On Saturday, The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) held its annual Phoenix Awards Dinner. Nine honorees were presented with the Phoenix Awards for the 2019 Annual Legislative Conference. The Phoenix Award is the highest honor presented by CBCF. This award recognizes individuals whose extraordinary achievements strengthen communities and improve the lives of individuals and families, nationally and globally.
The gala was held at the Walter E Washington Conventions Center with several of the 2020 presidential candidates in attendance including Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris and Tom Steyer. The gala was hosted by International journalist Isha Sesay and Queen Sugar’s Omar Dorsey. Grammy Award Winning Artist, Anthony Hamilton was the featured performer. Attendees were stirred to action by the comments from the Reverend Al Sharpton, one of the nights awardees.
The 2019 Phoenix Awards Honorees:
- Dr. Calvin Mackie, entrepreneur, author and professor received the CBCF Board Chair’s Award from Rep. Cedric L. Richmond.
- Dr. Wanda Austin, aeronautics and systems engineer received the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair’s Award from Rep. Karen Bass.
- Congresswoman Barbara Lee received the ALC Honorary Co-Chair’s Award from Rep. G.K. Butterfield.
- The Exonerated Five: Dr. Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, and Antron McCray, survivors of false convictions and social justice advocates received the ALC Honorary Co-Chair’s Award from Rep. Frederica Wilson.
- Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights activist, received The Harold Washington Award from the Congressional Black Caucus.
The Annual Legislative Conference is the leading policy conference on issues impacting African Americans. Lawmakers, celebrities and concerned citizens attend the annual meeting to engage in a variety of forums on health, education, economic empowerment, the environment, civic engagement and more. The ALC is the largest platform in which the CBCF delivers against its mission to help eliminate the disparities in the global black community.
About the CBCF
Established in 1976, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. 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. For more information, visit cbcfinc.org.
