“I wanted to do something that was upscale and showcase celebrities who are giving back,” says Lisa Stroud, organizer of The Atlanta Celeb Fest Weekend taking place August 15-17, 2014. “There are really a lot of African American celebrities who are doing great things that should be acknowledged.”
An end-of-the-summer extravaganza, Atlanta Celeb Fest is touted as a three-day weekend packed with four “events with a purpose” including a fashion show with amazing designers including The Wilbourn Sisters, Trina Turk, Chico’s, and White House Black Market. There’s also a concert featuring the Jacksons. This is going to be a “quality event and everyday we are giving back to a charity,” says Stroud, who hailed from Louisiana via Dallas, Texas.
Celebrities who will be in attendance include The Blind Side star Quinton Aaron, Danny Glover, the Jacksons, Demetria McKinney and many others.
Stroud’s team is hosting Quinton Aaron’s 30th birthday party in conjunction with the Atlanta Celeb Fest kickoff and the proceeds will benefit the Quinton Aaron Foundation, which raises awareness about bullying.
Stroud encourages attendees to show off their best fashion. “When you dress up your walk is different and your attitude is different,” she said.
Having a solid career in sports and entertainment, Stroud has worked at Radio One with Steve Harvey and Rickey Smiley, both of whom she admires greatly and credits them with giving her the drive to keep moving forward. “Knowing them personally and watching them grow is inspiring,” says the modest Stroud, who has hosted President Barack Obama at her Prosper, Texas, home prior to relocating to Atlanta.
“For this season in my life, God is blessing me. We’ve been so fortunate. God prepares us. His plan for us is bigger than we imagine. I have three sons and my oldest attends Princeton University. I’ve always told them to dream big. I needed to go big with this event,” says the single mother of three sons: Marcus, Timothy (who aspires to attend Harvard) and Matthew.
The future Oprah of sports and entertainment adds, “My staff is amazing. They are degreed, ages 21 to 35, and I love being able to pour into them.”
While she pours into young professionals who desire to have a fruitful career in entertainment, Stroud credits her family, pastor and friends in North Carolina and Dallas, including Torrii Hunter and Dr. Stephen Harris, for playing a crucial role in mentoring her sons.
