Events/Things To Do

U.S. Dream Academy’s POWER OF A DREAM GALA – Celebrating 25 Years of Cultivating Dreams

Monday, October 2

5:30-10:30P p.m.

Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC

Link
The U.S. Dream Academy, a Maryland based, 501(c)3 nonprofit that inspires and invests in the lives of children of incarcerated parents, will host its Annual “Power of A Dream” Gala in honor of the charity’s 25th Anniversary on Monday, October 2nd at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, presented by Amway. In celebrating its 25th year, the U.S. Dream Academy gala is held to benefit our nationally recognized after-school programs for children. The event attracts some of Hollywood’s top celebrities, corporate executives, and VIPs, as well as political and community leaders, who support and invest in the future of those children most at risk. The annual event also honors those who are making a difference in young people’s lives with their philanthropic efforts.

Alumni Keynote Speaker: Withney Simons Entertainment: Jennifer Holliday, GRAMMY and TONY Award winning Broadway Actress, Recording Artist and Gospel Singer

Special Performance: Wintley Phipps, GRAMMY nominated Gospel Singer, and Founder and CEO of U.S. Dream Academy, with the Takoma Academy Chorale

The U.S. Dream Academy, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that inspires and invests in the lives of children of incarcerated parents, will host its Annual “Power of A Dream” celebration in honor of the charity’s 25th Anniversary on Monday, October 2nd at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, presented by Amway. The Black Tie Optional Event will commence with a Sponsor Reception at 5:30pm, followed by the Program at 7:00pm, hosted by NBC4 News Anchor Shawn Yancy. Celebration tickets are available for purchase.

Event Details:

In celebrating its 25th year, the U.S. Dream Academy has set a fundraising goal of $1 million for the 450 attending guests and honorees. The event will take place in the Gathering Room on the top floor of the Museum of The Bible, with sweeping views of Washington, DC. Attendees will be treated to a red carpet experience, VIP reception, an impactful Power of A Dream 25th Anniversary program, an After-Glow dessert reception, and entertainment by Grammy and Tony Award winning artist Jennifer Holliday.

“For a quarter of a century, our nonprofit has been the driving force behind positive change, impacting countless lives,” says Dr. Wintley Phipps, U.S. Dream Academy Founder and CEO. “As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we renew our commitment to our mission and look forward to the next 25 years of making a difference in the world.”

EVENING HIGHLIGHTS

Alumni Keynote Speaker: Withney Simons, U.S. Dream Academy Alum, Entrepreneur and Head Image Consultant at Conassauier Paris

Entertainment: Jennifer Holliday, GRAMMY and TONY Award winning Broadway Actress, Recording Artist and Gospel Singer

Special Performances & Appearances: Wintley Phipps, GRAMMY nominated Gospel Singer, and Founder and CEO of U.S. Dream Academy, Award Winning Takoma Academy Chorale

Mentor of The Year Award (sponsored by QTS): DANIEL GUERRERO

After a round of nominations from each of the U.S. Dream Academy Learning Centers across the United States, and a rigorous review by a specially selected group of QTS employees, we are thrilled to announce our mentor of the year from Salt Lake City: Daniel Guerrero.

Daniel has been in the mentorship program since March of 2022. Not only is he a mentor at U.S. Dream Academy, but he is a mentor coach and agent manager at PlusOne Company, a sales center that specializes in direct response. Although he has worked for the company for eight years, Daniel decided to go back to school to finish his associates degree. One of his courses required him to mentor in the community. He researched several other programs, and ultimately, he believed the U.S. Dream Academy mission and vision aligned most strongly with his own.

Growing up, Daniel lived in a single parent household with three other siblings. Looking back at his time in Mexico, Daniel says he “wasn’t on the right path” even at a young age. He believes without a doubt, had he been there longer, the trajectory of his life would have been much different. Looking at the parallels of his life in comparison, Daniel understands the importance of having a program to impact kids in a positive way.

Amway serves as the Presenting Sponsor of the Power of a Dream Gala. Additional sponsors this year include: QTS, Centera Transport, Inc.,Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, David McDonald, Giant Food, Markerman Productions, IBOAI, NFL Foundation, and the Antoine Bethea Family Family Foundation.

Since 2001, the annual Power of a Dream Gala has raised more than $20 million to assist with the provision of high-quality after-school programs specifically tailored for children living in high-risk communities.

Today, there are more than 850 young people (DreamKids) in seven communities (Dream Cities) nationwide who benefit each day from evidence-based comprehensive youth development programming delivered through Dream Academy Learning Centers in: Baltimore, Houston, Orlando, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, San Bernardino, and Washington, DC. During the pandemic, the U.S. Dream Academy developed a safe, secure “Virtual Village” online platform for our young people and mentors to maintain connection; it has now become one of our more popular ways for our mentors to connect with their mentee from anywhere in the world.

DC DreamKids are active in the annual Power of a Dream Gala, and love to engage in community outreach supporting the local shelters for people experiencing homelessness through a partnership with Giant Food.

