WOMAN IN BUSINESS AWARD Robin Latimore

Robin started singing as a little girl for devotion at her mother’s revival services and in church “When your mom is the minister, you don’t have a choice ” It was her parents who sparked her musical interest Her dad had a passion for traditional and contemporary jazz as well as big band swing, and her mom pushed gospel and inspirational music Together, Robin acquired a love for these two genres more than any other

She is a graduate of The Fort Valley State University She joined her first band in 1988 She is no stranger to R & B, Rap, Country Western, and other alternative genres Robin is influenced by her idols Phyllis Hyman, Lalah Hathaway, Oleta Adams, The Clark Sisters, Maysa Leak, Karen Carpenter, Roberta Flack, Jennifer Holiday, and Stevie Wonder

With all this, Robin could not (and would not) escape her gospel heritage She started working as a choir director in Warner Robins, Georgia at the age of nineteen and has continued to share her views on gospel music as well as teaching it with different denominational churches “It gives me such a rush when gospel music is sung and ministered with passion ” She continues to do this same type of work, as she is the current choir director at St Mark AME church in Atlanta, Ga

Currently, Robin is the lead vocalist for her band "Robin Latimore and Friends " and performs regularly with Joe Gransden and his 16piece big band She has shared the stage with jazz greats Rachelle Ferrell, Phil Perry, Maysa, Johnathan Butler, Michael Franks, and Jeff Lorber Robin has been the featured vocalist for the Ritz Carlton Downtown Atlanta, where she performed for all signature ballroom brunches for 7 years You can also catch her around town on weekends at various clubs, restaurants, and lounges Robin is also a producer of shows, as she hosts and produces Gospel Jazz Brunch each Sunday at St James Live She periodically hosts various acts for the City Winery and Kat’s Café She is currently planning the opening of her lounge, The Robin’s Nest, coming soon

Robin is the CEO of The Robin Latimore Foundation, whose mission is to educate the community on prevention techniques and best practices regarding four types of cancer Those cancers include Breast, Colon, Prostate, and Cervical cancers “We satisfy this goal by conducting quarterly lunch and learn series throughout the metro Atlanta area or as often as they are requested, FOR FREE!” Robin also celebrates 10 years of accomplishing that as well as the 2nd part of her mission: helping cancer diagnosed college students and their families by awarding scholarships annually and those high school seniors diagnosed with cancer and have been accepted to college with dreams of their own We also assist those students whose parent or an immediate family member has cancer and need financial assistance Visit www.robinlatimorefoundation.org for more information