Celebration of Leadership in the Fine Arts To Honor Student Scholarship Winners
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) and the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses recognized the contributions of three icons in the arts, as well as students pursuing careers and opportunities in those areas during the 16th Annual Celebration of Leadership in the Fine Arts on September 19 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. This year’s honorees are Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones(Shown Above), gospel artist; Kenny Leon, theatrical director; and Tayari Jones, author.
Dr. Jones, best known as the host and executive producer of Bobby Jones Gospel which has aired on BET since 1980, performs all styles of gospel music. The Bobby Jones Gospel Radio Show and The Bobby Jones Gospel Countdown, are favorites of gospel music lovers.
In 2010 award-winning director Mr. Leon’s Broadway show ‘Fences’ garnered 10 Tony nominations, including Best Director, the most nominations ever for a play revival, set box office records and received the Tony award for best Revival of a Play, Best Actor and Best Actress. Past Tony nominations include, his Broadway productions of ‘Radio Golf’, ‘Gem of the Ocean’ and ‘Raisin In The Sun’, starring Sean Combs, Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald.
Tayari Jones’ first novel, Leaving Atlanta, received best of the year nods from The Washington Post, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and Creative Loafing. Her second book, The Untelling, won the Lillian C. Smith Award from the Southern Regional Council and was a Target Breakout Book.
In addition, 20 undergraduate students will be recognized as scholarship recipients in the performing and visual arts. More than 270 performing and visual arts students applied for CBCF’s National Scholarship Program – an increase of about 57 percent from last year’s applicant pool.
“The Annual Legislative Conference brings together policy-makers, educators, business and industry leaders, celebrities, media, emerging leaders and everyday Americans to discuss and solve issues that are important to all Americans,” said Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer for CBCF. “The conference is recognized as one of the most important gatherings of African-American leaders in the nation. In addition, attendees recognize the importance of what CBCF accomplishes in the community and have supported our efforts to provide scholarships, internships and fellowships, to improve economic parity and to decrease health disparities.”
