It's official. The holiday reception season has started in the nation's capital. Politicos, local entrepreneurs, Hill staff and socialites will be all around town in the next three weeks participating in social-philanthropic events. Politicos, Capitol Hill staffers, journalists and White House appointees gathered at L2 Lounge in Georgetown to network and toast the holidays. Here, The Root's D.C. insider, Nicole Venable, poses at L2 with Jeff Ballou, a journalist with Al Jazeera English.
Barry Downs, Kimberly Brown and Commerce Department political appointee and host of the L2 reception, Todd Valentine.
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Former White House politico Miti Sathe with current White House politico Karen Richardson.
Bloomberg News' Katarro Rountree, Avital Barnea and politico Jesse Price.
The D.C. Metro chapter of the Twelve Days of Christmas, Inc., held its annual holiday Party With a Purpose at Opera Ultra Lounge on Dec. 1. This group of 27 prominent Washington women raised more than $22,000 to help provide holiday toys and necessities to 20 area families in need and more than 60 children. In 2011 they raised more than $35,000 and provided services for more than 90 children.
Politico Ed Hubbard with John Burns, Obama political appointee Todd Valentine and A. Dennis Baxter II.
Ellen Williams and Dr. Sharon Malone, wife of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Malone's practice, Foxhall OB-GYN, was a primary sponsor of the event.
Three of the Twelve Days hostesses: Dr. Lynne Lightfoote, Candice Bristow and Chinyere Hubbard of Events D.C.
Stephanie Wiggins, president of the D.C. Metro chapter of the Twelve Days of Christmas, with other hostesses Cherie Halyard and Erica Jefferson.
The Root's D.C. insider, Nicole Venable, with politicos Jesse Price and Marie Long.
Insight America, a nonprofit that provides training and other support to conservative minority staffers on Capitol Hill, sponsored the second annual Boots & Blue Jeans BBQ and Bonfire on Nov. 19. The event brought together African-American, Asian and Hispanic staffers who work for Republicans in Congress together with K Street politicos for networking. This year, the event was bipartisan.
CNN analyst Roland Martin shares a fun moment with former Republican National Committee Chairman and contributing editor to The Root, Michael Steele.
Politico Earle Jones of Comcast with former Republican Rep. J. C. Watts.
CBC Hill staffer Eyang Garrison (office of Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.)) with her husband, D.C. politico Shaun Garrison.
Republican Senate staffer Brandon Andrews (office of Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.)) with Miss D.C. International 2011, Allison Hill.
Kim Bassett pictured with co-host of the event, former Rep. Ron Dellums. Dellums recently joined former Rep. J.C. Watts as Vice Chairman of Watts Partners in D.C.
Guests participated in a contest that measured boot authenticity and presentation.
The Links, Incorporated, celebrated its 65th anniversary with a night of glamour at the Marriott Wardman Park on Nov. 12. The event raised $2 million that will go toward the completion of the new national headquarters building in D.C. and to community-service programs sponsored by the National Links Foundation. The evening included the awarding of the first Links Medal to Ebony magazine. Pictured here is The Root's D.C. insider, Link Nicole Venable, with fellow Links Judith Batty and Sela Collins.
National President Margot James Copeland (center), pictured here with the Leadership Team for the National Links, Incorporated, organization and the evening's honoree, Linda Johnson Rice (fourth from right), chairman of Johnson Publishing Co., and Desiree Rogers (third from left), CEO of Johnson Publishing Co.
Johnson Publishing Co. CEO Desiree Rogers, Link Loretta Polk and the chairman of Johnson Publishing Co., Linda Johnson Rice.
Link Vivian Pickard, president of the GM Foundation, with House Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Link Shuanise Washington.
Pictured here are the living past and current national presidents of the Links, Incorporated, including National Link President Margot James Copeland (far right).
Lynn Johns, Potomac Chapter, daughter-in-law of Marie Johns, deputy administrator of the Small Business Administration and former D.C. mayoral candidate.
Former Sen. Chuck Robb with one of his daughters, Jennifer Robb. Robb is married to Lynda Johnson Robb, one of President Lyndon B. Johnson's daughters.
A mix of politicos, executives and prominent Washingtonians were invited out to a private preview on Oct. 27 of "The Black List" at the National Portrait Gallery. This groundbreaking photography exhibit honors 50 prominent African Americans and their many contributions to the American experience. (The exhibition marks the first time that all 50 photos are shown together.) The luminaries, who represent a wide spectrum of the African-American experience, come from the fields of government, entertainment, civil rights, sports and the arts. Forest Whitaker, Hill Harper, Ambassador Susan Rice, BET's Debra L. Lee and Dr. Michael Lomax are just a few of the honorees who attended the preview.
A photo portrait of BET CEO Debra L. Lee is included in "The Black List." The honoree is shown here with CBS News political analyst Jamal Simmons.
