by guest contributor Maha Hakki
Photo credit: Joy Asico
“DC Vote was honored to acknowledge the important work of the Herb Block Foundation and commemorate the 40th anniversary of the DC Home Rule Act. The Champions of Democracy Awards is an annual reunion for the DC Voting rights community to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts made on behalf of democracy, and then collectively re-energize to continue fighting for the democratic equality we so very much deserve,” remarked DC Vote Executive Director Kimberly Perry.
Event co-chairs Joseph Perta and Marie Johns flank DC Vote Executive Director Kimberly Perry
Acclaimed journalist Clarence Page joined Perry to recognize the 2014 Champions of Democracy honoree, The Herb Block Foundation.
The event honored the organization for its continued success in keeping the philanthropic and democratic spirit of the award-winning political cartoonist Herb Block alive. Guests also commemorated the 40th anniversary of DC Home at the celebration. The program featured remarks from Perry, Page, Herb Block Foundation President & CEO Marcela Brane, event co-chairs Marie Johns and Joseph Perta and Herb Block scholarship alumni student Oluwafemi Morrisey. Morrisey gave a heartfelt speech about how the foundation has helped his growth at the University of the District of Columbia. Each speaker shared personal anecdotes and experiences regarding their advocacy efforts to protect and advance democracy here at home and abroad.
Marcela Brane – Councilmember Muriel Bowser – Clarence Page
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and councilmembers Muriel Bowser and David Catania were among the familiar faces on-hand to support DC Vote’s Champions of Democracy Awards Gala. The national educational and advocacy organization hosted their annual fete in the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress. Over 300 guests attended the soiree, including Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services BB Otero, councilmembers Anita Bonds and Vincent Orange, the University of the District of Columbia President James Lyons and DC Vote co-founders Daniel Solomon and Joe Sternlieb, among others.
Councilmember David Catania and DC Vote Chairman Ed Krauze
About the Honoree: The Herb Block Foundation is committed to defending basic freedoms, combating all forms of discrimination and prejudice and improving the condition of the poor and underprivileged- all in the memory of influential late political cartoonist Herb Block. Block left behind $50 million to encourage the art of editorial cartooning and to support charitable and educational programs promoting the causes he celebrated during his 72 years of cartooning.
DC Vote co-founders Daniel Solomon and Joe Sternlieb
About DC Vote: Founded in 1998, DC Vote is dedicated to securing full voting representation in Congress and full democracy for the nearly 700,000 residents of the District of Columbia. Americans living in our nation’s capital raise families, pay full federal taxes and fight and die in wars but are denied voting representation in the House and the Senate.
