September 27, 2008  –– The Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference ended in fine finale fashion with an annual awards dinner and show that featured a performance by Patti LaBelle, and an appearance by Presidential nominee, Barack Obama.

The red carpeted affair saw the likes of several members of the Congressional Black Caucus (who hands down agreed Barack won the presidential nominee debate over John McCain).

Life-sized Phoenix award.

Celebrities Omarosa, Kim Whitley, and CBC award honoree, Kerry Washington, also made red carpet appearances.

Emceed by Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete, featuring the Clarence Knight Orchestra, the awards dinner was opened by the singing of the National Anthem by Debra Tidwell, along with the singing of the Negro National Anthem, by tenor, Joseph A.C. Smith.

The evening would pay tribute to fallen CBC members Julia Carson, and Stephanie Tubbs Jones.

Patti Labelle, in kick-off-her-shoes fashion, (and on the heel of the upcoming presidential election) performed Sam Cook’s ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’, and her signature song, Lady Marmalade.

Hundreds (some for the first time) waited to see and hear Presidential nominee, Barack Obama.  Upon being introduced, a wave of applause, smiles, and cheers flooded the conference hall.

During his speech, Obama paid homage to those before him who paved the way for so many to have the opportunities in this lifetime.

“I may not ever see a Black man be able to be in the White House, but maybe my child will see it or my grandchild will see.' That's the long way we've come”, said Obama.

Michelle Obama was also present after having hosted a reception benefiting ‘The Obama Victory Fund’ earlier in the evening.

Obama was one of several honorees on the evening awarded the coveted  Phoenix Award, patterned after North Carolina Representative, George Henry White's 1901 Farewell Address to Congress.

The honor is bestowed to those who "symbolize the immortality of the human spirit", and to those who have made significant contributions to society.  

The complete list of this year’s recipients follow.

CBCF Chair’s Award –

§  Actress Kerry Washington

§  CBC Chair’s Award – Eleanor Josaitis, Co-Founder, Focus:Hope

The Adam Clayton Powell Award, honors individuals who have accomplished superb feats in the field of legislation or law at the national or local level, and who have positively affected the well-being of African Americans

Honorees

§  The Honorable Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts

§  The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of New York

The Barbara Jordan Award, honors women who have excelled in providing extraordinary contributions as public servants.

Honoree

§  The Honorable Karen Bass, Speaker of the California State Assembly

The Harold Washington Award honors an individual who has contributed immeasurably to African-American political awareness, empowerment and the advancement of minorities in the electoral process.

Honoree

§  The Honorable Barack Obama, Presidential Nominee and US Senator, Illinois

Listen to his speech, below.

Related

Other honorees of the Phoenix award include former Detroit mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick in 2006.

For more info on the this year’s Annual Legislative Conference of the 110^th Congressional Black Caucus, click here. 

View Day 1, 2, and 3 of the 2008 Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference.

See red carpet photos, and video.