




honoring visionary leaders in the fight for civil rights
SEPTEMBER 25, 2024
DOCK 5 @ UNION MARKET
WASHINGTON, DC
The written word is all that stands between memory and oblivion. Without books as our anchors, we are cast adrift, neither teaching nor learning. They are windows on the past, mirrors on the present, and prisms reflecting all possible futures.
”
— GREG WEISMAN
Welcome to the 2024 MARCH ON FESTIVAL AWARDS GALA
More than a decade ago, inspired by a trip with Congressman John R. Lewis, our founder Robert Raben realized that change in our world is driven not just by the bold-faced names credited with leading movements, but rather by the many unnamed foot soldiers committing everyday acts of courage.
The March on Washington Film festival was conceived to tell those stories of strategy and sacrifice by regular people. We used film as our chosen medium because of it’s power to engage people of all ages and backgrounds.
In the dozen years since, the March on Washington Film Festival’s commitment to truth telling has not wavered. However, what has evolved is our approach. From a once-a-year film festival to now year-round programming; from a centering of film to now an embrace of the full spectrum of visual and performing arts; from a platform for expert filmmakers to now a teacher and incubator for student and emerging filmmakers, armed with the tools of narrative change.
A new name was in order, to fully represent who we were and who we are now.
And so March On is how we will use all forms of visual and performing arts to tell these stories — through singing, dancing, drawing, acting, writing, and yes, transformational filmmaking. Our storytelling legacy continues to be a catalyst for movements and progress. These are the Stories That Move — and we have seen the power of storytelling to inspire!
As we move forward as March On, our mission remains the same: to honor those who paved the way and to make real for audiences around the world how the stories of our past serve to drive our collective future.
Thank you for your participation and your ongoing support.
Together, let’s continue to March On.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, STAFF, & FESTIVAL AUDIENCES WISH TO THANK THESE GENEROUS DONORS
WHOSE SUPPORT HAS MADE THE 2024 MARCH ON FESTIVAL & OUR YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS POSSIBLE:
BERNSTEIN FAMILY FOUNDATION
BLACC / AHF
(BLACK LEADERSHIP AIDS
CRISIS COALITION / AIDS
FORD FOUNDATION
REVADA FOUNDATION
SOPHIA LYNN & DAVID FREDERICK
INTERDIGITAL WALMART
HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION)
CARL M. FREEMAN FOUNDATION
COLLEGE BOARD
CRAIG EMANUEL
LIBRA PHILANTHROPIES
MELISSA MAXFIELD NBWA NCTA
PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE
PFIZER
PRUDENTIAL
RAPOPORT FAMILY FOUNDATION
ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION
SAZERAC COMPANY
SOUTHERN COMPANY
THE DASCHLE GROUP
TOTAL WINE & MORE UBER
WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY WE THE PEOPLE
ARIEL INVESTMENTS
JOYCE BRAYBOY
CITYBRIDGE EDUCATION
INVARIANT
VICKEE JORDAN ADAMS
LORETTA LYNCH
OFFICE OF CABLE, TELEVISION, FILM, MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT (OFCTFME)
JOSEPH OLCHEFSKE & JUDITH BUNNELL
REAL CHEMISTRY
SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT
STALK FILMS
TRILITH STUDIOS
DR. REED TUCKSON & MARGIE MALONE TUCKSON
A’LELIA BUNDLES
VICTORIA BASSETTI
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 | WASHINGTON, DC
LARRY DUNCAN
MELISSA MAXFIELD
JOYCE BRAYBOY
KENDRA BROWN
MICHAEL COLLINS
CRAIG EMANUEL
MARCH
VICKEE JORDAN ADAMS
DENIELLE PEMBERTON-HEARD
MARIE SYLLA
NICOLE VENABLE
STEPHANIE GOLD CHAIR
VICTORIA BASSETTI VICE CHAIR
CRAIG EMANUEL FINANCE CHAIR
VICKEE JORDAN ADAMS
JOYCE BRAYBOY
A’LELIA BUNDLES
SAMARA FOXX
MELISSA MAXFIELD
JOSEPH OLCHEFSKE
DENIELLE PEMBERTON-HEARD
ROBERT RABEN
JOSEPH WEST
COCKTAIL RECEPTION
WELCOME Jonathan Capehart MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Larry Duncan & Melissa Maxfield GALA CO-CHAIRS
SPOKEN WORD PERFORMANCE
Sainey Ceesay In the Library DINNER Robert Raben FOUNDER
MARCH ON FESTIVAL AWARDS
MARCH ON AWARDS
Reginald Dwayne Betts
PRESENTED BY PROFESSOR HOKE S. GLOVER III
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
PRESENTED BY CONGRESSMAN BENNIE THOMPSON
JOHN ROBERT LEWIS LIFETIME LEGACY AWARD
Congressman Steny Hoyer
PRESENTED BY CONGRESSWOMAN DEBBIE DINGELL
CLOSING REMARKS
A vital step toward progress is truth—understanding where we come from and what must change.
