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Media Contact: Jesse Mills, MConsulting 443.538.4255 Sheryl Lee Ralph hosts the National Black Arts Festival’s 3rd Annual Fine Art+Fashion Benefit ATLANTA, GeorgiaFebruary 23, 2009 On Thursday, February 19, 2009, The National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) and sponsors MercedesBenz of Buckhead, W Atlanta Downtown, Southern Company, Simon Sign Systems, and Arthur & Jay Richardson to present “Fine Art + Fashion.” The event was a fine art showcase and designer fashion show benefit for the NBAF’s year around cultural and humanities educational programming. The event was held at the new Building 2 West Wing of the America’s Mart in downtown Atlanta. The event took place in 3 phases: a champagne reception, fine art+fashion show and culminated with a VIP after party. Sheryl Lee Ralph hosted the evening’s festivities to a crowd over 375 guests. Ms. Ralph was recognized by NBAF with its Model Citizen Award for 2009. She is the second person, after Iman to receive this honor. She was honored for her acclaimed career as a star of stage, screen, TV, and as the Celebrity spokesperson for the National Minority AIDS Council. She works tirelessly to advocate for AIDS/HIV and produces "Divas Simply Singing" to raise awareness and much needed funds for AIDS/HIV. Jasmine Guy made a surprise appearance to honor her colleague. "It was such an honor for NBAF to ask me to present this award. Sheryl Lee is a talented actress, wonderful friend, and role model to all of us in the industry for her activism and philanthropy on behalf of AIDS/HIV." Event producer, Judy Hanenkrat said of the event, "The Third Annual Fine Art + Fashion and our first evening event with fashion partner Saks Fifth Avenue was a wonderful success. The evening highlighted the "virtual NBAF" with its sponsor recognition wall and virtual art exhibit curated by Charles Nelson featuring some of our best artists living and working in Atlanta. Acclaimed actress Sheryl Lee Ralph delighted the audience as Celebrity Host, and received our heartfelt thanks and a few tears when she was honored by NBAF and Jasmine Guy with the2009 Model Citizen Award. Plans are now underway for an even more amazing event with more "fine art, fashion and fabulosity" for 2010." The event was covered by local and national media including Atlanta Daily World, The Atlantan, W Magazine, Connect Magazine, WCLK and V103. Music was provided by the wellknow Joel Rabe of Lethal Rhythms. Notable guests in attendance included the chair, Tamara Kimble and her cochairs, John Palmer, Mary Ann Rohrer and Arthur Richardson. Other sponsors and guests attending were John & Vicki Palmer, Sandra Baccus, Allan & Aida Flamm, Charlene & Earnest Ingram, Kasim Reed, Steve & Millie Smith, Joe Barry Carroll, Cathie Wilson from Saks, Harold Dawson, Jr.. Also spotted in the audience were Tonya Ellerby, Juanita & Gregory Baranco (Honorary CoChairs). About the 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. # # #