Jazz Under the Stars KENNY LATTIMORE PRESENTS
Featuring
Saturday|May 2, 2026|7:00PM
CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY
Harkness Hall Quadrangle
223 James P. Brawley Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30314
THE CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY GUILD
WELCOMES YOU TO THE
Celebrating 30 Years
Featuring the Incomparable
KENNY LATTIMORE
2025 Jazz Under the Stars with Eric Roberson
The President
May 2, 2026
Greetings,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 30th
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 30th Annual Jazz Under the Scholarship Benefit Concert, a milestone celebration of three decades of excellence, community, and transformative support for our scholars.
I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the members of the Clark Atlanta University Guild for their unwavering commitment to this distinguished tradition. Your exceptional contributions have been instrumental in advancing our mission and empowering the talented scholars we serve.
Since its founding by the esteemed Judge Brenda Hill Cole, former First Lady of Clark Atlanta University, the Guild has raised over $2.6 million, providing transformative financial assistance to CAU scholars pursuing degrees in the performing arts, creative writing, drama, film, and music. For three decades, Jazz Under the Stars has celebrated the intersection of artistic excellence and philanthropic impact, establishing itself as a cornerstone of our community.
I am delighted to announce that the celebrated Kenny Lattimore will grace our stage as this year headliner. As we mark this 30th anniversary, we aim to surpass our goal to further support our arts scholars.
On behalf of the CAU Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and scholars, I extend my sincere appreciation for your presence this evening and for your invaluable investment in the future of our scholars.
Regards,
George T. French, Jr. Ph.D. President
Founding Chair
Greetings
Dear Sponsors, Clark Atlanta Family and Friends,
I am grateful for your attending this signature event of the Clark Atlanta University Guild , Jazz Under the Stars. Thank you for your generous support over 34 years. The dedicated members of the Guild have made this evening possible and we are excited to present the amazing artist, Kenny Lattimore, and our talented CAU students. Since our founding 34 years ago, we have raised over $ 2.6 million in scholarships for Clark Atlanta University scholars of the arts, in collaboration with donors like you. Congratulations to the Guild officers and members for your loyal and dedicated work.
Sincere thanks to our sponsors and all our guests for your generous support to ensure we meet our mission of offering scholarships to deserving students in the disciplines of art, fashion, design, theatre, film, and mass media art television at Clark Atlanta University - ONE EXCEPTIONAL UNIVERSITY!
Fondly,
Brenda H. Cole Founding Chairperson
Clark Atlanta University Guild
The Chair
CAU GUILD OFFICERS
SONDRA BROOKS
Chair
BILLETTE D. OWENS ASHFORD
1st Vice Chair
TVESA RICKS
2nd Vice Chair
MAE RANSOM
Corresponding Secretary
PAMELA LEWIS
Assistant Corresponding
Secretary
JERICA CRESWELL
Recording Secretary
SERESSA ALLEN
Assistant Recording Secretary
JANET BOYD
Treasurer
LASHAWN JACKSON
Financial Secretary
JACKIE BROADUS
Budget
JANE ROSS MOSLEY
Member at Large
JENNIFER LUCAS
Parliamentarian
BRENDA COLE
Founder
Greetings,
Dear Friends,
Welcome to Jazz Under the Stars 2026! This year, we proudly celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Jazz Under the Stars three decades of impact, excellence, and unwavering commitment to students in the arts at Clark Atlanta University. What began as a vision has grown into a legacy of opportunity that continues to transform lives.
Since 1992, the Guild has remained dedicated to supporting CAU students pursuingtudies in the arts. Thanks to the genesrosity of our sponsors, guests, and members, we have raised over $4 million, with $2.6 million directly awarded in scholarships. I extend heartfelt appreciation to our Founder, Judge Brenda Hill Cole, and to the founding members of the Guild. Your vision continues to inspire us. To our current members, thank you for another remarkable year of dedication, service, and going above and beyond in support of our mission.
