ATLANTA, GA (August 9, 2015) – EMMY-winning Family Feud, talk show and radio star Steve Harvey hosted a star-studded evening at the 13th Annual Ford Neighborhood Awards on Saturday August 8th in Atlanta, GA. In a dynamic takeover of the Philips Arena, throngs of stars, nominees, and fans came together in celebration for an unforgettable night filled with fiery performances, comedy and poignant moments of inspiration in an awards show for the everyday men and women across the country who are making a powerful impact in their neighborhoods. Music icon Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds kicked off the show with a passionate opening set that quickly had the crowd on its feet, chart-topping recording artist and movie star Tyrese Gibson performed beloved crowd favorites, and GRAMMY® winning superstar Usher delivered a blowout closing set to cap a special evening of honors.
Steve Harvey had the crowd roaring with laughter throughout the show, joined by celebrity presenters that included Sanaa Lathan, Michael Ealy, Anthony Anderson, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Michelle Williams, Tamar Braxton, Kandi Burruss, Wendy Raquel Robinson, David and Tamela Mann, Yolanda Adams, Erica Campbell, Kym Whitley, Sheryl Underwood, Roland Martin, Stephen A. Smith, Kenny and Gwendolyn Smith, Loni Love, MC Lyte, Angelique Perrin, Ed Gordon, Shirley Strawberry, Nephew Tommy, Carla Ferrell, and Junior.
Cheering on the winners in 12 Neighborhood Awards categories, the 13th Annual Ford Neighborhood Awards show featured repeat and first-time winners from across the country, encompassing winners from Washington DC, Chicago, Charlotte NC, Columbia SC, Austin TX, Baton Rouge, Tallahassee, Norfolk VA, and Atlanta, as well as a check presentation by Ford Motor Company towards the community efforts of Best Community Leader Award winner James Jones Sr, of Simply United Together.
Harvey said, “We designed this show for people in the community who don’t get recognition everyday, to celebrate their work with a big round of applause!”
Marking the show’s 13th anniversary, Steve Harvey and television/radio/film producer Rushion McDonald created the one-of-a kind Neighborhood Awards show (formerly the Hoodie Awards) and Neighborhood Awards Weekend, to recognize and celebrate men and women nationwide who uplift their neighborhoods through their contributions and excellence as entrepreneurs, religious/community leaders, educators and more. The 13th Annual Ford Neighborhood Awards show hosted by Steve Harvey was the center of the blowout 2015 Neighborhood Awards Weekend in Atlanta, with four days of events at the Georgia World Congress Center and the Philips Arena that featured sold-out shows and interactive activities including the 3-day State Farm Neighborhood Awards Expo, the State Farm Freedom Friday Party, the Steve Harvey Morning Show Live Broadcast, Family Feud Live presented by Ford, hosted by Steve Harvey, the “Black Lives Matter” and “Would You Date You” panels, and more.
The 13th Annual Ford Neighborhood Awards show announced the winners in the following 12 Neighborhood Awards categories:
Best High School Coach, sponsored by Masterbuilt
Kenneth Lockett, Franklin Senior High School (KBZE 105.39-FM, Baton Rouge, LA)
Best Nail Salon
Salon Couture (WHUR 96.3-FM Washington, DC)
Best School Teacher, sponsored by Express Employment Professionals
Melanie Griffin Hamlin, Manor High School (KKMJ 96.3-FM Austin, TX)
Best Car Wash/Detail Shop
Goodson’s Auto Detailing (WWLD 102.3-FM Tallahassee, FL)
Best Church Choir, sponsored by AARP
St. Mark 4B Missionary Baptist Church (WWDM 101.3 Columbia, SC)
Best Soul Food Place
Dusties Southern Style Buffet (WVAZ 103.3-FM Chicago, IL)
Best Barbershop
Platinum Cuts Barbershop (V101.9-FM Charlotte-Gastonia, NC)
Best High School, sponsored by State Farm
Charles Herbert Flowers High School (WHUR 96.3-FM Washington, DC)
Best Barbecue Place
Kenny’s Ribs & Chicken (V103-FM Chicago, IL)
Best Beauty Salon, sponsored by DHerbs
Platinum Stylz Hair Studio (WVKL 95.7-FM Norfolk, VA)
Best Church, sponsored by McDonald’s
First Baptist Church of Glenarden (WHUR 96.3-FM Washington, DC)
Best Community Leader, sponsored by Ford
James L. Jones Sr., Simply United Together (Majic 107.5/97.5-FM Atlanta, GA)
