by Fred Willis | Sep 3, 2016 | Celebrity, Film, Politics
Ceremony Also Presents Next Generation Artists
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) announced that legendary actors Cicely Tyson, Richard Roundtree, and music icon Dionne Warwick will accept awards for their lifetime achievements in the arts during the 20th Annual Celebration of Leadership in the Fine Arts. The awards ceremony, which will take place Sept. 14 at the Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F Street NW in Washington, D.C. from 8:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., is organized in cooperation with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Spouses Visual and Performance Arts Scholarship program. This event will mark the start of the CBCF’s 46th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), one of the nation’s leading public policy conferences.
“With a lifetime of entertaining and educating us, this year’s honorees have also distinguished themselves as remarkable leaders and passionate advocates for the arts and arts education,” said CBCF president and CEO A. Shuanise Washington. “Their outstanding contributions and continuing commitment to the arts make them ideal to help elevate the visibility of the CBC Spouses Visual and Performance Arts Scholarship Program. The awards are conferred on artists whose legacy includes not only extraordinary works but a commitment to cultivating future generations of artists.”
Since 1996, the Celebration of Leadership in the Fine Arts has raised funds to support the CBC Spouses Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship Fund. Twenty scholarships are awarded annually to highly qualified students pursuing undergraduate degrees in the arts, based on their creative talent, academic excellence, financial need and community service. Two of this year’s scholarship recipients, vocalist Lindsey Reynolds, and Justin Syas, a pianist, will perform during the event.
“We have supported arts education for 20 years through the Celebration of Leadership in the Fine Arts, during a time when arts education has decreased in many schools,” said Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, a CBC Spouse and chair of the Celebration of Leadership in the Fine Arts. “We will continue to highlight the contributions of great artists while raising money to support aspiring scholarship recipients as it reinforces the importance of art and its impact in our communities.”
The sponsors for this year’s Celebration of Leadership in the Fine Arts include Union Pacific Corporation, as the title sponsor, Heineken USA, ASPiRE and UP TV.
ABOUT ALC:
The ALC is the leading policy conference on issues impacting African Americans and the global black community. The conference features more than 70 public policy forums on health, education, economic empowerment, the environment, and more. Signature events include the National Town Hall, Celebration of Leadership in Fine Arts, Community Breakfast and Health Fair, Gospel Extravaganza, Black Party, Prayer Breakfast, and the culminating event, the Phoenix Awards Dinner.
This year’s theme, “Defining the Moment, Building the Movement,” will highlight social and political moments in American history that define the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.
To register for the ALC, visit www.cbcfinc.org/alc. Sign up to receive the e-newsletter and follow the CBCF on social media using hashtag, #CBCFALC16 for updates.
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SOURCE Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.
by Fred Willis | Sep 3, 2016 | National News, Politics
Event to Honor Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton, U.S. Representatives Charles B. Rangel and Marcia L. Fudge, Business Magnate and Philanthropist Robert F. Smith, and Emanuel A.M.E. Church in honor of the “Emanuel Nine” for their strong commitment and contributions to improve the well-being of African-American communities through their leadership and service
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) today announced that President Barack Obama will deliver his seventh and final keynote address at its 46th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) Phoenix Awards Dinner. The event is scheduled for 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The evening’s co-emcees will beTrevor Noah, host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, and actress Sanaa Lathan, who has a new show premiering this fall on FOX. Honorary co-chairs of this year’s conference are U.S. Representatives Karen Bass of California and Lacy Clay of Missouri.
“President Obama is our nation’s most influential and demonstrable voice. We are honored to have him speak at the Phoenix Awards dinner,” said R. Donahue Peebles, chairman of the CBCF board of directors. “In the face of great challenges, his historic two terms in office have strengthened America’s resolve to close the persistent gaps between the daily realities and the actual well-being and security of African Americans.”
The Phoenix Award is the CBCF’s highest honor, presented to individuals whose extraordinary achievements strengthen communities and improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities, nationally and globally.
“We are extremely proud of the leadership, civic engagement and commitment shown by this year’s honorees—and salute their efforts to promote empowerment and respect for and among all people,” said CBCF president and CEO, A. Shuanise Washington. “Our honorees embody the foundation’s 40-year commitment to raise awareness and address the challenges African Americans face every day in education, health care, minority business development and entrepreneurship.”
This year’s distinguished honorees are as follows:
- Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton will receive the inaugural Trailblazer Award, in recognition of becoming the first woman presidential nominee of a major party in the United States and her remarkable contributions to the nation. The Trailblazer Award recognizes a leader who is the first, in his or her chosen field, to make a global or national groundbreaking achievement and whose vision, perseverance and lifework has created opportunities for African Americans and minorities.
- U.S. Representative Charles B. Rangel will receive the first-ever Congressional Black Caucus Founder’s Award, recognizing his leadership as a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and his unparalleled contributions to the nation.
- U.S. Representative Marcia L. Fudge will receive the Barbara Jordan Award in recognition of her exceptional public service and long-standing commitment to improving social and economic conditions for the people of Ohio and the nation.
- Robert F. Smith, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Vista Equity Partners, will receive theCBCF Chair’s Award for his outstanding contributions as an investor and entrepreneur, and for his long-standing commitment to improving the social conditions of communities around the world.
- Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church will receive the Congressional Black Caucus Chair’s Award in honor of the “Emanuel Nine” for their extraordinary strength and courage in the face of adversity.
The Phoenix Awards Dinner is the primary fundraising event for the CBCF, a 501©3, non-partisan, nonprofit, educational and research institute. This black-tie event showcases the CBCF’s education and leadership programs, and provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding individuals who make humanitarian contributions to society. To purchase tickets to the dinner and to register for the ALC, visit cbcfinc.org/alc.
ABOUT ALC:
The ALC is the leading policy conference on issues impacting African Americans and the global black community. The conference features more than 70 public policy forums on health, education, economic empowerment, the environment, and more. Signature events include the National Town Hall, Celebration of Leadership in Fine Arts, Community Breakfast and Health Fair, Gospel Extravaganza, Black Party, Prayer Breakfast, and the culminating event, the Phoenix Awards Dinner.
This year’s theme, “Defining the Moment, Building the Movement,” will highlight social and political moments in American history that define the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.
Sign up to receive the e-newsletter and follow the CBCF on social media using hashtag, #CBCFALC16 for updates.
Twitter: twitter.com/cbcfinc
Facebook: facebook.com/CBCFInc
Instagram: instagram.com/cbcfinc
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/congressional-black-caucus-foundation
Google+: google.com/+CBCFIncorg
YouTube: youtube.com/user/CBCFINC
SOURCE: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.
by Fred Willis | Sep 3, 2016 | Gospel, Lifestyle
Grammy, Dove and Stellar award winner-Tasha Cobbs. @2015 SoulProsper Media Group
Grammy award-winning singer Tasha Cobbs will headline the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) Annual Prayer Breakfast during the CBCF’s 46th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). International faith leader and senior pastor Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale, of the Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Ga., will deliver the keynote message. The breakfast is scheduled on Sept. 17 from 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Reps. Lacy Clay and Karen Bass are the 2016 honorary co-chairs for ALC.
“The Prayer Breakfast is an opportunity to recalibrate and celebrate the CBCF and our mission, which has guided and inspired our efforts for 40 years,” said CBCF president and chief executive officer A. Shuanise Washington. “For more than 30 years, the CBCF has hosted this breakfast during the ALC—as a time to reflect about some of the most pressing issues facing our community. We are grateful for the many years of support from our title sponsor, The Coca-Cola Company, who shares our mission of inspiring future African-American leaders.”
“We support the CBCF’s work to empower the African-American community because we know that it not only has an impact today, but also on our leaders of tomorrow,” said Lori George Billingsley, vice president, Community Relations, Coca-Cola North America.
Tasha Cobbs, who rose to the top of the charts in 2012 with her debut hit single, “Break Every Chain,” is a multiple Grammy, Dove and Stellar award-winning artist. In 2015, Cobbs released her sophomore album, “One Place Live,” and charted number one on Billboard’s Gospel and Christian Albums charts.
“I am honored to have been selected to deliver my musical ministry to this multi-generational audience,” saidTasha Cobbs. “The Congressional Black Caucus represents a sea of change that our ancestors would be proud to see how far we have come.”
Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. She has served in the ministry for 36 years and has been recognized by the African American Biographies Hall of Fame, the Martin Luther King Board of Preaches of Morehouse College, and the National Urban League.
“It is my honor to share a message of hope, of perseverance, and of triumph,” said Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale in anticipation of speaking to the more than 3,000 attendees expected to participate in the breakfast.
Other clergy participating in the program include Rev. Ronald Bobo from the West Side Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis, Mo., and Imam Talib Shareef from the Nation’s Mosque in Washington, DC. Additional musical ministry will be provided by the Royal Priesthood Choir of the Alfred Street Baptist Church fromAlexandria, Va.
Proceeds from the Prayer Breakfast benefit the CBCF’s fellowship, internship, scholarship and research programs—and the foundation’s efforts to eliminate disparities in the African-American community. To purchase tickets to the breakfast and to register for the ALC, visit cbcfinc.org/alc16.
To register for the ALC, visit cbcfinc.org/alc. For media registration or if you are a member of the media seeking credentials to events for reporting purposes, please visit http://bit.ly/2bGo3Dr.
ABOUT ALC
The ALC is the leading policy conference on issues impacting African Americans and the global black community. The conference features nearly 100 public policy forums on health, education, economic empowerment, the environment, and more. Signature events and features include the National Town Hall, Celebration of Leadership in Fine Arts, Community Breakfast and Health Fair, Gospel Extravaganza, Black Party, Prayer Breakfast, Exhibit Showcase, and the culminating event, the Phoenix Awards Dinner.
This year’s theme, “Defining the Moment, Building the Movement,” will highlight social and political moments in American history that define the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.
Sign up to receive the e-newsletter and follow the CBCF on social media using hashtag, #CBCFALC16 for updates.
Twitter: twitter.com/CBCFInc
Facebook: facebook.com/CBCFInc
Instagram: instagram.com/CBCFInc
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/congressional-black-caucus-foundation
Google: google.com/+CBCFInc
YouTube: youtube.com/user/CBCFInc
ABOUT THE CBCF
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF), established in 1976, is a non-partisan, nonprofit, public policy, research and educational institute, committed to advancing the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy and educating the public.
SOURCE: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.
