In Shape Boot Camp
HOPE AWARD
Hotep Simmons - Hustle University
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lenora Bowler
BE PR&M
Telephone: 404.543.7376
Email: BElenora at gmail.com
Website: http://www.onlyinthea.com/chozenawards
Television Show Rallies Support to Save Baby OJ’s Life
Atlanta, GA November 14, 2008 – When 21-year old Brittany McMullen reached out to her sisters on the Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment (NABFEME) mailing list, Only In The A answered the call to help her four-month-old son, Ojore Jevell Bryant who has gastroschisis (a condition where intestines develop outside the fetal abdomen).
“I don’t think it’s an accident that we’re in the midst of online voting for our 2008 CHOZEN Awards & Hope Award, where our viewers get a chance to honor hard working individuals who have gone above the call of duty,” says Liberty, host of the weekly lifestyle television show that airs on MARTA buses. “And after reading Brittany’s email, I felt challenged to do more. I mean here we are honoring people who make a difference in the community, and here’s our chance to walk the talk. It’s our chance help save this young boy’s life.”
Baby ‘O.J.’ currently awaits clearance to have an intestinal transplant. However, a recent illness has delayed the surgery, and doctors want to perform an additional procedure before attempting to mend his fragile body.
Initially, “the doctors told me that me that (Ojore) wouldn’t survive,” says McMullen, from her son’s bedside at Egleston Hospital at Emory. “All the doctors that I have spoken with have told me that my son’s intestines are to short for him to sustain life. They gave me the option to send him home with hospice and let him die. My son is too beautiful and full of life to let anyone give up on him especially me (so) I’m doing everything I can to be proactive.”
Join Only In The A on December 10th, 2008 at the Hammonds House Museum (503 Peeples Street, SW, Atlanta, GA 30313) for this cocktail awards reception and fundraiser to assist with the medical expense for Ojore Jevell Bryant and Brittany McMullen.
Special thanks to Blue Boy Media, ATL2nite.com, NABFEME and The Style Suite.
For more information on how you can help, please contact Lenora Bowler at 404.543.7376 or BElenora at gmail.com
Click here to view the official list of 2008 CHOZEN Award Nominees
.: Do you want to get on board?
In addition to honoring the movers and shakers in Atlanta, this 2008 CHOZEN Award stands out because of our commitment to community initiatives. This year we will be collecting donations at our cocktail reception to help to alleviate some of the financial burdens of baby Ojore Jevell Bryant who has gastroschisis (a condition where intestines develop outside the fetal abdomen).
We are calling on the city of Atlanta for their support. If you are unable to attend the cocktail reception at the Hammonds House Museum on Wednesday, December 10th; please feel free to contact us regarding a donation, or items for gift bags. Any assistance that you can provide, is greatly appreciated.
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