On July 6, 2010, I had a 4.5 hour dinner with hip-hop superstar Ludacris.  I won this opportunity by bidding in a silent auction hosted by The AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta (ARCA).  ARCA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV through clinical trials and other programs.  As part of Ludacris’ major support for ARCA’s 20^th Annual Uncork-A-Cure event that was held on April 29^th, 2010, Ludacris donated “Dinner with Ludacris” as a silent auction item to help raise money for ARCA’s tireless efforts.  The 20^th Annual Uncork-A-Cure event unfolds as a fabulous evening of wine tasting, fantastic food, silent auction and more.  

The dinner occurred at Ludacris’ Atlanta restaurant STRAITS (Official Host Committee Sponsor for ARCA’s Uncork-A-Cure) and began with Ludacris thanking my daughter Vogue and me for having dinner with him.  Within minutes, "Luda" made us both feel at ease assuring us that he wanted to spend time getting to know us as much as he wanted us to have the opportunity to get to know him.  We talked about everything from music and movies, fatherhood and parenting, his dreams for future endeavors and more.  Ludacris was extremely assessable; more than probably most superstars will allow, a great conversationalist and generous with his time.  He went above and beyond his commitment to ARCA and his honoring of the “Dinner with Ludacris” silent auction donation.  I have been fortunate to have met a few celebrity folks in my life, but surely this dinner with Ludacris will go down as one of the best celebrity meetings I’ve ever experienced.