Thank you all for making this milestone year so meaningful. As we celebrate 30 years of impact, I am confident that, together, we will continue to expand our reach and create even greater opportunities for the students we serve.
With gratitude, Sondra Brooks
Sondra Brooks Chair, Clark Atlanta University Guild
Jazz Under the Stars
Program
Historical Video
Mistress of Ceremony
Angela Bowers Thomas, CAU Guild, CC ‘97
Moment of Inspiration & Song
Rev. Tonya L. Miles, D.Ed. Min. CAU GUILD, CAU Dean, Office of Spiritual Life and Engagement
Amiya Crockrom, CAU Guild, CAU ‘21, ‘23
Welcome
Dr. George French, Jr., President, Clark Atlanta University
Greetings
Sondra Brooks, CAU Guild Chair, CC’81, AU’85
Honoring Our Founders, Founding Members, Staff & Scholarship Alumni
Billette D. Owens Ashford, CAU Guild 1st Vice Chair, CC ‘81
Performance
CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY JAZZ VOCAL ENSEMBLE
Garnetta Penn, Director, CAU’92
Giving Impact
Tversa Ricks, CAU Guild, 2nd Vice Chair, CAU ‘05, ‘15
Featured Artist
Grammy Nominated
KENNY LATTIMORE
Featured Artist
KENNY LATTIMORE
With a career spanning over two decades, highlighted by his breakthrough single "Never Too Busy" and the wedding staple "For You," Kenny is an inductee of the National R&B Hall of Fame, has received Grammy and Soul Train Award nominations, Top 10 singles, Top 20 R&B albums and an NAACP Image Award for Best New Artist, while staying sincere about giving his heart and soul to communities through music.
The Washington DC native dazzles audiences with an unprecedented range influenced by his classical, jazz, and gospel upbringing. Kenny is famous for delivering just the right dose of classic crooning, exceptional runs and authentic emotion. His nuanced vocals have graced projects by a diverse array of artists from Musiq Soulchild and Rachelle Ferrell to Nancy Wilson and Brian Culbertson. This prestigious list also includes Kanye West, who sampled Lattimore's "Lately" for he track "I'm In It" from West's #1 album Yeezus. He has placed a distinctive stamp on classic songs recorded by musical icons as Donny Hathaway and The Beatles, transformed Christmas standards, and created musical magic on iconic movie soundtracks like Love Jones, Best Man and Disney's Lion King II Simba's Pride. Recently Lattimore's "Days Like This" song was featured in "The Last Dance" - the 1 O part Emmy Award winning documentary about the career of baseball legend Michael Jordan who listened to Lattimore's music as he prepared for the NBA Finals.
Kenny Lattimore's recording legacy includes the critically acclaimed albums, "From The Soul Of Man," "Timeless" and "Anatomy of a Love Song," which produced the Top 1 O single "Love Me Back." While "A Kenny Lattimore Christmas" earned a Stellar Award nomination for 'Event CD of the Year,' Lattimore's ninth solo studio album "Vulnerable" produced another Top 10 hit, "Stay on Your Mind." His hit single Take A Dose, was also a #1 Billboard hit.
Kenny is a humanitarian who uses his life and platform as a tool to inspire others to pursue excellence and elevate positive conversation about art, culture, family and faith.
Lattimore continues to tour globally, showcasing his unique creative journey through stunning and diverse set lists. To keep up with Kenny's music, tours, and merchandise visit his website.
www,kennylattimore.com, follow him on lnstagram, and Twitter @KennyLattimore and Facebook @officialkennylattimore.
The New York Times calls him a "modern soul man" on stage.
