September 23, 2008 - (Washington, DC) -  I always say the Congressional Black Caucus ALC is one of the most powerful assemblages of people in one place that I've ever witnessed.

Nowhere else can you mingle with members of Congress, activists, stalwart leaders of the community, and world renown legends, than at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference.

Wednesday marked the first day of the four-day conference which began with a formal press conference, and an evening Welcome Ceremony, presented by members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

The evening would follow with the ‘Celebration of Leadership In The Fine Arts’ awards (sponsored by the CBC spouses) held at the National Women’s History Museum.

This year’s honorees included artist Betye Saar, whose artistry is “suffused with themes of passage, crossroads, death and rebirth.”

Also honored were photographer Howard Bingham, who by all accounts is best known for his portraits that span the 1970s career of boxing legend Muhammad Ali.  Bingham’s photojournalism and documentary style of photography features “the materialization of Black pride and the fight for civil rights.”

Blues legend honoree, B.B. King, graced the podium with his presence, and wowed the audience with a snippet of his classic B.B. King style Blues.   Still the dapper blues man that he is, even at 88 years of age, said, “I’m glad to be honored tonight.  For a while there, I just thought that I was just out there.”

Well, we know you’re out there Mr. King, and we applaud and honor you (Lucille included) for providing this nation with your legacy of the Blues genre.

This year’s CBC-ALC conference, whose theme is ‘ Embracing the Promise, Realizing the Vision’, is held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and continues today with various brain trusts (that include discussions and solutions to many of this year’s issues including the mortgage crisis, and economic issues), an African American author’s pavilion, free health screenings at the Black Health Empowerment pavilion, and more.

Scheduled to appear during the Conference week is Presidential nominee, Barack Obama.

Please visit the CBC website for schedule and details.

Evening highlights

Former BET Nightly News anchor, Jackie Reid , hosted the evening’s ceremony.

Martha Reeves of Martha Reeves and Vandellas (see her appearance this Saturday at the Carlyle Club in Alexandria, VA).

The announcement of Congressman Al Wynn’s departure from Congress, at the end of this year’s session.

View our photos below, to the music of BB King's hit song, 'Sweet Little Angel'.

View photos | Go to CBC-ALC Day 2 >>