The White House Blog

Below is a message from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation regarding this year's Phoenix Awards Dinner:

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) today announced President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend the Annual Phoenix Awards Dinner Saturday, September 24, 2011. The dinner concludes the Foundation’s 41st Annual Legislative Conference (ALC).  President Obama is scheduled to address more than 3,000 expected attendees at the evening’s event.

Four distinguished individuals will receive the prestigious Phoenix Awards, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson; U.S. Representative and civil rights activist John Lewis; athlete and humanitarian George Edward Foreman, Sr; and civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery. President Obama himself was the recipient of the Phoenix Award in 2008, which recognizes individuals for their efforts and accomplishments that have made significant contributions to society, and symbolizes the immortality of the human spirit and an eternal desire to reach its full potential.

In addition, the six surviving founders of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) will be honored during the evening, in recognition of the 40th anniversary of CBC. Actor and activist Hill Harper and WJLA veteran evening news anchor Maureen Bunyan will serve as co-emcees.

Visit the CBCF website to learn more about the Phoenix Awards Dinner.