Jan. 6, 2013

Black Church and Youth Balls Among D.C. Inaugural Galas
By Afro American Newspapers and Trice Edney News Wire

Pernessa Seele is founder/CEO, The Balm in Gilead

Jermaine Crawford, founder, Code Blue

(TriceEdneyWire.com)- The leaders of African American churches will, once again, convene in Washington, D.C. on Inauguration Weekend to commemorate one of the most extraordinary events in American history – the second term and inauguration of President Obama, America’s first president of African descent.

In an inaugural ball to be held Jan. 20, the gala celebration will mark the historic event and honor the Keepers of the Flame recipients, individuals whose lifetime achievements and contributions to society and culture have contributed to the realization of this moment in time.

“For certain, the African American Church must mark this moment with great pride, honor and power. For today, we stand on the shoulders of so many who bled and died for this moment of witness, of which we consecrate with our joy and commitment to continue to fight for equality and justice for all,” according to the organizers’ mission statement on the African American Church Inaugural Ball website. The Black church ball, to be held at the Grand Hyatt Washington, is a sequel to the premiere event in 2009 and will feature leaders from the religious, civic, business, arts, and entertainment communities.

Separately, a H.O.P.E. Inaugural Youth Ball, to be held Jan. 20 at the newly renovated historic Howard Theatre, will mark the occasion with a benefit for homeless teens. Jermaine Crawford, visionary of the event, is best known for his starring role on the critically acclaimed HBO series The Wire. He played Duquan “Dukie” Weems, a homeless teen on the callous streets of Baltimore. While playing the character, Jermaine “was inspired to be a voice for his peers whose reality was that of which he only portrayed,” states an announcement from the organization.

Crawford founded Code Blue nearly five years ago. It is an organization that focuses on bringing solutions to eradicate the youth homeless problem. Crawford held a similar ball for President Obama’s first inauguration.

This year, he is holding the late afternoon ball in partnership with Out of the Box Design, Inc., a D.C.-based event decoration and design company, headed by Wanda Crawford, Out of the Box’s executive director.

“The Ball gives youth the opportunity to share in the inaugural festivities surrounding the swearing in of President Barack Obama and join with the rest of the nation in honoring his example of moving FORWARD,” said the release. “The Ball promises to be an evening of family-friendly elegance and entertainment. There will be souvenir photographs, celebrity appearances, performances and much more!”

Code Blue quotes statistics from national homeless agencies saying 1.8 million youth become homeless each year across the U. S. Proceeds from the event will be donated to The Sasha Bruce Youthwork. Sasha Bruce focuses on meeting the urgent needs of homeless youth and their families in Washington D.C. Past celebrity guests for the H.O.P.E Inaugural Ball were recording artist Wynter Gordon, comedian Dave Chappelle and musician Fredric Yonnet.

For more information about the H.O.P.E Inaugural Ball 2013, contact Wanda Crawford at 301.485.9565 or go to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Black church ball, themed, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” will honor leaders with the “2013 Keepers of the Flame” Award. The recipients are individuals who have sustained an unshakable commitment to our future and who have earned an undeniable place in the African American book of history. Confirmed honorees include: Muhammad Ali; Bishop George E. Battle, Jr.; Bishop Philip R. Cousin, Sr.; Andraé Crouch; Ed Dwight; Joycelyn Elders, MD; Bishop William H. Graves, Sr.; Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale; Hugh Masekela; Rev. Dr. Otis J. Moss, Jr.; Jessye Norman; Beny Primm, MD, and Cicely Tyson.

Other honorees to be confirmed include: The Honorable Andrew Young, Hon. William J. Clinton, Ruby Dee, Aretha Franklin, Rev. Dr. Cain Hope Felder, Rev. Dr. Katie Cannon, and Dr. Vernon J. Jordan, Sr.

In 2009, distinguished honorees included: Dr. Maya Angelou, Donna Brazile, Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, Dr. Marian Wright Edelman, Dr. John Hope Franklin, Earl Graves, Sr., Rev. Dr. William H. Gray, III, Bishop Barbara Harris, Dr. Dorothy I. Height, The Honorable Alexis Herman, Rev. Dr. Benjamin Hooks, Congressman John Lewis, Rev. Joseph Lowery, Marc Morial, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Gardner Taylor, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker Sr.

“This inauguration is an extraordinary mark in American history, punctuated by those who so gallantly served so we could see such a time,” said Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, II, Inaugural Ball Chair and pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon, NY. “This is certainly a time when the African American church community can be proud of its contributions to this great country and honor the work that has been done and those who have made an indelible footprint in the sands of history.”

The executive producer is Pernessa Seele, founder and CEO of The Balm In Gilead, Inc., the gala’s fundraising beneficiary. The Balm In Gilead, a nonprofit, international organization, is committed to a dynamic, community-driven approach, contributing a lasting response to health disparities and ensuring that African Americans will become fully knowledgeable about the Affordable Care Act.

“This African American Church Inaugural Ball not only celebrates history and President Obama’s second term, it also honors the work that he has enacted, such as The Affordable Care Act, an essential tool for decreasing the rates of preventable diseases in African American communities,” Seele said in a statement.

For more information on the African American Church Inaugural Ball, visit www.AACIB.org. For more information on Pernessa Seele and The Balm In Gilead, visit www.balmingilead.org. The Media should contact UniWorld Group, Inc. – Teresa Lyles Holmes, (212) 219-7239, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or Camille Gray, (212) 219-7121, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..