President Obama to Speak at CBCF Annual Phoenix Awards Dinner on September 18th

CBC Foundation To Honor Harry Belafonte, Judith Jamison, Simeon Booker and the Honorable Sheila Y. Oliver

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) today announced that President Barack Obama will speak during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 40th Annual Legislative Conference Phoenix Awards Dinner.  The event is scheduled from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 18 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (WCC).

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In addition, four distinguished individuals will receive the prestigious Phoenix Award during the fundraiser dinner: Harry Belafonte, actor and humanitarian; Simeon Booker, renowned journalist; Judith Jamison, award winning choreographer; and the Honorable Shelia Y. Oliver, Speaker of the New Jersey State Assembly. The award's name is a tribute to the prediction of Rep. George White, the last black representative to serve in Congress until 1928. Past recipients of the award include Wyclef Jean, humanitarian, Cicely Tyson, actress, and then-Senator Barack Obama.

More than 4,000 attendees are expected to witness this year's honorees receive their awards at the ceremonial dinner. "The award is presented to those whom have made significant contributions to society, and symbolizing the immortality of the human spirit and an eternal desire to reach its full potential," said Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer for CBCF

The awards ceremony and dinner serves as the grand finale for the ALC which is scheduled from September 15-18 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The Annual Legislative Conference provides an outlet to highlight the mission of CBCF - to develop leaders, to inform policy and to educate the public. It also provides more than 80 forums to address the critical challenges facing the African-American community. "Each year, ALC offers a chance to discuss important issues facing our community," said Scott. "It also is our premier fundraising event and we thank everyone for supporting our scholarship, research and education programs."

U.S. Reps. Elijah E. Cummings of Maryland and Diane E. Watson of California are serving as honorary co-chairs of ALC.  This year's theme, "Celebrating the Vision, Continuing the Journey, Advancing the Mission" provides guidance for meeting the challenges and opportunities facing the country and present a new way forward.

To learn more about the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, visit www.cbcfinc.org.

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The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc. was established in 1976 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit, public policy, research and education institute to help improve the socioeconomic circumstances of African Americans and other underserved communities.

SOURCE Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.