ESSENCE Hosts 2009 Congressional Black Caucus Party

ESSENCE.COM Sep, 29, 2009

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An Evening to Remember

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.

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It's A Celebration

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.

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Table for Two

Dr. Henry Panion III, musician, activist and winner of the Civic & Cultural Advancement Award, and guest.

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All Smiles

Guest and actress/comedienne Kim Whitley (that’s President and CEO of BET Debra Lee in the background).

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Strike A Pose

Attendee and HOT 97 radio personality Angie Martinez.

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Making A Statement

ESSENCE President Michelle Ebanks and Southern Company President, External Affairs, Christopher C. Womack.

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Honorees

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.

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Say Cheese

Guest and actress Malinda Williams.

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Addressing the Crowd

U.S. Congressman Artur Davis (AL).

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On the 1s and 2s

DJ D-Nice spins at the after-party (the 90’s set was amazing).

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Ladies First

Congresswoman Barbara Lee addresses the crowd.

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Woman on Top

Suzanne Malveaux, CNN Washington correspondent and winner of the Journalist of the Year Award.

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Red Hot!

The Honorable Congresswoman Barbara Lee, CBC chairwoman and winner of the Advocate Award, and guest.

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The Red Carpet

Southern Company President, External Affairs, Christopher C. Womack; guest; Patricia Smith; and her husband, retired NFL star Emmitt Smith.

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VIPs

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.