Puttin' On The Ritz!

At his annual Christmas Gala held at the Atlanta History Center on December 22, 2009, Upfront Megatainment CEO Devyne Stephens surprised Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta with a $300,000 check for the Hughes Spalding location.“Puttin’ on The Ritz: The Top Hat Affair,” Devyne Stephens’ 2009 Annual Christmas Gala served as the official unveiling of Stephens’ non-profit foundation, DeVyne Intervention.

Based on his strong belief that music has the universal power to heal, Stephens established DeVyne Intervention to inspire and empower young people through music and music-related initiatives developed in local hospitals, recreational centers and after school programs. Stephens’ major announcement in relation to DeVyne Intervention’s collaboration with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding was his presentation of the $300,000 for the facility.

Above: Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Donna Hyland CEO of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding; Devyne Stephens and Dough Hertz with $300,000 check. Photo Philip Shone.

With a moving speech, glamorous dance performance and plenty of celeb sightings, the event brought new excitement to this annual gathering. The evening also celebrated Stephens’ twenty years in the industry and honored him for being named the BRE 2009 Man of the Year. Puttin’ on the Ritz paid homage to the Golden Era of entertainment, and Stephens arrived in a carriage drawn by four white horses.

  Above: Donna Hyland & Guest, President, Atlanta City Council Lisa Borders andJermaine Dupri. Photos Carlos Bell