Congressional Host Committee:

The Honorable John A. Boehner, Former Speaker, United States House of Representatives

Senator Ben Cardin, D-MD

Senator Diane Feinstein, D-CA

Congressman Pete Aguilar, D-CA

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, D-TX

Congressman Kwesi Mfume, D-MD

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC

Congressman Bobby Scott, D-VA

Congressman David Trone, D-MD

Please join the DC Public Library Foundation in the MLK Jr. Lirary Great Hall as DC’s Neighborhood Librarians battle it out for the title of best Banned Book Art Installation!

We will also honor inspiring community advocates with our second Power the Dream DCPLF awards:

-TRANSFORMER AWARD

-SPOTLIGHT AWARD

-IGNITING THE COMMUNITY AWARD

October 6, 2023 | 6:00 PM VIP

7:00 PM General Admission

MLK JR. Memorial Library

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation – the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization – and prominent food writer David Hagedorn announce the return of Chefs for Equality on Monday, October 30, 2023, at the National Building Museum. Now in its 10th year, the evening of extraordinary food, drink, and entertainment, in addition to live and silent auctions, supports the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s nationwide educational work and its fight for full LGBTQ+ equality.

“At Chefs for Equality, over 150 of Washington D.C.’s greatest chefs, bakers and mixologists create spectacular food and drinks in the name of full LGBTQ+ equality. This year’s theme, Plate of Emergency, calls attention to the state of emergency that the Human Rights Campaign has officially declared because of intensified attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender and non-binary people. The chef community stands at the ready to turn up the heat and fight even harder to protect and promote equality,” said David Hagedorn.

“It is so exciting to have DC’s top culinary and mixology talents come together in support of HRC Foundation’s work,” said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson. “LGBTQ+ Americans are navigating a national state of emergency, facing an all out assault on our basic rights. From access to necessary health care to feeling safe and supported at work and in our communities, anti-LGBTQ+ extremists are working to limit our freedoms and push us back into the closet. We need to fight back with full force against these injustices and continue to support impactful initiatives that expand equity and equality for all.”

As they have since the event’s inception in 2012, Christopher Vazquez and Rick Davis of Amaryllis Floral + Event Design will transform the Chefs for Equality venue into a wonderland that will feature 40 savory tasting stations and 20 crafted cocktail bars headed by renowned chefs and mixologists from the Greater D.C. area. The jewels of the Chefs for Equality crown are the 13 personal chef tables — each decorated to the hilt with a unique theme and providing an opportunity to dine with celebrity chefs for a lavish five-course meal in the middle of the action. The DMV area’s top pastry chefs prepare stunning show-piece cakes that will adorn the museum, and guests can sample these delectable pastries towards the end of the evening before heading out with a curated limited-edition goody bag chock-full of culinary goodies. In addition to impressive fare, live and silent auctions are also held.

New additions this year:

• Speed Diner meets Drag Brunch – An interactive entertainment experience where guests can purchase a time slot for a seat at the diner where they’ll enjoy brunch-inspired bites, a specialty cocktail, and an exclusive drag performance curated by Crazy Aunt Helen’s.

• Queerlada Shop – A cafe in the middle of the action featuring Latin-inspired savory dishes, pastries and libations curated by the popular D.C.-based Colada Shop Cuban Cafe & Bar.

• Private Upper Tier Champagne & Caviar Lounge – This exclusive Chefs for Equality activation, on the second floor of the Building Museum, features select restaurant partners, Champagne, caviar, lounge seating and more.

All proceeds will benefit the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s nationwide educational work for LGBTQ+ equality. The HRC Foundation works to educate the public and provides training and model policies that alter the fundamental nature of the institutions governing the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people everywhere.

Tickets for Chefs for Equality can be purchased at hrc.im/ChefsTickets. The full list of participating chefs, pastry chefs, bakers, and mixologists can be found at ChefsForEquality.org.

Whitman-Walker 37th Annual Walk To End HIV & Open House of New Max Robinson Center

Saturday, October 21, 2023

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Gateway DC Pavilion
2700 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE
Washington, DC 20032

The Walk to End HIV is more than just a fundraiser at Whitman-Walker. The Walk symbolizes our continued efforts to find a cure for HIV and to stop the stigma surrounding HIV. This fight will take the entire community’s support and commitment.

This year’s walk attendees will also be able to take a tour of our brand-new Max Robinson Center. Named for acclaimed TV anchor Max Robinson, our new Max Robinson Center will be a healthcare home and state of the art research center where we will be able to serve an additional 10,000 patients per year. The New Max will bring much needed health and wellness services to the residents of DC and we’re so excited to share it with you. LINK

National Children’s Museum, the preeminent combined children’s museum and science center, will hold its Dreamers Soirée, an evening that celebrates and reflects the joys of childhood: imagination, play, and, of course, dreams!

Taking place on Thursday, November 2nd, 2023, the evening will bring together individuals and corporate supporters, public officials, and prominent figures in Washington’s business and cultural communities in support of the Museum’s mission of inspiring children to care about and change the world.

