Newsmaker of the Year, Tammie Reid

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 Reid, Newsmaker of the Year Tammie Reid. 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

CHOZEN AWARDS hosts Cauthen and Jimmy joined by Brittany McMullen (middle)

Health Practitioner of the Year, Shannon Hamilton Sr.

Anesha Davis and Yalanda Lattimore (Dryerbuzz.com)

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