MISTRESS OF CEREMONY
Angela Bowers, Thomas a proud member of the CAU Women’s Guild and Class of 1997 alumna, is honored to serve as tonight’s Mistress of Ceremonies. Dur ing her time at Clark Atlanta University, Angela led as President of the CAU Players theatre group, where her passion for theatre and communications was deeply nurtured under the guidance of the legendary Professor Gary Yates and the late Carol Mitchell Leon. Angela holds a special connection to the Women’s Guild, having performed in its very first production, An Evening of Shakespeare with Charles Dutton. Tonight, serving as Mistress of Ceremonies for Jazz Under the Stars marks a meaningful full-circle moment in her journey. Professionally, Angela is a dedicated public servant with a longstanding ca reer in government. She currently serves the City of Atlanta as the Director of Disability Access and ADA Compliance, championing accessibility and in clusion for all residents, employees, and visitors. Outside of her professional and hosting roles, Angela finds joy in music, family, travel, making memories, and spending time with her sweet dog, Austell. She extends her heartfelt thanks to the CAU Women’s Guild for the honor of hosting tonight’s wonderful affair. Enjoy the show!
Acknowledgements Angela Bowers Thomas
American Systems, Inc. dba Simon Sign Systems
Atlanta Golf Carts Rental LLC
C&W Services
CAU TV
CAU Guild
Clark Atlanta University
Coca-Cola Bottling United
Curtis McDowell Professional
Gay-linn E. Gatewood-Jasho
LAZ Parking
Minuteman Press, Fayetteville, Ga.
Quest Events
Reddy Ice
Sodexo
Southern EMS
True Productions
About the Guild
Mission
The mission of the Clark Atlanta University Guild (CAU) is to support scholarships for student in art, music, film, fashion, theater, and mass media arts.
Purpose
The purpose of the Clark Atlanta University Guild is to develop a diverse group of volunteer women who will commit their time and resources to build awareness of the University’s art music, theatre, film, and mass media arts programs. Specifically, the Guild will actively raise scholarships funds for students participating in the art, music, theatre and film at the university. While there may be several events in which financial support will be solicited, the Guild’s primary fundraising event is its annual “Jazz Under the Stars” concert which has cumulated into raising over $3.5 million dollars for CAU students.
CAU Guild Founding
Judge Brenda Hill Cole
First Lady and Founding President
STAFF
Getchel Caldwell
Associate Vice President Institutional
Advancement and Campaign Director
Mable Williams, Major Gifts Director
James Patterson, Director CAU Jazz Orchestra
Glynn Halsey, Director, Jazz Ensemble
Toni O’ Neal Mosely Director University Relations
Vivian Dixon, Director of Special Events
Chris Allen, Asst. Director of Special Events
Founding Chairperson
Curtis McDowell, University Photographer
Maria Henry, University Print Shop
Gloria Bivins, Administrative Assistant
University Facilities Operations
University Dining and Catering Services
University Police Safety Department
BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPRESENTATION
Brenda Tolliver (Board of Trustees)
Carolyn McClain Young (Board of Trustees)
Mary Ware (CC and CAU Chairman of the Board Spouse)
Wilma Cordy (AU Chairman and CAU Co-Chairman Board Spouse) Chair, Sponsorship Committee
Founding Members
Brenda Hill Cole Co Chairpersons
Jeanne Bowden and Mary Ware
Billye Suber Aaron
Becky Aggrey
Juliette T. Amey
Marilyn Arrington
Joyce Bacote
Juanita Baranco
Gwendolyn Campbell
Cindy Chandler
Gwendolyn Coleman
