THANK YOU!

The 4th Annual AFAC fundraiser raised

$45,000!!!!!!!

THE MORTGAGE HAS BEEN RETIRED AND THE PERMANENT HOME CAMPAIGN IS OVER 

Once again this event will feature live music, a cash bar, dinner by bites prepared by the awesome Clarendon Ballroom Chef, a live and silent auction and plenty of good company and fun. CHECK OUT SOME OF THE GREAT AUCTION ITEMS FOR THIS YEAR!

Mistress of Ceremony, Cynné Simpson Cynné Simpson is an Emmy Award and Edward R Murrow Award winning anchor for ABC7/WJLA-TV. She’s covered worldwide news and entertainment stories from the historic wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in London to the Red Carpet of the 2011 Oscars. She was the first to interview Oprah Winfrey after it was announced the Oprah Winfrey Show was ending. Cynné has also done exclusive interviews with Michelle Obama at the White House, Diane Sawyer, Maya Angelou, Muhammad Ali and countless others. In 2011, Cynné co-hosted ABC 7′s primetime Oscars Red Carpet Special and a Tribute to Oprah Winfrey. She has also contributed reports to “Live with Regis and Kelly,” “Extra!,” and “The Donnie Simpson Radio Show.” Prior to joining the team at WJLA, Cynne was an evening anchor at WGCL in Atlanta. She also worked at KCTV in Kansas City and WNDU in South Bend, Indiana. Cynné got her start in television working behind the scenes at ABC News Nightline where Ted Koppel personally selected her for a fellowship. Cynné speaks Spanish fluently after studying abroad in Spain and Costa Rica. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Howard University in Washington DC and in 2011, was honored by the University for her commitment to giving back. The US State Department sent Cynné to Barbados in 2009 to help facilitate better relations between Caribbean journalists and the United States. Cynne is a spokesperson for ABC 7’s “Drive to Stay Alive” campaign. Cynné’s community and professional achievements earned her the top spot on Ebony magazine’s list of Leaders for the Future. She was also presented a Congressional Award for Community Service. When Cynné isn’t working, she’s usually traveling to remote parts of the world. She loves adventure sports and is constantly looking for places to hang glide, rock climb, swim with sharks or try something new.

Special Guest, Andy  Shallal Anas “Andy” Shallal is an artist and social entrepreneur. He was born in Iraq and moved to Washington DC with his family in 1966. He is the founder of Busboys and Poets, a restaurant, bookstore, fair trade market and a community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted. A space where art, culture and politics intentionally collide. A place to feed your body, mind and soul. Busboys and Poets is named after the great poet Langston Hughes, who was known as the busboy-poet. Since its inception Busboys and Poets has been a magnate for book talks, community gatherings, panel discussion and networking. Currently there are 3 Busboys and Poets in DC, MD and VA. In the summer of 2009, Shallal opened Eatonville Restaurant, a southern themed restaurant with artwork, murals and food that pays homage to Zora Neale Hurston. Shallal’s businesses are B Corporations that adhere to sustainable business practices. He has received numerous awards including the Mayor’s Arts Award, the Mayor’s Environmental Award. Shallal has founded or co-founded several peace and justice organizations and holds leadership positions in numerous others. He is the treasurer for the Institute for Policy Studies and the Chairman of Think Local First DC, a local business association. He also sits on the board of several arts and peace organizations and continues to make his hometown of Washington DC a more livable community.

Special Guest Gary Clark   Gary Clark is a Redskin legend.  But before he ever played professional football he had made a local name for himself at Pulanski County High School where he lettered in three sports and later at James Madison University where he caught a school record of 155 career passes and 16 career touchdowns, earning him All-American honorable mentions and the Virginia Offensive College Player of the year in 1982.  He is a two time Redskin Super Bowl winner.  He spent 11 seasons in the NFL and finished his career with 699 receptions, 10,856 yards, and 65 touchdowns.  He was named to the 70 Greatest Redskins list in 2002. Clark was the first receiver in NFL history to catch at least 50 passes in his first ten NFL seasons.  He was named to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

Enjoi Cupcakes Joining us for a second year are Carla Carter and Ashlyn Joi,  mother/daughter team extraordinaire.  The two own and run Enjoi Cupcakes, a bi-coastal company that combines their collective love of baking and savvy business acumen to produce one of the premier mobile/delivery cupcake companies on both coasts.  They make their cupcakes to order for any occasion from weddings to office parties and anything in between.  They have a whimsical, joi-filled approach to the flavors and designs they create.  Look for the display of their wonderful cupcakes.  We are so happy and blessed to have them back at this year’s event.