With all the burdens of being House Democratic minority leader and a member of the "super committee" tasked with reducing the deficit, James Clyburn (D-S.C.) — seen here with Lauren Price from public-affairs agency Powell Tate — still finds time to share his wisdom and experience with young people.
D.C. power couple Art and Sela Collins.
Guests mingling at "The Black List" exhibition.
The positive vibe was provided by one of D.C.'s best-known DJs, Adrian Loving.
"The Black List" honoree Hill Harper with reception guest Derrick Heggans.
The Executive Leadership Council celebrated its 25th anniversary at its Annual Recognition Dinner Gala in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 20. Event hosts Al Roker and Deborah Roberts honored industry visionaries Hazel O'Leary — former Clinton administration energy secretary and now president of Fisk University — and Xerox Corp. Chairman and CEO Ursula Burns. The ELC is one of the nation's premier leadership organizations whose more than 500 members are the most senior African-American executives in Fortune 500 companies.
The Root Publisher Donna Byrd with Sales Director Michael Clark.
Guests were treated to a performance by Diana Ross and an after-party reception featuring Kool and the Gang.
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk with GM's Aquila Powell (left) and The Root's D.C. insider, Nicole Venable. Ambassador Kirk led the Obama administration's recent efforts to pass trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea and Panama.
ELC member Barry Granger, head of the Washington government-affairs office of Kevlar maker DuPont, with Delaware Family Court Commissioner Bernard Pepukayi.
After an almost 15-year hiatus, the Morehouse Tigers and Howard Bison rekindled their historic football rivalry at the AT&T Nation's Football Classic in Washington, D.C. Off the field, the weekend was filled with social events and panel discussions, teeming with mingling coeds, dueling alumni and even a few celebs flaunting their school spirit. On the field, the Morehouse Tigers lost to Howard's Bison 30-27.
President of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College Deidra Fryer stands with D.C. alumna Rhonda Waller at the Pepsi MAX Fan Festival tent.
Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns actor and D.C. native Lamman Rucker attends the AT&T Nation's Football Classic pregame festivities.
DJ Biz Markie poses with hip-hop artists Nice & Smooth and Brand Nubian at the Pepsi MAX Fan Festival stage, kicking off the day's pregame festivities.
Morehouse alum Fonzworth Bentley is flanked by The Root's publisher, Donna Byrd (left), and marketing strategist Maci Peterson.
D.C. "real housewife" and Howard alum Stacie Turner poses with Karen Horton, a Spelman College alum, at the postgame tailgate.
A number of Spelman-Morehouse couples came out to enjoy the weekend's festivities. Pictured here is political analyst Jamal Simmons with financial analyst Ayanna Dunn.
President of Howard University Sidney A. Ribeau delivers greetings at the weekend's president's reception.
The Root's D.C. insider, Nicole Venable, is flanked by fellow Spelman alum and Delta Sigma Theta sisters.
The drum majors from Howard and Morehouse joined the marching band from D.C.'s Ballou High School to kick off the festivities at RFK Stadium.
Martin Luther King III poses with D.C. politico Evony Blake and Cheron Hines at the International Salute Gala on Aug. 24 at the National Building Museum in Washington. The gala was part of a series of events leading up to a now-postponed dedication for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial on the mall. The dedication will be rescheduled for September or October.
Dr. Ed Jackson Jr. is the executive architect of the MLK Memorial Building Project. He's pictured here with Lei Yixin, the Chinese sculptor who created the memorial statue.
Harry E. Johnson Sr., president and CEO of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc., with Madeleine Albright and Linda Ross. Johnson presented Albright with an award on behalf of the foundation at the gala.
The Root's D.C. insider, Nicole Venable, with columnist and political commentator Roland S. Martin.
Stevie Wonder greeted guests at the gala and then sang "Visions" in honor of King.
Fitting with the international theme of the gala, India.Arie serenaded guests and was accompanied by Idan Raichel, an Israeli-born singer-songwriter-musician, and D.C.-based jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet.
Members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity descended on D.C. July 27-31 to celebrate the fraternity's Centennial Celebration. Omega men could be seen all around the nation's capital — here is a group from Hampton University.
Brothers of Omega Psi Phi, also known as Ques, were in full force as they celebrated their fraternity's centennial celebration in D.C. Crowds filled the Washington Convention Center and hotels throughout the district.
Many Ques donned a distinctive purple-and-gold tee highlighting their Omega pride. The T-shirts were an unofficial uniform throughout the centennial celebration.
The Root's D.C. insider, Nicole Venable, stands with Morehouse College alum, proud Omega and Washington politico Robert Drummer.
Spelman College Deltas Felicia Sadler, Nicole Venable, Kim Graffe Jackson and Shaunte Roberts pose during an Omega event.
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) and Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.) took a break from their busy Congressional schedules to show their Omega pride.
Yebbie Watkins, chief of staff to the House Assistant Minority Leader James Clyburn (D-S.C.), stands with a fellow Duke University Que at an Omega event.
