2009 Inaugural Ball and Events

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Our City-wide Coverage.

The 2009 Inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama, rendered lots of events around the city.   We covered a few of them and here’s our list.

The African American Church Inaugural Ball

Celebrating the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama, the event paid homage to those in leadership, and civil rights and began with an amazing video of images of those in service - past and present, up to and including President Obama.

A video featured the singing of the Negro National Anthem, Lift Every Voice, that rendered numerous applauses and standing ovations from the crowd from beginning to end.

With performances by Wintley Phipps, Regina Bell, Micha Stampley, and Jackie Gouchè, the event also awarded the distinguished Flame Award to 25 extraordinary individuals. Among them poet Maya Angelou (not in attendance); Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu; political strategist Donna Brazile; Bennett College President emeriti, Johnnetta B. Cole; Children’s Defense Fund, Dr. Marian Wright Edelman, historian, Dr. John Hope Franklin; Dr. Dorothy Height; and Reverend Al Sharpton.

Pastor Rick Warren, invited to give the invocation at the Inauguration of President Obama, was also in attendance at the African American Church Inaugural Ball.

We caught up with Pastor Warren to get his thoughts on being selected to give the invocation and he told us, “I can think of many pastors more qualified than me who should be here for this event.  I am just overwhelmed that I was selected.”

The event was produced by the Balm In Gilead organization.

Howard University Symposiums

Howard University was transformed into the official headquarters for 2009 Inaugural Symposiums that discussed everything from education, the economy, Hip-Hop, and politics.  

The all-day symposiums drew crowds to Howard’s Cramton Auditorium to hear leaders from their respective fields such as Dr. Cornell West, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Sr.; economist, Dr. Andrew Brimmer; Washington Post columnist Michelle Singletary, and others speak on issues concerning our youth, government and politics, education, and music.

Hip Hop Symposium

The Hip Hop Symposium featured the likes of Sean 'Diddy' Combs, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, and Christopher Bridges (Ludacris).

Said Latifah, "Right or wrong, Hip Hop is Black.  Hip Hop is bringing people together.” 

On the flip side Queen also responded to a question regarding Hip Hop’s negative portrayal of Black women by the genre’s men.  

"If you’re calling me a bitch, what does that make you?", said Latifah.  

Queen reminded the audience that women are not without flaws, but added, “We are the First Lady of this country”, to which Queen received an arousing standing ovation.

Spike Lee served as the official Master of Ceremonies on the day, while the symposiums were lead and moderated by the likes of Roland Martin, Michelle Bernard, and CNN correspondent, Roland Martin.

The event was sponsored by Pepsi.

The Ancestors’ Dream Inaugural Ball

The Prince George’s County Inaugural Committee worked on arranging this event.   We spoke with Maryland Lieutenant Governor, Anthony Brown about the festivities and he had this to say.

“We’re really excited to be part of history in the making.”   

The Lt. Governor talked also about President Obama’s whistle-stop tour in Baltimore, Md. 

“To see President Obama greet 40,000 thousand people in our city, that was really exciting.  The country is energized.  Maryland is energized.”

The event featured performances by the Ron Clarke Singers, Donnie McClurkin, Patti LaBelle, and the O’ Jays at the Gaylord Hotel and Resort.

The event was hosted by Jamie Foster Brown of Sister2 Sister Magazine.  Special appearance by Fantasia.  Click here for more info. 

Hip Hop Inaugural Ball

Hosted by Russell Simmons, Ben Chavis, and the Hip Hop Caucus this event awarded the best and brightest of the genre.

Awardees included Bow Wow, LL Cool J, MC Lyte, and TI.

TI told the crowd that he was glad he went through what he recently experienced and told the seated crowd of more than 200 that if his experience can help others not to make the same mistakes he has made, than it was worth it. 

TI was recently charged on gun charges, and as a result is serving community service.   TI cited that his appearance at the Ball was not part of his community service responsibility.

The event, held at the Harman Center for The Arts (across from the Verizon Center) saw a performance by Buster Rhymes that brought the crowd to its feet.

For images of this event, and others click here.

 

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