Featured Stories
Spirit of Democracy Awards dinner provides networking opportunity
Mavis Baah, Reporter
Scripps Howard Foundation Wire
May 14, 2009
WASHINGTON - The 12th annual Spirit of Democracy Awards offered a chance to shake hands, rub shoulders and exchange business cards with some prominent black leaders.
Sponsored by the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, the event honored a congresswoman, an actress, a former magazine editor and a retired army sergeant.
Dennis Williams, Guernsey Office Products account executive, paid $175 for a ticket to support the award recipients, but jumped at the chance to meet some well-known guests at the party Tuesday night.
"I consider this an investment ... this is a worthwhile endeavor. But we're also supporting four glamorous, intelligent black women," Williams said.
John Glover, an account executive for Who's Who in Black Washington, D.C., said he was scoping out prospects for the latest issue of his publication. He kept an eye out for possible "D.C. influentials or anyone to do special features on or sell ad space."
Chuck Conconi, former Washington Post columnist and Washingtonian magazine editor-at-large, knows a lot about this city's social scene. He says networking is the only reason to attend Washington parties.
"If you're sitting at a table with a senator and his wife or a congressman and his wife, you don't sit there and make any kind of pitch. You get to know them, they get to know you. Then, maybe a week or two later, you need to call that senator, your chances are higher of him calling back," said Conconi, now at public relations firm Qorvis.
With prominent black activists Dorothy I. Height, Rep. Robert "Bobby" Scott, D-Va., and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, attending, the reception and gala presented a valuable networking opportunity for many.
"When you meet people socially, they have a better feeling about you than when you meet them in the office," Conconi said.
Other guests, including William Kellibrew, national coordinator for NCBCP's Black Youth Vote, and Chairman Emeritus Eddie Williams, used the dinner as a way of reuniting with old friends for a benevolent cause.
"I expect people who paid good money to have a good time and celebrate the wonderful work of this organization," Eddie Williams said.
About 250 guests attended the awards dinner, NCBCP's biggest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to various NCBCP programs, including the Black Youth Vote and the Black Women's Roundtable. Funds will also support the organization's mission to increase voter education and awareness about the importance of the census.
Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif.; Susan L. Taylor, editor-in-chief emeritus of Essence magazine; Sheryl Lee Ralph, founder of The Diva Foundation, and retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michele S. Jones received awards for their humanitarian efforts.
