There I am right smack in the middle of Atlanta Society this weekend at an engagement party and I am again grateful for running into more fantastic information. Well, one of my homies, acclaimed artist Radcliffe Bailey, is marrying screen star and author, Victoria Rowell, and I had the fortune of attending their smashing event this weekend.

It was hosted by of Coca Cola Exec Vicki Palmer in her beautiful gallery of a home in North Atlanta. My best friend and I admirably call women like her a “bad broad!” It was actually great peaking my head out of the Atlantic sea air of the South Georgia Golden Isles to attend this nice affair containing all of the good ingredients for a dashing evening => great weather, great food, a fantastic venue and vibe, and great folks all around. I just couldn’t resist going up to the mic and giving my classic toast that I’ve done for over 20 years to Vicki and my high school buddy whom for all these years I simply call Rad.

If you don’t know Rad’s work, he’s probably in your airport or in one of your buildings downtown or you may have viewed his work in your local major museum/gallery. As for Vicki, pick up her memoir The Women Who Raised Me if you don’t recall her long time roll as Drucilla on the Y&R soap along with several other movies. It was great seeing their mutual adoration for one another.

It was also great running into old high school buddies from the beloved SWATS (South West Atlanta) doing their thing, and doing well. One such is photographer and community advocate Bruce Morton. Another being Tony Owens, Director of the Foundation for Educational Success. He and his business partner have really got something going on very positive in the area of education which is particularly geared toward bridging the gap between teacher/educator/parent and student in an effective manner. Their book Faces of Change is a resource sold on their website which provides adults with tools to talk to the students rather than at them.

Tony is one of the funniest guys you could have the pleasure of standing next to at a party. Your body will thank you for the endorphin release from the incessant laughter. While huddled around having several laughs with him and others, I could only imagine his energy in their various Workshop Series [ The “IT” Factor, Developing team/School Culture, Bridge the Disconnect Between Educators and Students, etc.].

In the midst of these conversations, I think back to our idyllic Beecher Hills Elem. (Go Bees!), Southwest Middle School (Go Wolves!), and of course Benjamin E. Mays High School (Go Raiders!) days of yesteryear in Atlanta and savor the very fond memories they evoke. This is parallel processing in the background as the laughter of the conversations grounds me and reels me back into the present moment full of joyful banter with one another -- adults looking into each others’ faces of change.