The Turkish Embassy hosted an exclusive soiree honoring the chiefs of staff of the Congressional Black Caucus members. The reception was held after the annual CBC gala dinner.
Suggested Reading
Two of the most influential chiefs of staff on the Hill, Tracie Pough, chief of staff to Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-Fla.), and Yebbie Watkins, chief of staff to Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.).
DNC's National Press Secretary Melanie Roussell with Ronald Newman, legal advisor at the U.S. State Department.
Rep. Terri Sewell's chief of staff Nichole Francis Reynolds and her husband, Fred Reynolds III. Sewell (D-Ala.) is a freshman member of Congress.
CBC chief of staff Carrie Kohns and her husband Daniel Kohns attend the reception at the Turkish Embassy. Prior to her appointment with Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Carrie served as chief of staff to former D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty.
Mikael Moore, chief of staff for Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), and CBC Communications Director Stephanie Young.
The Root's D.C. Insider Nicole Venable with Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Calif.).
Before the Turkish Embassy soiree, President Barack Obama spoke to a crowd of 5,000 at the main event — the 41st Annual Phoenix Awards Dinner at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. The attendees were a mix of CBC members, administration officials, state and local legislators, Hill staffers, politicos and other stakeholders interested in the CBC's legislative agenda.
42 members of the Congressional Black Caucus at the Annual Awards Gala dinner held at the Washington Convention Center. (Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) did not participate.)
Southern Company's Leroy Nix with The Root's D.C. Insider Nicole Venable at the CBC gala dinner. Southern Company hosted the CBC reception with Essence magazine on Friday evening, during which guests were serenaded by El DeBarge.
The president and the first lady "wowed" at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Gala dinner.
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Executive Director Angela Rye; Hill staffer Keidra King (Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.); Virgil Miller, chief of staff to Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.); and Bethany Williams.
The Root's D.C. Insider Nicole Venable with Harry E. Johnson Sr., president and CEO of the MLK National Memorial Project Foundation.
Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. enjoys the "Rendevous on Bourbon" Louisiana CBC reception at SAX Restaurant & Lounge in D.C.
Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) enjoys the Louisiana reception with Nicole Venable.
John Howell, pictured with Kimberly Bassett, the executive director of the Wireless Foundation, and AT&T executive Marie Long.
Nicole Venable with Eric Peterson, vice president of diversity at General Motors, and GM executive Aquila Powell at the "Motown" reception honoring the CBC members from Michigan. Guests were treated to a performance from R&B artist Ledisi.
The Diva Lounge honored "Women in Politics & Civil Service" during CBC Week. Honoree Donna Byrd, publisher of The Root, poses with marketing and public relations strategist Maurisa Potts.
Obama-administration officials Nia Phillips (Department of Education) and Karen Richardson (White House), pictured at the Diva Lounge reception. Karen was honored as an extraordinary woman in civil service.
The Root's D.C. insider, Nicole Venable, with Jonathan McDaniel, an actor in town for a CBC Week private screening of Robert Townsend's In the Hive, co-starring Vivica A. Fox and Loretta Devine.
Former staffers often connect with former bosses at CBC. Pictured here: Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) and former staffer-turned-politico Melanie Alvord of Motorola Solutions.
Henry Stewart, former Hill staffer Kanya Bennett and Yul Edwards, chief of staff for Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), attend a reception at the Recording Industry Association of America.
City Year Washington, D.C., Executive Director Jeff Franco and one of City Year's teaching volunteers attend the Girl Scout CBC luncheon.
Teen Girl Scout Jillian Ross and Rainbow PUSH's Executive Director Kimberly Marcus at the Girl Scout Lunch, highlighting a new Girl Scouts' report on young women and leadership, "The Resilience Factor."
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation provides an author forum during its conference. Author Tayari Jones talks with CBC participants about her new book, Silver Sparrow.
Freshman CBC member Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) attended a reception honoring Alabama at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. One of the earthly stars out that evening was American Idol winner Ruben Studdard. Later, guests were treated to a set by Morris Day and the Time.
The Root hosted a CBC reception with leaders of the organization Impact at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, where guests got a sneak peek at the "30 Americans" exhibit.
The Root's Nicole Venable with the creator and editor-in-chief of the Fab Empire, Joi-Marie McKenzie.
Corcoran Gallery executive Rachel Cothran and Root contributor and author of Bitch Is the New Black Helena Andrews, with Rob Dyer.
The Root's Joel Dreyfuss; Brian Kenner, chief of staff for Washington, D.C.'s deputy mayor for planning and economic development; and The Root DC journalist Christopher Jenkins.
The Root's Nicole Venable with Sister 2 Sister Publisher Jamie Foster Brown, Paul Wharton and Omarosa Manigault at BET's Black Girls Rock! after-party at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.