Capital Connections: WGRG Tin Cup Awards Dinner

The Washington Government Relations Group's fourth annual Tin Cup Awards Dinner was held July 24 at the French Embassy.

WGRG Tin Cup Dinner Co-Chair Tiffany Moore with WGRG members Tasha Cole, Joi Sheffield and Kimberly Woodard.

The Root's publisher, Donna Byrd (center), with Kneeland Youngblood and 2013 WGRG President's Award winner Lamell McMorris, president and CEO of Perennial Strategy Group.

D.C. politicos Mariko Bennett, Jennifer Fischer and Alethia Jackson look absolutely stunning as they pose for a photo.

Two of AT&T's "well-connected" lobbyists, Lyndon Boozer and Marie Long, attend the WGRG Tin Cup Awards Dinner.

WGRG Tin Cup honoree Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), right, with her Deputy Chief of Staff Michele Jawando. Gillibrand was given the Adam Clayton Powell Award for Leadership in Diversity.

Former WGRG award recipient Barry Granger with Shuanise Washington, president and CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and D.C. politico Montez Anderson.

D.C. politicos Clete Boykin and Montez Anderson stop for a picture at the dinner.

WGRG Scholarship Coordinator David Youngblood (right) with one of this year's WGRG Terri Grier Memorial Scholarship recipients, Ocoszio Jackson, a rising senior at Morehouse College.

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) gives his acceptance speech for the Adam Clayton Powell Award for Leadership in Diversity.

D.C. politico and former WGRG award recipient Lucia Riddle and WGRG Tin Cup Reginald "Reg" Gilliam Lifetime Achievement awardee Art Collins, of the Collins/Johnson Group, at the ceremony.

D.C. politicos Norman Ross and Randy Broz flash their pearly whites at the awards ceremony.

D.C. politico Sanders Adu (Wells Fargo) poses for a photo with WGRG President Marcus Mason.

The Root's D.C. insider, Nicole Venable, with former U.S. Rep. Ron Dellums.

Tin Cup honoree Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), holding his award, poses with Tin Cup Dinner Co-Chair Sanders Adu.

Tin Cup honoree Mignon Clyburn, FCC commissioner, and Tin Cup Dinner Co-Chair Tiffany Moore.

On April 19, 2013, Washington, D.C.'s Howard Theatre held its second annual gala and benefit concert, honoring legendary music icons Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick and Valerie Simpson. Proceeds will be used to build a cultural and educational center connected to the historic theater. 

Here is Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) with the evening's legendary honorees: Warwick, Khan and Simpson.

The Honorable Yvonne Williams, judge in the Superior Court of Washington, D.C., and senior Department of Energy official Annie Watley.

What a "Sweet Thing" it was for D.C. politico Aquila Powell to meet the amazing icon Chaka Khan, gala honoree.

The Root's D.C. insider, Nicole Venable, with NBC's Celebrity Apprentice star Omarosa Manigault. Both are former Clinton administration appointees. Manigault donated her winnings on the show to the Michael Clarke Duncan Foundation. 

Gala guests Kateri Jones, Maisha Dyson, Malaika Jones Kebede and Nia Jones.

R&B singer Marsha Ambrosius, who performed at the gala in tribute to the night's honorees.

Venable with the evening's host, D.L. Hughley, and his lovely daughter, Ryan Hughley.

Politico Tony Haywood and Democratic political strategist Jamal Simmons attend the Howard Theatre Gala.

Chico DeBarge and Nona Hendryx, one of the original members of R&B supergroup LaBelle, pay tribute to Valerie Simpson with "Solid."

Washington, D.C.'s Mayor Vincent Gray enjoying the wonderful music at the Howard Theatre Gala. The performances had guests dancing in the aisles.

D.C. politico Lorna Wisham and R&B legend Stephanie Mills. 

Singer Jaguar Wright and Howard Theatre Restoration Inc. volunteer Lauren Holland. Both are from Philadelphia.

D.C. public relations executive Henry Stewart with Nona Hendryx.

Venable and Roy "Chip" Ellis, member of the board of trustees for Howard Theatre Restoration Inc. Ellis is CEO of the development corporation that led the efforts to rebuild the theater.

Gala Chair Marcella Jones with singer Kenny Lattimore and Dr. Lynne Lightfoote. Lattimore is from the Washington, D.C., area and participated in the evening's tribute performances.

At the end of the night: Singer Raheem DeVaughn hosted the celebration after the gala. He's pictured here with Venable.