The evening will begin with an elegant seated dinner, held in honor of one of the Museum’s founding Trustees and former Board Chair, Dick Snowdon, a champion of the National Children’s Museum for nearly 50 years. Snowdon has been an integral part of the National Children’s Museum’s journey to provide children with the opportunity to experience the joy of play-based, STEAM learning in our nation’s capital, serving as a past Board Chair of the Capital Children’s Museum on H Street in northeast D.C. and an instrumental force behind the Museum establishing its current home in downtown D.C.

Following the dinner, the evening will progress into a celebratory soirée, featuring signature cocktails, culinary delights, dancing, music, and more.

“The Dreamers Soirée is an opportunity for us to come together as a community to celebrate the joy and impact being made at the National Children’s Museum,” said Crystal Bowyer, Museum CEO and President. “Without the generosity of our supporters, the work we are honored to do would not be possible, and we’re so thankful to be inspiring the next generation of leaders and changemakers inside the Museum every day.”

Hosted by Abby Phillip, Anchor of “CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip,” the Dreamers Soirée will include Honorary Chairs Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Senator Chris Van Hollen, who have provided tremendous support to the institution for years. Additional event chairs include Museum Board of Trustees member Heather Zimmerman and her husband, former Washington Nationals player Ryan Zimmerman, and John Legittino and Lauren Pratapas.

The event’s host committee includes Elizabeth and Paul Bonner, Brooke and Fritz Brogan, Ashley and Matt Bronczek, Kristin and John Cecchi, Andrea Dykes and Jeremy Fishelberg, Michelle Fields and Jamie Weinstein, Rae Ann and Jermaine Johnson, Traci and Robb Micek, Beth Newburger Schwartz, and S. Scott Stewart.

Event sponsors include the Embassy of the State of Qatar, Mrs. Jacquline Mars, Geico, PNC, American Airlines, American Beverage Association, Capitol Seniors Housing, VPC Inc., as well as Andrea Dykes and Jeremy Fishelberg, Elizabeth and Paul Bonner, Brooke and Fritz Brogan, Ashley and Matt Bronczek, S. Ross Hechinger, Stephanie Beyer Kirby and Trey Kirby, Traci and Robb Micek, Beth Newburger Schwartz, and Joseph Wright.

Limited tickets are still available for $500 for both the dinner and soirée, or just the soirée for $200 ($150 for Museum members). Additional event details, tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at www.nationalchildrensmuseum.org/dreamers-soiree-2023/.

Dinner
6 pm reception
7 pm dinner
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center

Soirée
8 to 11 pm
National Children’s Museum

Creative cocktail attire

Capital Food Fight returns to The Anthem on Thursday, November 9th for the 19th installment of DC Central Kitchen’s raucous night of fighting hunger. Tickets to this year’s event, presented by Instacart, at capitalfoodfight.org.

First hosted in 2004 by DC Central Kitchen’s long-time volunteer and Board Chair Emeritus José Andrés, Capital Food Fight has long been the must-attend event of food lovers, TV stars, and philanthropists alike. Executive Chef & Co-Owner of Money Muscle BBQ/All Set/Fryer’s Roadside Ed Reavis, Chef Rachel Bindel of 101 Hospitality Group (Michele’s, Gravitas, Bakers Daughter), Executive Chef of dLeña Carlos Camacho, and Estuary’s Chef de Cuisine Ria Montes join a storied list of notable chefs who have faced off in head-to-head culinary challenge on the main stage featuring a spotlighted ingredient. Each dish will be judged by a panel of culinary icons, including Top Chef’s lead judge, restaurateur, and James Beard award-winning chef Tom Colicchio; restaurateur, Iron Chef America champion, and star of truTV’s Fast Foodies Justin Sutherland, retired Washington Nationals All-Star Ryan Zimmerman, and more!

Celebrity chef and DC-based restaurateur, Spike Mendelsohn, Chef Andrés, and local media personality Tommy McFly return as the evening’s hosts and emcee, respectively, to keep things rocking from the main stage with one of DC’s most in-demand performers, DJ Neekola, on the decks all night long as attendees feast on delicious bites from more than 80 of the DMV’s best restaurants.

Tickets are available for purchase at www.capitalfoodfight.org  General admission tickets are $325, with VIP access going for $550. VIP ticket holders will have exclusive access to the second floor with balcony seating and full open bar. All proceeds from the event, including donations and silent auction, go to support DC Central Kitchen’s award-winning solutions to hunger and poverty in Washington, DC, from providing culinary job training to serving scratch-cooked school meals to delivering fresh fruits and vegetables at deep discounts to small corner stores across city.

Special thanks to the 2023 Capital Food Fight Presenting Sponsor, Instacart, along with Showcase Sponsors CoBank, Lineage Logistics, and Wegmans, which will also be stocking this year’s on-stage pantry. The battling chefs will be highlighting special ingredients provided by Wegmans, Keany Produce, and AUI Fine Foods. Further appreciation goes to our Executive Chef Sponsors Bloomberg Philanthropies, Clark Construction, RTX, Wells Fargo, Vox Media, and Appliances A Better Way (ABW), and Sous Chef Sponsors Bank of America, DoorDash and Geico. For a full list of 2023 sponsors and information on remaining availability, please visit capitalfoodfight.org/sponsors.

Capital Food Fight is a 21 and older event. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.capitalfoodfight.org