FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Saniyyah Griffin, NBAF (404) 730-0185
The National Black Arts Festival Hosts Its First Winter Ball: The Art of Change ATLANTA, Georgia-December 19, 2008- On Saturday, December 6, 2008, The Collective Renaissance Guild (CRG) of the National Black Arts Festival honored Antwan “Big Boi” Patton of the Grammy Award Winning Hip-Hop duo OUTKAST, for his groundbreaking performance in the 2008 Atlanta Ballet production of ‘big’. The Renaissance Award was presented to Big Boi by special guest, Dr. Cornel West as a symbolic passing of the baton from one generation to the next. The event was held at the prestigious Mercedes Benz of Buckhead. Lifestyle Specialist Kenny Burns and Radio One's leading lady Rashan Ali hosted the celebrated evening of special performances and artistic presentations designed to inspire creativity and engage audiences. Kenny Burns said of the event, “It was as refreshing as Obama being elected to the presidency. It was Black Love at it's finest! I will do my best to support EVERY event that The National Black Arts Festival produces in the future.” Celebrity DJ Trauma played all old school favorites for this event. Performances included Funk Lordz/Zulu Nation, and Ginga Mundo, as well as Atlanta area dancers and beat-boxers. Celebrities in attendance included: Dr. Cornel West, Big Boi, Rashan Ali, Kenny Burns, Nicole Ari-Parker and Boris Kodjoe, Yung Joc, Ambassador Andrew Young, Mychael Knight, Bryan Michael-Cox, DJ Trauma, Dekalb County Commissioner Lee May, Stephanie S. Hughley (Executive Producer of NBAF), and more. Jesse Mills, Brand Architect, of M-Consulting was quoted saying, “The Art of Change was a historical celebration of art and culture and represents the profound character that the National Black Arts Festival stands for!" ABOUT COLLECTIVE RENAISSANCE GUILD The COLLECTIVE RENAISSANCE GUILD (CRG) is a non-profit organization comprised of dynamic young professional women who could no longer be silent as the media, popular music, reality television and film define their generation’s role in society. Contrary to popular imaging, these young women of affluence and influence have chosen to place social responsibility over
upward mobility as they launch a movement to raise the social, political and humanitarian consciousness of their peers. ABOUT NATIONAL BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL The National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) is one of the premier national and international celebrations of the art, music and culture of people of African descent. The mission of the NBAF is to engage, cultivate and educate diverse audiences about the arts and culture of the African Diaspora and provide opportunities for artistic and creative expression. Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Commission under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council, Georgia Black United Fund, Georgia Council for the Arts, The Kendeda Fund, The Nonprofit Finance Fund/Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. ###