Neither the speeches, nor the food nor anything else seemed to matter as much at the University of the District of Columbia’s gala as rekindling relationships whose roots of friendship ran deep into years past.
(Photo by: Natalia Janetti)
UDC President Dr. Allen L. Sessoms
The event Friday night at the Mayflower Hotel also sparked new bonds and affiliations among some 300 celebrants closing out the 160th year of the university and its own roots.
Most of the crowd barely stayed seated during and between the courses. They jumped up to button-hole Mayor Vincent C. Gray, DC Councilmembers Marion Barry and Muriel Bowser, university president Dr. Allen L. Sessoms, DC Chamber of Commerce CEO Barbara B. Lang, gala chair Judith F. Terra, and city activist Virginia E. Hayes Williams about something or another.
(Photo by: Natalia Janetti)
Barbara and Gerald Lang
No one seemed to mind, for after all, that’s what DC schmoozaramas are about: the buzz.
Doreen Gentzler of NBC4 Washington, the mistress of ceremonies, introduced honorees Gray, Lang, Botswana Ambassador Tebelelo Seretse, Greater Washington Board of Trade President-CEO Jim Dinegar, and Fort Lincoln Realty Co. President Michele Hagans.
(Photo by: Natalia Janetti)
Linda Mercado Greene (left) & Judith Terra, both on the gala committee
DC Councilmember at-large Michael A. Brown accepted, posthumously, the President’s Award on behalf of his father, Commerce Secretary Ronald A. Brown, who was first chairman of the university’s board of trustees.
(Photo by: Natalia Janetti)
Ashley McCampbell and Carlos Gray, the mayor's son
Logistics ruler of the evening was Lee Brian Reba, UDC's director of special projects and events.
(Photo by: Natalia Janetti)
Councilmember Marion Barry
After the night of networking, it all continued the next morning as Gray and a city contingent left for Las Vegas to drum up business at the International Council of Shopping Centers.
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Great article. It is nice to read something that is positive about Black people instead of the negative articles on Black people in the Washington Post and City Paper. The Georgetown Dish has maintained fairness, dignity and responsible journalism when reporting on Black people and events.