On Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, rolling out magazine partnered with Ford to host the first annual Men of Power & Influence Awards in Atlanta. The swanky VIP reception and awards ceremony honored men who are powerful in their industries and influential to the youth in the city and beyond. The 2012 Men of Power & Influence honorees included: entertainment mogul and philanthropist Michael Mauldin, Atlanta city councilman Kwanza Hall, DeKalb County commissioner Lee May, Grammy Award-winning producer Shondrae “Bangladesh” Crawford, rapper and songwriter Roscoe Dash, founding and managing partner of Edmond & Lindsay LLP Rod Edmond, Coca-Cola executive Mark Pitts, V-103 radio host and restaurateur Frank Ski, Olympic gold medalist Angelo Taylor, NCAA and NBA champion Derek Anderson, Dr. William Jelani Cobb and professor Nathan McCall. Legendary music producer Jermaine Dupri was among the honorees but unable to attend; his father Michael Mauldin graciously accepted the award on his behalf. Emmy Award-winning CNN journalist and anchor Don Lemon also received an award for his commitment to the community.
“The African American men recognized tonight from Tyson Beckford and Nathan McCall to Bangladesh – through their work and tireless service – are a part of a generation that reflects the likes of our President and are role models,” said Munson Steed, CEO and publisher of Steed Media Group.
Supermodel Tyson Beckford and TV personality and author Toya Wright co-hosted the event celebrating this diverse group of industry leaders. Celebrities, tastemakers, and key influencers in Atlanta congratulated the honorees including Memphitz, TV One’s “R&B Divas” Syleena Johnson, V-103’s Egypt Sherrod and many more. The exclusive ceremony, which was held at the luxurious Twelve Ballroom at Atlantic Station, consisted of high fashion, signature cocktails and over six-hundred invite-only guests.
Tyson was surprised with an award for his lifelong achievements and commitment to the hip-hop community. During his acceptance speech, he recalled his first casting with Ford for a commercial highlighting a yellow Mustang, which elevated his career. Tyson also expressed his gratitude for being included among the honorees and thanked Ford and rollingout.com for their dedication and support of the community.
Steed Media Group is the largest black-owned media company covering the top news stories in music, politics and culture. The company is comprised of several media brands including rolling out, Hip Hop On Demand, Club Hardhead, Talking Pretty and several others. Headquartered in Atlanta, with several offices across the country in key urban markets, Steed Media Group produces and distributes 19 newspapers, and develops content for custom magazines, television programming, internet properties, and branded publications such as Producer 10. Steed Media Group also creates signature events and marketing initiatives.