What do you get when you put government officials, journalists, and reality show stars together in one room? I’ll tell you: a night to remember.
On Saturday night, I, a lifestyle writer and one of the youngest staff members here at theGrio, attended theGrio’s Washington D.C. Gala, presented by Byron Allen at the National Museum of African American History and Culture — and had to pinch myself all night to ensure I was not dreaming. Despite having been born and raised in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area (a.k.a the “DMV”) and being familiar with the political scene, nothing could have prepared me for running into U.S. Representative Maxine Waters in the restroom or seeing New York Mayor Eric Adams and Maryland Governor Wes Moore hype each other up to DJ Ty Alexander’s mix.
“We have to have a seat at the table,” Allen Media Group founder and CEO Byron Allen told the crowd. “We have to be unapologetically Black, unfiltered, straight ahead, no apology — and demand the respect and the money […] that we deserve.”
As the afterparty for one of the most significant media events of the year, the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, theGrio’s D.C. Gala was a true celebration of Black excellence. Yet despite continuously asking myself, “How did I get here?” as well-known faces like “Real Housewives of Potomac” star Wendy Osefo walked past me, I must admit I have never felt more at home. In a building celebrating our ancestors who forged the path, there’s an indescribable feeling of doing the “Wobble” alongside Black people leaving their mark across industries. It truly felt poetic.
Just a few feet below the event, authentic artifacts were displayed, threading the Black journey from slavery to freedom. Some who marched on that journey were among the gala’s guests, like Bobby Rush, former congressman and co-founder of the Illinois chapter of the Black…
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