This belief has always driven the March on Washington Film Festival, born from the creativity and passion of many minds. Now, we’re evolving and rebranding as March On to reflect our expanded mission: telling the untold stories of the Civil Rights Movement, honoring those who paved the way, and connecting history to the future.
March On transcends literal marching by using all forms of visual and performing arts to tell these stories—through singing, dancing, drawing, acting, writing, and yes, transformational filmmaking. This storytelling legacy, passed down through generations of African-ancestored people, continues to be a catalyst for movements and progress. These are the Stories That Move, and we believe in the power of storytelling to inspire action.
As we move forward as March On, our mission remains the same: to honor those who paved the way and to make real for audiences around the world how the stories of our past serve to drive our collective future.
Together, let’s continue to March On.
March On 2024 proudly presents Word! Writers Who Move the Movement , celebrating readers, writers, publishers, books and film! Join us OCTOBER 6 -13 for an exciting lineup of films, panel discussions, immersive art experiences, and performances.
The festival will feature ancestors whose words continue to help us bend toward justice — including Baldwin, Lorde, DuBois, Hurston, along with tributes to Khalil Gibran and Octavia Butler. We’ll also highlight contemporary writers using memoir to carve new paths in storytelling, including poet Staceyann Chin
The Festival will feature literary legends Walter Mosley, Paul Coates, Faith Childs, and Malaika Adero, sharing their decades-long careers in creating bestsellers and preserving the work of Black writers. We’ll also enjoy a full afternoon with Penguin Random House executives on editing, agenting, marketing, DEI, audio narration, and the defense of banned books. Don’t miss a focus on African archetypes in the novels The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, and Sula revealed by Toni Morrison scholar, Dr. Kokahvah Zauditu-Selassie.
There will be a focus on innovations in VR in our Immersive Salon; the works of vintage and contemporary artists in our Fine Art Print Fair; and the winners of our Student & Emerging Filmmaker Competitions.
To close our festivities this year, we’ll be sharing foods and recipes that have sustained us across time at The Gathering Table brunch on our final day, all to the nourishment of our bodies, minds and spirits.
We can’t wait to see you at the festival this year! Make sure to visit MarchOnFest.org and register early, as seats are limited for many events.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FESTIVAL, AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS, PLEASE VISIT
The MARCH ON AWARDS and the JOHN ROBERT LEWIS LIFETIME LEGACY AWARD were created to recognize leaders whose devotion to the advancement of civil rights and social justice is unparalleled.
These prestigious awards are presented annually and the recipients are honored at the Awards Gala which kicks off the March On Festival.
PAST AWARDEES
LIFETIME LEGACY AWARD RECIPENTS
NIKKI GIOVANNI (2019)
CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS (2020) PRESENTED POSTHUMOUSLY
JOHN ROBERT LEWIS LIFETIME LEGACY AWARD RECIPIENTS
CONGRESSMAN JAMES CLYBURN (2021)
CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA LEE (2022)
SENATOR REVEREND RAPHAEL WARNOCK (2023)
MARCH ON AWARD RECIPIENTS
REVEREND AL SHARPTON
IRENE GANDY
GEORGE C. WOLFE
DONORS OF COLOR NETWORK
ACCEPTED BY LOLA C. WEST & KATHLEEN TAIT
SAM POLLARD
SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER
ACCEPTED BY MARGARET HUANG
CONGRESSWOMAN MAXINE WATERS
DR. JOYCE LADNER
PEGGY WALLACE KENNEDY
CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL
PAST PRESENTERS
SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND
CONGRESSWOMAN AYANNA PRESSLEY
EMILIO SOSA
JEFFERY WRIGHT
CONGRESSMAN JAMES CLYBURN
REGGIE VAN LEE
JUDY RICHARDSON
CONGRESSWOMAN LAUREN UNDERWOOD
KERRY KENNEDY
JOY REID
MAYOR MURIEL BOWSER
CONGRESSWOMAN ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON
CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS
SENATOR DOUG JONES
DR. JOHNETTA COLA
Reginald Dwayne Betts is a poet, lawyer, and advocate for criminal justice reform whose work explores the intersection of literature, law, and social justice. A formerly incarcerated individual, Betts turned his life around through education, earning a B.A. from the University of Maryland, an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Warren Wilson College, and a J.D. from Yale Law School. His powerful poetry, found in collections such as Felon and Shahid Reads His Own Palm, gives voice to the experiences of incarceration, race, and redemption.
Betts is also the founder of Freedom Reads, a nonprofit organization that places books in prisons, fostering education and personal growth among incarcerated individuals. His advocacy extends beyond the written word, as he works to reform the criminal justice system and improve the lives of marginalized communities. Betts’ profound contributions to both the arts and social justice make him a transformative figure in contemporary America.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is an acclaimed actress and activist whose work spans television, film, and theater. Born in Mississippi, she has garnered critical acclaim for her powerful performances in projects like King Richard, If Beale Street Could Talk, and The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel. Ellis-Taylor is known for her ability to portray complex, multifaceted characters, often highlighting the strength and resilience of Black women throughout history.
Beyond her acting career, Ellis-Taylor is a passionate advocate for social justice. She played a significant role in the campaign to remove the Confederate emblem from the Mississippi state flag, using her platform to fight for racial equality. Her commitment to civil rights continues in her upcoming portrayal of Fannie Lou Hamer in the biopic Fannie, where she will bring the story of the iconic civil rights leader to life. Ellis-Taylor’s dedication to both the arts and activism makes her a powerful voice for change.
JOHN ROBERT LEWIS
Congressman Steny Hoyer is a distinguished American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Maryland’s 5th congressional district since 1981. A prominent member of the Democratic Party, Congressman Hoyer has played a pivotal role in shaping policy and advancing progressive causes throughout his career. He has held key leadership positions, including serving as House Majority Leader from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023, making him one of the most influential Democrats in Congress.
Born in New York City, Congressman Hoyer was raised in Maryland, where he would go on to earn a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Maryland and a law degree from Georgetown University. His political career began in the Maryland State Senate, where he became the youngest president in its history.
Congressman Hoyer has been a fierce advocate for civil rights, economic equality, and healthcare reform. Throughout his time in Congress, he has worked to protect Social Security, support voting rights, and champion job creation through infrastructure investment. Known for his bipartisan approach to governance, Congressman Hoyer has built a reputation for working across the aisle to achieve meaningful legislative progress.
With over four decades of public service, Congressman Hoyer remains committed to advancing the welfare of his constituents and the nation as a whole, particularly in his home state of Maryland.
Isisara Bey s Artistic Director, curating themes, panels, performances and exhibits at the intersection of history, culture and the arts. She has worked with the Apollo Theater, Women of the World Festival, V-WISE, NY Public Radio, Count Me In, NY SummerStage, NJ PAC, the State Department’s Pathways to Prosperity, and Vital Voices.
She leads workshops and retreats in mindset, leadership, culture and communications. She is certified with The Empowerment Institute, and has trained extensively with Pathways, LRT, Pax, School of Womanly Arts, Landmark, The Moorish School, Chopra Center and Dispenza Unlimited.
Isisara was a corporate executive for Sony Pictures and Sony Music. She began as a radio personality and TV news producer. She has a BA in Theater and an MA in Media from Antioch University.
Saniya Pearson is a 16-year-old International Baccalaureate student at Central High School. In January, she earned the title of 2024 Prince George’s County Youth Poet Laureate. She is the Executive Board President of her school, a mock trial defense attorney, a National Honors Society Member, and a varsity tennis player. As Prince George’s County’s Youth Poet Laureate, Saniya has performed her socially-conscious and uplifting pieces nationwide. Notable performances include the Kennedy Center’s What’s Going on NOW (the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On album) and In Search of Silence, the Washington Performing Art’s Cotton series, Take Back the Night (a domestic violence survivor event) sponsored by the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center, and an impromptu performance on the Senate floor at the Maryland General Assembly.
She recently won 1st place in the Drama Category at the Links, Inc. national conference. Saniya has been recognized by the Prince George’s County School Board, receiving the Unsung Hero Award and the Senate of Maryland receiving a Resolution and Official Citation for her poetic work
Jonathan Capehart | MASTER OF CEREMONIES | Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jonathan Capehart is anchor of The Saturday Show and The Sunday Show on MSNBC. He is Associate Editor at The Washington Post, where he is also an opinion writer, hosts the Capehart podcast and anchors The Post ’s weekly streaming show First Look. He is also an analyst on The PBS NewsHour.
Capehart was deputy editorial page editor of the New York Daily News (2002-2004) and served on its editorial board (1993-2000). His editorial campaign in 1999 to save the Apollo Theater earned the board the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing. His memoir Black Boys Like Me will be published in May 2025.
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell has represented Michigan’s 6th congressional district since 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, Congresswoman Dingell succeeded her late husband, Congressman John Dingell, continuing the Dingell family’s long legacy of public service. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Congresswoman Dingell has been a lifelong advocate for workers’ rights, healthcare reform, and environmental protection.
Prior to her time in Congress, she had a distinguished career in the automotive industry and philanthropy, serving in senior roles at General Motors and as chair of the General Motors Foundation. In Congress, she has been a vocal advocate for affordable healthcare, women’s rights, and policies to combat climate change. She is also known for her work on bipartisan legislation, particularly on issues related to manufacturing and auto industry innovation.
As a strong voice for Michigan, Congresswoman Dingell continues to push for policies that benefit working families, promote economic fairness, and protect the environment.
Lawrence Duncan III is a Democratic government affairs expert, strategic advisor, and corporate attorney representing Fortune 500 companies and national trade associations in D.C.
He is a partner at Monument Advocacy where he provides strategic advice, legislative advocacy, and counsel to clients across multiple business sectors. He leads Monument’s DEI practice, advising clients and C-Suite executives on diversity and inclusion issues, crisis management, and strategic engagement.
Before Monument, Larry was founder and president of Potomac Policy Advisors, worked for more than 15 years in the defense aerospace industry, and practiced for 7 years at two major D.C. law firms. He holds a B.A. in Government from Harvard University and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Professor Hoke S. Glover III is a poet and non-fiction writer living in Lanham, Maryland. He teaches at Bowie State University in the Department of Language, Literature, and Cultural Studies.
Prior to that he founded and co-owned Karibu Books, an African-American bookstore chain that operated in the Washington metropolitan area. His work has been published in Crab Orchard Review, African-American Review, Ploughshares, Beltway Quarterly, and other journals.
He has written two books of poetry: Inheritance and One Shoe Marching Towards Heaven. He is also co-author of Crazy as Hell: The Best Little Guide to Black History with V. Efua Prince. Currently he is working on a book of essays called The Wuhan Soundtrack which combines memoir and essays that map synergies between Chinese “yin” culture and African-American culture.
Joanne Irby A longtime executive in the private and non-profit sectors, Joanne Irby has had rich experiences leading business operations, strategic planning, organizational development, and talent strategies for a range of mission-driven organizations. She actively provides advice and counsel to visionary leaders on their journey to building something bigger than themselves.
Prior roles include serving as COO of Raben, a national public affairs and organizational consulting firm, and COO of Prosperity Now, an advocacy organization focused on expanding economic opportunity to low and moderate income communities.
Joanne has served on the boards of multiple nonprofits, including the National Employment Lawyers Association National Institute for Workers’ Rights, Inspired Teaching Demonstration School, and the nonprofit financial intermediary Resource Impact.
Melissa Maxfield is the Senior Strategic Advisor for Federal Government & Corporate Affairs at Comcast NBCUniversal. In this role, she advises Comcast executives on legislative and political issues concerning Congress, the Administration, and national politics, working directly with Comcast’s Chief Legal Officer, Tom Reid. She has a long-standing relationship with key members of Congress and oversees special corporate projects. Prior to her current role, she headed Federal Government Affairs at Comcast, where she began in 2003. Before joining Comcast, Maxfield worked as the top political staffer for Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and held positions with Senators Bob Kerrey and Bill Nelson.
Melissa has been recognized as one of Washington’s top corporate lobbyists by The Hill and as one of Washingtonian’s 100 Most Powerful Women. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and is active in several charitable organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club and the March of Dimes.
Robert Raben works to drive public policy in a humane and sensible direction; to bring diversity and equity to the boardrooms, think tanks, and corporations of America. Through the private sector and civil society, he sees his job as the shifting of power to women, people of color, the disabled, and others too often left out.
With a career spanning counsel to the House Judiciary Committee, running a division of the Department of Justice, and now 20 years in the private sector growing The Raben Group, he is a leader with the intellect, capacity, and courage to make things happen.
DJ Tryfe, born from the rich tapestry of Cuban heritage and molded by the dynamic heart of Texas, embarked on his sonic journey fresh from the halls of Howard University. Fusing southern flair with east coast edge, TRYFE crafts an electrifying soundscape that resonates coast to coast. His performances are a symphony of charisma and rhythm, a testament to his belief that music should transcend mere soundwaves and morph into an unforgettable experience. “If it ain’t TRYFE, it ain’t right,” isn’t just a tagline; it’s a manifesto of musical excellence that has echoed in venues across the globe.
Esteemed by industry titans and celebrities alike, his collaborations read like a roll call of fame— Lil’ Kim, Lil Nas X, Serena Williams, Jermaine Dupri, Paris Hilton, Google, TIME magazine, Amazon, the Congressional Black Caucus, and The White House. Behind the “1s and 2s,” TRYFE transforms any event into a pulsating, unforgettable celebration of life and sound.
Congressman Bennie G. Thompson has represented Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1993. A native of Bolton, Mississippi, he is a lifelong advocate for civil rights, inspired by his work with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) during his time at Tougaloo College. As the longest-serving African American official in Mississippi’s history, Congressman Thompson has spent his career championing the rights of underserved communities.
His leadership includes serving as the first Democratic Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee and, most notably, leading the Select Committee investigating the January 6th Capitol attack. Congressman Thompson’s local service began as a mayor and Hinds County supervisor, focusing on improving infrastructure and services for Mississippi residents. A dedicated civil rights advocate, Congressman Thompson is also a recipient of the 2023 NAACP Chairman’s Award. He is married to London Johnson and enjoys gardening, reading, and blues music.
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.
— Maya Angelou
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
SOPHIA LYNN & DAVID FREDERICK
ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT
THE STORYTELLERS OF THE 2024 MARCH ON FESTIVAL
Mastercard is proud to sponsor the 2024 March on Washington Film Festival and Awards Gala.
At Amazon, we’re committed to upholding a culture of inclusion and equity for our employees, customers, and neighbors.
Our ability to grow and innovate relies on the perspectives and knowledge of people from all backgrounds. Together with March on Washington Film Festival we’re helping build a future that is inclusive, diverse, and accessible to all.
To learn more, visit aboutamazon.com
CELEBRATES THE DIVERSE VOICES OF THE 2O24
“...remembering (the) crucial chapter (of the Civil Rights Act) in American history reminds us that further progress is always possible so long as Americans are willing to push for it.”
— STENY HOYER
CONGRATULATIONS TO STENY HOYER ON RECEIVING THE JOHN ROBERT LEWIS LIFETIME LEGACY AWARD FROM MELISSA MAXFIELD
We March for the Movement.
We are a proud sponsor of the 2024 March on Washington Film Festival and celebrate its diversity in storytelling.
ROBERT RABEN FOUNDER
JOANNE IRBY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ISISARA BEY
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
STEFANIE CRUZ
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
BLACK DIGITAL GROUP
BRAND & ARTISTIC DESIGN
BLACK DIGITAL GROUP
WEB & DIGITAL MARKETING
IMARA CANADY
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
LEIGH DAVIS
FESTIVAL PRODUCER
RALPH SANTORA
OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
TKEBAN JAHANNES
VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT
KIMBALL STROUD & ASSOCIATES
FUNDRAISING CONSULTANTS
OPAL HOPE BENNETT
EMERGING & STUDENT
FILMMAKER COMPETITIONS
AJA Q. EVANS
VR SALON CURATOR
JEN LEE REEVES
REGISTRATION & CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS
JIM TAGLAUER
TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY
EACH DAY COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS
CHRISTOPHER DOWNING
TECHNICAL PRODUCTION MANAGER
IBONEE PERRY, CHERU ROBINSON, LAURYN FRASER
FINANCE & ACCOUNTING
PURPLE PEOPLE MEDIA
VIDEOGRAPHER
NEFERTITI ANDERSON
KEN BASS
KRISTINA BROADIE JETER
HODARI DAVIS
JODIE MCLEAN
KIMBALL STROUD, LIZ SIZER, MARIE SMEALLIE, BRANDON TUSKES
GALA PRODUCTION
REVOLUTION EVENTS
DÉCOR, FABRICATION, & LINE PRODUCTION
GET PLATED CATERING
EDENS & THE UNION MARKET DISTRICT VENUE PARTNER
NICOLE M. BACKUS
CREATIVE DIRECTION & DESIGN
SAGE & OAK STUDIOS FLORAL
DANIEL SWARTZ PHOTOGRAPHER
BRENDAN KOWNACKI
VIDEOGRAPHER
MJ VALET VALET
MAZI A. E. MUTAFA
JULIE SHANKLIN
Google is proud to support the March On Festival
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