FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Anne Williams
202.263.2812
WASHINGTON—The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) will host its Eighth Annual Avoice Heritage Celebration on March 29, at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater in Washington, D.C. This year’s theme, #RootedInEducation, addresses the need for achieving systemic equality and equitable access to education for African Americans. All three 2017 Avoice Heritage honorees demonstrate a commitment to advancing sustainable educational opportunities for African Americans.
The awards reception includes the screening and panel discussion of the documentary, America Divided: The Class Divide, which examines the student achievement gap and school-to-prison pipeline. Democratic strategist and CNN political commentator Symone D. Sanders, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.
“Education in the United States plays a crucial role in shaping the political, economic and social landscape of our society,” said A. Shuanise Washington, president & CEO of the CBCF. “Our honorees have made a profound impact and share CBCF’s determination to provide high-quality educational opportunities and resources for African Americans. The CBCF will continue to be intentional in our efforts to support, inspire and elevate the global black community through education that will help them succeed in a knowledge-driven workforce.”
This year’s Avoice Heritage Celebration honorees are as follows:
• The Honorable Robert C. Scott will receive the Distinguished Statesperson in Education Award, in recognition of his efforts to provide access to quality early, secondary and higher education and dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline.
• Beverly Bond will receive the Distinguished Leader in Education Award in recognition of her Black Girls Rock! Black Girls Rock Africa! and Girls Rock Tech! Initiatives to enrich African-American Girls through leadership, education and positive identity development.
• The Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown Family Foundation will receive the Distinguished Foundation in Education Award, for its support of charitable organizations providing access to educational opportunities for disadvantaged children and youth.
The Avoice Heritage Celebration is a fundraising event for the CBCF, a non-profit, nonpartisan educational and research institute. This signature event showcases the CBCF’s Avoice virtual library, an online repository that captures the legislative and political achievements of African Americans in Congress, and provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations who make humanitarian contributions to our society.
To purchase tickets, visit cbcfinc.org/heritage17. For media credentials, or if you are a member of the media seeking access for reporting purposes, please visit CBCF 2017 Avoice Heritage Media RSVP.
ABOUT CBCF
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF), established in 1976, is a non-partisan, nonprofit, public policy, research and educational institute, committed to advancing the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy and educating the public.
About Avoice
The Avoice Virtual Library is the central, online source of information about African-American political and legislative participation. It is a valuable tool for researchers, educators and students, offering users access to a unique collection of content on the role of African Americans in shaping democracy in the United States.
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