Mayor Shirley Franklin was among the outstanding honorees at the 13th Annual Trumpet Awards held in Atlanta yesterday. The Trumpet Awards highlight the accomplishments of African-Americans in politics, law, public service and entertainment. The award program was created by former Turner Broadcasting Executive Xernona Clayton.

The Awards were held at the Georgia World Congress Center. City Council President Lisa Borders was also present. “I think it is great that Mayor Franklin is receiving an award. She is simply the best mayor in the world and now the rest of the world gets to find out what we already know.”

Other award recipients were: Nancy Wilson, song stylist and recording artist; Beyoncé Knowles, musician, songwriter and actress; Dick Gregory, civil rights activist, comedian and author; Venus and Serena Williams, tennis stars; Joe Louis Dudley, entrepreneur, philanthropist and author; Dennis Archer, former Detroit mayor and Michigan Supreme Court Justice; Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr.; Bishop T.D. Jakes; Bishop Eddie Long; Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie; The Honorable Michael Misick, Chief Minister from Turks & Caicos Islands; Donald Young, Jr., tennis player and Father Theodore M. Hesburgh, President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame.