ESSENCE & Southern Company hosted An Evening of Excellence—a special awards reception held in conjunction with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) to commemorate the achievements of today’s most influential politicians and architects of change. An esteemed list of Washington’s “who’s who” were among the more than 500 hundred guests that convened at the Reagan International Trade Center to pay homage to the groundbreaking accomplishments of today’s leading Black activists, pioneers and public servants.
“Access Hollywood” cohost Shaun Robinson hosted the evening’s festivities.
Christopher C. Womack, Southern Company President, External Affairs, guest; Robert M. Franklin, Jr., Morehouse College President and winner of the Hope Award; and ESSENCE President Michelle Ebanks strike a pose for the cameras.
Dr. Henry Panion III, musician, activist and winner of the Civic & Cultural Advancement Award, and guest.
Guest and actress/comedienne Kim Whitley (that’s President and CEO of BET Debra Lee in the background).
Attendee and HOT 97 radio personality Angie Martinez.
ESSENCE President Michelle Ebanks and Southern Company President, External Affairs, Christopher C. Womack.
Suzanne Malveaux, CNN Washington Correspondent and winner of the Journalist of the Year Award; The Honorable Congresswoman Barbara Lee, CBC Chairwoman and winner of the Advocate Award; and Malveaux’s sister.
Guest and actress Malinda Williams.
U.S. Congressman Artur Davis (AL).
DJ D-Nice spins at the after-party (the 90’s set was amazing).
Congresswoman Barbara Lee addresses the crowd.
Suzanne Malveaux, CNN Washington correspondent and winner of the Journalist of the Year Award.
The Honorable Congresswoman Barbara Lee, CBC chairwoman and winner of the Advocate Award, and guest.
Southern Company President, External Affairs, Christopher C. Womack; guest; Patricia Smith; and her husband, retired NFL star Emmitt Smith.
ESSENCE President Michelle Ebanks; Dr. Henry Panion III, musician/activist (Civic & Cultural Advancement Award); “Access Hollywood” cohost Shaun Robinson; Dr. Robert M. Franklin, Jr., Morehouse College President (Hope Award); ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt-Murray; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Baranco Automotive Group and Board Director of Southern Company Juanita Baranco; Southern Company President, External Affairs, Christopher C. Womack.
Multiplatinum recording artist, songwriter and musician Raphael Saadiq gave an enthralling performance.
Actress and comedienne Kim Whitley.
Retired NFL star Emmitt Smith and his wife, Patricia Smith.
Actress Malinda Williams.
The Honorable Congresswoman Barbara Lee, CBC Chairwoman and winner of the Advocate Award.
Guests at ESSENCE & Southern Company’s “Evening of Excellence.”
