Arts Education Celebration
The DC Collaborative held our spring fundraiser event at the Lincoln Restaurant on April 25. The reception included more than 150 supporters old and new who believe in the power of the arts and humanities to positively transform student's lives.
"The arts keep students engaged in learning and they build the necessary skills and habits to succeed," remarked Chancellor Kaya Henderson whose office has recently embarked on the development of a new arts plan that includes an integral role for community arts partners.
Other event highlights included a performance by Dunbar Senior High School marching band that performed the Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful with music director Edward Anderson.
"The event was designed to bring in tomorrow's philanthropist and arts education leaders who can carry our work on into the future," commented event committee chair and DC Collaborative board member Jade Floyd.
While presenting a colorful painting by an eight-year-old student to the Chancellor, board president Jeff Travers said, "We present this gift to the Chancellor in recognition of the schools' ongoing partnership with the Collaborative and her commitment to the importance of learning in and through the arts."
Student artwork on display was created by students from Peabody Early Learning Center. DJ Jahsonic provided additional musical entertainment for the evening.
Event Honorary Co Chairs included U.S. Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton, John Lewis, and Louise Slaughter in addition to Chancellor Kaya Henderson. The program was emceed by trailblazing boxing announcer Henry Jones.
The host committee included: Joy Ford Austin, Michael Bobbitt, John M. Burns, Raymond Farmer Jade Floyd, Tony and Cher Freeman, Jeff Travers and Michael Heffner, Jamie Hess, James Gilbey, Tony Gittens, Dana Ayanna Greaves, Christal M. Jackson, Bruce Johnson, Carlyn Madden, Charlotte Cameron Marshall, Camelia Mazard, Jeanette McCune, Dorothy Pierce McSweeny, Gail Murdock, Ora Nwabueze, Ezra Qassim, Gina Sacripanti, Charles Small, Allen Weinstein, Reid and Veronica Wilson, and Adra Williams.