D.C. politico Joe Askew and some of his chapter brothers host the Purple, Red and Pink reception.
The Washington Government Relations Group is the nation's oldest organization for African-American government-relations professionals. The WGRG Tin Cup Awards honor individuals with a proven commitment to the enrichment and promotion of diversity. Proceeds from the awards dinner go to minority college students in the fields of political science and public administration.
WGRG members David Morgan and Rodney Slater, former transportation secretary, were among the presenters at the awards ceremony, which took place July 13, 2011, at the House of Sweden.
FedEx's Gina Adams, with Viacom's DeDe Lea, was also one of the night's President's Award recipients.
WGRG member David Morgan presents Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) with the Adam Clayton Powell Award.
The Root contributor Nicole Venable stands with President's Award honoree R. Lucia Riddle.
President's Award honoree Gina Adams with Art Collins and his wife, Sela Ward Collins.
WGRG held a pre-awards reception at the House of Sweden in Georgetown. WGRG's experience and expertise allows them to provide strategic advice on a host of legislative issues before Congress and the Obama administration.
Howlie Davis and DeDe Lea received the ceremony's President's Award.
WGRG Dinner Chair Chaka Burgess with Isaac Fordjor and former Florida Rep. Kendrick Meek.
Atlas Award recipient Anita Estell stands with politico Randy Broz.
The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation hosted its 14th annual "Spirit of Democracy Awards Black & White Gala" on May 18, 2011, at 6 p.m. at the Renaissance Washington, D.C., Hotel. The awards are presented to individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a consistent commitment to making civic participation a cultural responsibility and tradition. Star Jones hosted the event.
Captions and photographs by Nicole Venable
Candyice Mitchell pictured here with D.C. activist Eugene Dewitt Kinlow of DC Vote.
Melanie L. Campbell, executive director of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation.
The Rev. Al Sharpton was one of the night's honorees.
Fab Empire Editor Joi-Marie McKenzie and Mia Fields-Hall pose at Washington Life Magazine's annual Young and the Guest List party at Longview Gallery on May 20, 2011.
Donnell Kearney, Charles Paret and Monarch Magazine's newest style editor, Paul Wharton.
Local Top Chef Spike Mendelsohn with The Root's D.C. insider, Nicole Venable, and Patrick Wixted at the YGL party.
The Washington Lobbyist blogger Michael Woestehoff, Donnell Kearney, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center's Chinyere Hubbard, celebrity event planner Andre Wells and Lynne Lightfoote.
Johnnetta B. Cole, executive director of the NMAfA, enjoys the beat of the African drum.
Kadida Thiero shows off her authentic garb. The African Art museum offered traditional African head wrapping at the Africa Underground event.
On May 20, 2011, the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art held its second installment of Africa Underground, highlighting the Diaspora in the Caribbean. The event was an indoor-outdoor Caribbean festival, complete with reggae bands, African dancers and drummers, stilt walkers and street food found throughout the West Indies. Nearly 1,000 Washingtonians partied the night away at this special event.
Traci Slater-Riguad, Marie Nelson, Naomi Walker and Desy Osunsade Carten at Africa Undergound.
D.C.'s fashionistas know to call Hu's Wear Fashion Stylist Dwayne Brice and Michelle Obama's hairstylist, Johnnie Wright, when it's time for a special event. They're shown here with Christopher G. Johnson.
The stars were out Saturday night in D.C. after the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. Here's actor Wendell Pierce on the red carpet at the Capitol File-Creative Coalition after-party.
The Root's D.C. insider, Nicole Venable, with actor Omar Epps.
Actor Marlon Wayans with D.C.-area doctor Lynne Lightfoote.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder with his wife, Dr. Sharon Malone.
D.C.'s "Fashion Delegate" Jennifer Fisher (in blue) with Krystal Yoseph of Capitol File, America's Next Top Model star Bianca Chardei and fashion designer Deidre Jeffries.
Media professionals gathered at the Hay-Adams Hotel April 29 for an event hosted by Voto Latino, a civic-engagement organization co-founded by actress Rosario Dawson.
The Root's D.C. insider, Nicole Venable, with Voto Latino co-founder actress Rosario Dawson.
White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett and her daughter Lauren (in black) with a guest.
White House adviser Mike Strautmanis and wife Demona Strautmanis with Nicole Venable and Yebbie Watkins, chief of staff to U.S. House Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn (D-S.C.).
National President Margot James Copeland (center), pictured here with the Leadership Team for the National Links, Incorporated, organization and the evening's honoree, Linda Johnson Rice (fourth from right), chairman of Johnson Publishing Co., and Desiree Rogers (third from left), CEO of Johnson Publishing Co.
Henry Stewart with NFL player Dhani Jones, who has his own show on the Travel Channel.
NBC's Parks and Recreation star Rashida Jones with White House adviser Karen Richardson.
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