CTS IMPACT ATLANTA CONCERT ’19

February 23, 2019

First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta

Through music, dance, poetry, and interactive conversation, the CTS Impact Atlanta Concert celebrated high-caliber artists of color in Atlanta and highlight the work of advocates for Atlanta’s homeless community.

CTS Dinner and Discussion Panelists

Dónal Noonan

Formed in 2013 by Dónal Noonan, the Atlanta Homeward Choir is made up of a diverse group of individuals who have battled homelessness, using music and performance art as a vessel to uplift, encourage and instill a sense of community.

Terresha Anthony

The Edna Raine Wardlaw Coker Women’s Transition Center

Serving as Case Worker at the Women’s Transition Center at First Presbyterian Church, Terresha Anthony develops programs to support those experiencing homlessness on the road back to self sufficiency.

Malika Whitley

ChopArt

Founded in 2010 by Malika Whitley, ChopArt serves homeless youth ages 10 – 18. The organization aims to build community, coping skills and healing through dance, painting, music, poetry, photography, and theater

Tracy Woodard

Mad Housers

A professional violinist and a hands-on advocate for Atlanta’s homeless community, Tracy Woodard serves as President of Mad Housers; whose primary endeavor is to build temporary, emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families.

CTS Impact Atlanta Concert 2019 Master of Ceremonies

Mr. Afemo Omilami

COO Hosea Helps

Mr. Afemo Omilami

Afemo Omilami is an acclaimed film, television, stage actor and philanthropist. He has enjoyed a long film and television career spanning forty years with featured roles in “Drumline”, “Remember the Titans”, “Forrest Gump”, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and “Steel Magnolias.”

In addition to being a sought-after actor, Mr. Omilami has dedicated his life to charity work with economically challenged communities across the globe. For more than twenty years he has been the Chief Operating Officer of Atlanta’s largest social services organization, Hosea Helps (a.k.a Hosea Feed The Hungry and Homeless) that was founded by Civil Rights Icon Hosea Williams. With his assistance, the organization serves 25,000 people per year with food, toiletries, medical supplies, shoes, school supplies, and more. During the holidays, he and his wife Elisabeth Omilami lead Hosea Helps in providing free services such as barber and beautician makeovers, 16,000 annually delivered meals, and more than 3,000 services provided for children at the Back to School Jamboree and Children’s Christmas Party.

CTS Impact Atlanta Concert 2019 Artists

Atlanta homeward choir

The Atlanta Homeward Choir is a men’s and women’s choir whose participants come from all walks of life. Entering its fourth season, the choir has received national, and international media attention and continues to grow as it shares its mission to uplift, encourage and instill a sense of community through music. They aim to change the perception of homelessness in the community by exposing audiences to the gifts in those who have been so easily overlooked.

The Georgia State Choral Union

The Choral Union is the largest choral group on campus and is open to university students as well as faculty, staff, and local community members. Consisting of approximately one hundred voices, its large membership includes music majors, minors and other singers from throughout the university in all years and areas of study. The Choral Union performs literature for mixed voices from all periods of music history, including jazz, classical, gospel, African American spirituals, and popular music.

Angelica Hairston

Harpist Angelica Hairston is known for her fiery performances and her passion for social change. She launched Challenge the Stats in 2016 and currently serves as the Artistic Director of the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble. Angelica holds a Master of Music Industry Leadership from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Music from The Royal Conservatory in Toronto, Ontario.

Leah Claiborne

Classical pianist, Dr. Leah Claiborne, took to the competitive stage at an early age performing in various states across the country as well as Italy, the Czech Republic, and Germany. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Manhattan School of Music and a Masters degree in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy, and recently completed her doctoral degree at the University of Michigan. Leah is currently professor of African American Music at the University of District of Columbia.

Maurice Draughn

Harpist and composer Maurice Draughn began his harp studies at Detroit’s Cass Technical High School. He holds a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Harp Performance from Wayne State University and a Master of Church Music with a concentration in Harp and Organ Performance from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His arrangements and transcriptions are self-published through DtM Publications.

Tramaine Jones

Tramaine Jones began learning the violin at the age of nine and has not put down her instrument since. After graduating from the Tri-cities High School Performing Arts Program, she received a scholarship to attend Northwestern University where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance and Master’s Degree in Music Education.
Mrs. Jones performs with the Symphony Orchestra of Augusta, Tuscaloosa Symphony, and the Harlem Festival Orchestra.

Noah johnson

Noah Johnson is a freelance cellist and teacher in Atlanta. Equally at home performing contemporary, pop, and classical music, Noah has performed with the North Georgia Chamber Symphony, the Gulf Port Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra Noir, and additionally with 2Chainz, Migos, and Gina Breedlove.

Noah teaches cello privately at the home studio of Mary Beth Bryant. He enjoys working with students of all ages and backgrounds on varied repertoire across all genres. He holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Georgia.

PreEti Uttam

Preeti Uttam is a playback singer in Bollywood, and is the daughter of music director Uttam Singh. She was one of the child singers in the very popular “Lakdi ki kath,i kathi pe ghoda” (“Masoom”, 1983). She went on to sing several Hindi film songs including the critically acclaimed “Charkha Chalati Maa” (“Pinjar”, 2003). After her first album “Preeti”, she worked on the album “Aathwan Sur – The Other Side of Naushad” (1998) in which she sang songs composed by the legendary music director Naushad along with singer, Hariharan. She later collaborated with her father on the album “Sur” (2002). Preeti is now a teacher in Atlanta.

Sherrod Mitchell

Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, Sherrod Mitchell is the current viola teacher at the William Pu Music Academy and performs regularly with the Atlanta Ballet and Atlanta Opera. He has played with Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra, the Carl Rosa Opera Company (From London, England), and Tyler Perry’s Studio Opening. Sherrod holds a Bachelor’s in Viola Performance from Columbus State University, where he studied with Manuel Diaz and performed under the baton of Patricio Cobos.

Thulani Vereen

Dancer Thulani Vereen is a current student at Spelman College studying Computer Science. Thulani began dancing at a young age and remains actively involved in the Spelman Dance Theater. Through dance, she has been able to travel and perform throughout the United States.

Jessica Stinson

Violinist Jessica Robinson Stinson has been hailed as a “thrilling and spectacular” performer with “remarkably mature musicianship”. Jessica has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe. She received a Master’s in Violin Performance from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. Jessica performs regularly with the Atlanta Opera Orchestra, serves as a Teaching Artist with the Atlanta Music Project and was appointed Principal Second Violin of the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra.