Atlanta Classic: Who needs football? Stylish tailgating at Classic

By JENNIFER BRETT, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tailgating, classic style: Hot dogs on the grill, brews in the cooler.

Tailgating, 100 Black Men of Atlanta style: Carving stations, proper silverware — and fantastic people watching.

"I don't do tailgating," said Charita Gray, among the crowd at the posh reception preceding Saturday's Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic at the Georgia Dome.

But the club-level shindig, held hours before Florida A&M and Tennessee State University took the field, suited her fine. The event featured live music, a cash bar and buffet stations with pasta, vegetables, maple-glazed turkey breast and Cajun roast beef. Some guests claimed comfy seats near a wall of televisions airing various sporting events, while others worked the crowd.

"This is absolutely the way to do it," said Cynthia Williams, vice president of resource development for the National Coalition of 100 Black Women of Atlanta, Metro Atlanta Chapter. She was seated near the keyboardist with Virginia Harris, the group's president.

Cynthia and Bobby Smith of Mableton attended as guests of former Assistant Secretary of State Terrell Slayton Jr., president-elect of 100 Black Men of Atlanta. Cynthia Smith chuckled as she contemplated the poor tailgaters having to get by without china or linen serviettes.

"They need to get in the know," she joked.

Kidding aside, of course, the Classic benefits Project Success, a mentoring program run by 100 Black Men of Atlanta that prepares young people to excel academically, professionally and in civic life.

And there's certainly nothing wrong with standard game-day fare, said a sharp-dressed Fonzworth Bentley, the former personal assistant of Sean "Diddy" Combs and author of "Advance Your Swagger: How to Use Manners, Confidence and Style to Get Ahead."

"That is the real thing, sitting outside, barbecuing, sweating," said Bentley, an Atlanta native known as Derek Watkins during his Morehouse College days. Casually elegant in blue jeans, blazer with pocket square and velvet slippers, he caught up with friends Leigh Jones and Tannis Williamson, both Clark Atlanta University alumnae.

(Yes, they both said, he was fabulous even before he became Fonzworth.)

Other notable attendees included Earl Martin and Hiram Little, both members of Atlanta chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen. Earlier in the day they participated in the Classic parade, and heads swiveled as the gents made their way through the reception crowd.

"I appreciate all the attention I get," Little said. "I'm not going to lie, I love it. Although sometimes I think it's a little overdone."

"I don't," said Martin.