A3C and ChooseATL hosted their 3rd annual ‘Welcome to ATL’ reception today (Oct. 4)  honoring Wyclef Jean, Jermaine Dupri and Rodney Carmichael with awards for their impact of the hiphop community.

More than 250 guests gathered at the Loudermilk Conference Center to celebrate the guest of honor while also enjoying southern cuisine, crafted cocktails and live music by The Nourishment.

A3C Director and Partner, Mike Walbert and ChooseATL Executive Director, Kate Atwood, opened up the evening with welcoming remarks, then late the event MC’s, Royce Babble and Bria Janelle opened for the awards ceremony.

Media maven and longtime producer of Combat Jack’s radio show, A-King, presented Rodney Carmichael with the Combat Jack Storyteller Award. Music manager and executive Madeline Nelson presented Wyclef Jean, with the Social Impact Award for his efforts in Haiti.

The ceremony was concluded with legendary producer and DJ, Bryan Michael Cox honoring Jermaine Dupri with the Cultural Icon Award, and an impromptu performance by Wyclef, rapping lyrics to his hit song with the Fugees – “Fu Gee La.”

“It was a special night for A3C and the city of Atlanta,” says Mike Walters. “We have to highlight and pay respect to the trailblazers in our culture, or we’ll lose sight of how we got here and where we need to go.”

The A3C Festival & Conference will be taking place in Atlanta all week. To learn more visit www.a3cfestival.com

All photos taken by: DV Photography