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THE GENTLEMEN’S FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 6TH ANNUAL “GENTLEMEN’S BALL” IN ATLANTA, GA

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THE GENTLEMEN’S FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 6TH ANNUAL “GENTLEMEN’S BALL” IN ATLANTA, GA

(ATLANTA, GA) – MAY 25, 2017 – The nation’s best and brightest thought leaders, visionaries and social influencers will celebrate the accomplishments of LGBTQ of color genius during the 6th Annual Gentlemen’s Ball, Powered by UPS, 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30th, 2017 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel.

Under the theme, “We Are Royalty,” this year’s formal celebration is the signature event of The Gentlemen’s Ball Weekend set for September 29th through October 1st. Three days of programming filled with activities for guests and allies to recharge and reimagine their lives. Empowering experiences include: a health & wellness fair, workshops on love, relationships and financial planning, along with parties, mixers and socials before and after the ball.

“We are Royalty speaks to a tradition of excellence and service our ancestors exemplified in their efforts to build strong and loving communities,” says Gee Smalls, co-founder of The Gentlemen’s Foundation, the charitable organization that produces the ball and weekend line-up. “It is only fitting we expand our award honorees to include all LGBTQ men and women of color daring to be the change needed to solve the challenges before us.”

The message of unity extends to the ball’s cohosts, comedians Sampson McCormick and Tammy Peay, who will deliver their respective brands of wit and charm throughout the evening.

“To lift-up the brilliance that exists among us is simply amazing,” says Peay, whose acclaimed career includes film, television and stage performances, including Roger Omeus’ “Finding Me: The Series,” the first-ever Pride concert at Carnegie Hall and the weekly “Talk ‘N Tea” online radio show. “This is our time.”

Celebrity photographer and disabled Vietnam veteran Jerome Dorn embodies the very definition of resilience. Born in Philadelphia, the fifth of seven children, Dorn stayed focused throughout his youth, eventually obtaining his degree in Criminal Justice. Dorn has worked with the Philadelphia Police Department, Department of Justice, World Wide Detective Agency, and several other high profile security groups. Throughout his successful career, Dorn wrestled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, an aftereffect of his military service. Battling the pain and debilitating effect of PTSD, Dorn found comfort behind the camera. Photography proved to be not only therapeutic, but life changing as well. Dorn picked up his first camera in 1970 while serving in Vietnam and knew instantly that behind the lens was where he belonged. His shooting style and photographs were special, generating a buzz in the industry. In 1985, he began his career in photojournalism, working in a variety of genres. Dorn’s credentials include fashion, lifestyle photography, photojournalism, and celebrity/red carpet coverage. Working with MSNBC, Jet Magazine, and major publications in Philadelphia and around the country, Dorn has had the honor of capturing the images of hundreds of notable celebrities and politicians including President Barack Obama, George Bush Jr, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Maya Angelou, Jesse Jackson, Rihanna, Snoop Dog, Will Smith, and Tyler Perry. Photography has sent Dorn around the globe, inspiring his passion for civil activism. In 1995, Dorn assembled and led a group of forty-two men to the Million Man March. Together, they spent five days walking from Philadelphia to Washington DC. In his travels, Dorn observed a common theme amongst the youth of the world. Many of the children he encountered seemed lost. Understanding that opportunities for at-risk youth are minimal, Dorn was inspired to make a difference. Established by Dorn in 2011, InDaHouseMedia was built on the idea that there is room in the house for everyone. With InDaHouseMedia, Dorn’s mission is to provide the future generation with positive direction through sports, music, and photography.

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