The polar vortex couldn’t stop Washington, D.C.’s movers and shakers from marking the end of Black History Month 2014 in style. The Root’s D.C. insider, Nicole Venable, went behind the scenes at three events—including the one shown here, “Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Future,” featuring former and current black senators—that celebrated leadership, diversity and history.
Linking History to Future Generations
On Feb. 22 Margot James Copeland (third from left), national president of the Links, presented the Links Foundation’s fourth legacy grant to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The donation was the first from an African-American organization to the museum at the $1 million level. From left: Teree Caldwell-Johnson, director of philanthropy for the Links; Links National Vice President Glenda Newell-Harris; Copeland; founding museum Director Lonnie G. Bunch III; and Eris T. Sims, executive director of the Links.
Historic Moment
On Feb. 25 Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) hosted a panel discussion at the Library of Congress called “Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Future” with five current or former African-American U.S. senators. (There have been a total of nine in U.S. history.) The senators shared personal stories of the challenges they had attaining the office and remarked about life as an African-American senator. From left: Barry C. Black, 62nd chaplain of the U.S. Senate; former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois; former Sen. Roland Burris of Illinois; Scott; former Sen. William “Mo” Cowan of Massachusetts; and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.).
Diversity in the GOP
Former Republican House staffer Elroy Sailor (left) at the black senators’ panel discussion with his mentor former Republican Rep. J.C. Watts of Oklahoma and former Republican Senate staffer Kimani Little.
Lincoln Legacy
Former Democratic Sen. Roland Burris of Illinois, who was appointed to the seat vacated by President Barack Obama, with The Root’s D.C. insider, Nicole Venable, at the black senators’ panel discussion.
Bicameral Bridges
Former Sen. Roland Burris, former Democratic Sen. William “Mo” Cowan of Massachusetts, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) and former Democratic Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois at the black senators’ panel discussion.
A Leading Voice
On Feb. 26 A. Shuanise Washington, president and CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, provided the welcome message for the fifth annual Avoice Heritage Celebration and spoke about the need to preserve the legislative history of African Americans serving in Congress.
Island Dreaming
Steve Steele, Washington representative for the governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands; Donna Christensen, Virgin Islands delegate to Congress; and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), senior member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, at the CBCF Avoice Heritage Celebration.
New York State of Mind
Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) with the National Education Association’s Tiffany Cross during the CBCF Avoice Heritage Celebration.
A Freshman Star
Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) has already made her mark as a rising star of the congressional freshman class. She’s shown here with The Root’s D.C. insider, Nicole Venable, who served on the planning committee for the Avoice Heritage Celebration.
Celebrating Diversity and Leadership
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation gave awards to former Democratic Rep. Eva M. Clayton of North Carolina (fifth from right, with pearls and her hands crossed), Comcast NBCUniversal and the LBJ Presidential Library for their contributions to preserving the legacy of African Americans serving in Congress.
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