Events
Celebrate with us at the first annual Night of Stars Essay and Speech Competition, where you’ll enjoy dinner, youth-led entertainment, and a live speech competition as judges select the winner of our Center-wide contest. Proceeds benefit The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta Youth Centers. Help make a difference for the youth in Atlanta!
Night of Stars
Thurs., April 23, 2026
Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center
6:30 p.m.
This contest represents the culmination of months of hard work by our Youth Center members. Each finalist had to write an essay sharing their personal story and worked closely with mentors to refine and perfect their speech. Next, they will deliver their speech in front of a live panel of judges, including Atlanta-based actress Schelle Purcell, at the Night of Stars banquet in the hope of being selected this year’s “Star”. Purcell is recognized for her breakout performance as "Gloria, The Landlord" in Tyler Perry's STRAW on Netflix.
Schelle Purcell, Celebrity Judge
In addition to being part of the 2026 NAACP Image Award-winning cast of STRAW, Purcell also played the recurring role of 'Adeline Loggins' in the NAACP Image Award-winning series Women of the Movement (ABC/HULU).
Purcell’s resume includes appearances in many popular TV series like All The Queens Men (S5), Found, Atlanta, The Big Door Prize, as well as a role in the Amazon film The Underdoggs. She has also starred in leading roles in TUBI Originals, such as Hot Girl Winter (with Golden Brooks) and Twisted House Sitter 2.
In 2025, Purcell completed leading and supporting roles in three independent films (A Rose Through Cancer, Camp Duval, and Unveil) and played ‘Esther Johnson’ in the play I’ve Cried the Blues at the Warner Theater in Washington, D.C.
She was a Special Speaker at the 2025 Essence Festival’s Hollywood House and at the 2025 Women in Harmony Luncheon in New Orleans. Purcell received a VIP invitation to Ghana to present the first award named in her honor, The Schelle Purcell Creative Arts Award 2025, at the International Ladies High Tea & Awards.
Beyond acting, Purcell is the CEO and Founder of "On Your Feet," a non-profit organization assisting teen parents with planned parenthood support and career placement. She is also an entrepreneur, having created "Southern Girl Savors," her line of handcraft infused salts.
Sponsorships are available. Click here for more information about becoming a sponsor or to purchase a ticket.
Thank You to our Sponsors!
Title Sponsor
Star Sponsor
Charlie Smith Sponsor
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