Essence and Southern Company teamed up during this year’s Congressional Black Caucus to continue the celebration of the magazine’s 40th anniversary and to honor those that have made tremendous community impact by advocating causes near and dear to their hearts.
During an elegant evening affair held at Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Building, Judge Glenda Hatchett (for her work with children), Warrick Dunn (for providing housing for struggling single moms), Rodney and Holly Robinson Peete (for work with autism and Alzheimer’s disease), and Shelia Johnson (for work with HIV/AIDS in D.C.) were all feted with a video presentation of their works and an Advocacy Award.
Each recipient was introduced and presented his/her award by a close associate. Those presenters, distinguished in their own right, were Congressman John Lewis, D-Ga.; Terry Ellis of En Vogue, who later took the stage to perform with best-selling girl quartet En Vogue; and Essence Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt-Murray. Also in the building were Cathy Hughes, Isaiah Washington, Niecy Nash and a host of others from the political and entertainment arenas.
Hosted by CNN’s Richelle Carey, the program opened with former USDA worker Shirley Sherrod delivering a heartfelt speech about her experience with racial injustice and recent trials that have brought her national attention. Her passionate words set the tone for recognizing the spirit of giving that the Advocacy Award honorees possess. After the presentations, En Vogue closed the first half of the evening with a high-energy ten-song set, including a medley of R&B classics that brought the guests to their well-heeled feet.
The second half of the “reception” wasn’t quite as dignified and stuffy.
DC will find a way to bring dignity to any affair, calling gatherings surrounding inaugurations “balls” and those surrounding caucuses “receptions.” It’s a party, folks, and as soon as it was time for the hair to come down, the ties to loosen and the political posturing to subside, it was on and poppin’. Guests left the atrium where the program was held and made their way straight to the bar, the food and the parquet dance floor, as the DJ toured us through hits of the ’80s, ’90s and today – even throwing in an old school house segment. It’s always a thrill to watch calculated bourgeoisie fade to good old-fashioned, party folks!
To party, er, host a reception with a cause is always a good thing — and they did just that.
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