Wilma Cordy
Kathleen Cowart
Frankie Cove
Mary Pat Crouch
Jill Dahlberg
Thomasina Daugherty
Glenda Davis
Pamela Pryor Fuller
Nancy Hall Green
Clemmie Hatchett
Dorothye C. Henderson
Phyllis J. Holeman
Irie Jenkins
Ingrid Saunders Jones
Vivian Jones
Carol Mitchell Leon
Lillian Lewis
Evelyn Lowery
Ruby Lucas
Stephanie Manis
Nancy McGuirk
Amanda Brown Olmstead
Rose Palmer
Laura Dorsey Rains
Brenda Rambeau
Ida Ross
Romy Rupnow
Bobbie Sanford
Helen Preston Tapp
Brenda J. Tolliver
Janis L. Ware
Maxine Wilkins
Carolyn McClain Young
Sonjia Young
Current CAU Guild Members
Danette Adams
Melissa Adams
Seressa Allen
Tracey Allen
Juliette Amey
Marilyn Arrington
Jessalyn Askew
Sherry Austin
Mary Bailey
Jacqueline Baker
Katrina Barnum-Scott
Angela Bowers
Janet Boyd
Brenda Bridges-Ward
Jackie Broadus
Sondra Brooks
Linda Brown
Gloria Bulloch
Gwendolyn Campbell
Sarita Cathcart-McLarin
Brenda Cole
Betty Jo Cooke
Jerica Creswell
Amiya Crockrom
Kimberly Culp
Angela Davis
Gwen Ellis
Alfreda Evan
Joyce Flournoy
Arnice Foster
Ernestine Garey
Gay-linn Gatewood-Jasho
Alexa Henderson
Dorothye Henderson
Markesha Henderson
Kim Hodge
Ivy Huff
Jacqueline Jackson
LaShawn Jackson
Jelyne Jenkins
Vickie Johnson
Adrienne Lawrence
Melynee Leftridge
Pamela Lewis
Jennifer Lucas
Tonya Miles
Elnetta Mitchell
Jane Mosley
Yvonne Moss
Rosalyn Murphy
Billette D. Owens-Ashford
Rose Palmer
Pamela Perkins
Cherise Peters
Ernestine Pickens-Glass
Mae Ransom
Jamyee C. Pleasant
Michelle Rhodes
Tversa Ricks
Peggy Ross
Lorri Saddler
Chelsea Scarlett
LaTanya Stallworth-Ali
Julia Stewart-Stackhaus
Theopia Tate
Alfreda Thompson
Jacque Thornton
Maudette Twyman
Tina-Marie Tyler-Head
Ashley Tyson
Alma Vinyard
Barbara Ward-Groves
Casina Washington
Victoria Washington
Carol Wesley
Tameka West-Bernard
Joy White
Pam Wilkes
Barbara Williams
Gail Williams
Tonya Malone-Williams
Gina Wyatt
Carolyn Young
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
BILLYE SUBER AARON
BARANCO FAMILY FUND
RICK AND KESHA ROBINSON
AMBASSADOR ANDREW YOUNG AND CAROLYN YOUNG
Mrs. Billye S. Aaron Congratulates
ND EDUCATOR
IVERSITY GUILD
Jazz Under the Stars
Congratulations and Best Wishes to the CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY GUILD on hosting
The 2026 Jazz Under the Stars.
We proudly support the CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY GUILD’S Scholarship Program for the students in the Arts.
ANDREW & CAROLYN YOUNG
Silver Sponsors
CONGRATULATION TO THE CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY GUILD ON
JAZZ UNDER THE STARS
30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Bronze Sponsors
522 CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC
JULIETTE T. AMEY
ASHFORD DENTAL
SAM BURSTON
CLARK ATLANTA ATHLETIC BOOSTER ASSOCIATION
CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
JUDGE BRENDA HILL COLE
CROWNMARK WEALTH ADVISORS
GAY-LINN GATEWOOD-JASHO
SUSAN GIBSON
ALUMNA KATIE KNOWLIN
GREGORY AND DEBRA MORRISON
ROSE PALMER
Juliette T. Amey Salutes
THE CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY GUILD
On 30 Years of
Jazz Under The Stars
Clark Atlanta Athletics Booster Association, Inc. Congratulates the CAU Guild on 30 Years of Excellence
pride. Your legacy of service and impact continues to inspire
The purpose of the Booster Club is to provide support to the athletic programs at CAU.
Jazz Under the Stars
Congratulations
CAU GUILD FROM
GREGORY AND DEBRA MORRISON
552 CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
CAU GUILD
2026 JAZZ UNDER THE STARS
30th Anniversary
BRENDA WALKER
Clark Atlanta University Trustee, Clark College, 19751975
