White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

LAFAYETTE148 NY GOES TO WASHINGTON TO PREVIEW THEIR SPRING COLLECTION

By

Lafayette148 NY Pop Up Shop Opp at The House at 1229 Marissa Mitrovich, Olivia Igbokwe, Keenan Austin Reed, Susan Fox, Tammy Haddad Helen Milby and Donna Westmoreland

On March 23rd, the Lafayette148 NY fashion team hosted an exclusive engagement and pop-up shop at the House of 1229, a new private women’s club in Washington DC. Distinguished guests in business, government and media joined together to celebrate the arrival of Spring, while enjoying a sneak peek of Lafayette 148 NY’s latest collection. 

Dubbed “Notes on paper,” the collection was inspired by subtle structural forms, a nod to the company’s roots at 148 Lafayette St. in New York City that was at one point a printing press. Guests shared their own anecdotes about the brand, praising how the women-founded and led company has delivered on their needs by staying committed to inclusivity, fit and uncompromised style.

House of 1229 founder, Kathleen Buhle, and the Lafayette 148 NY team, welcomed guests including Irish Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, Yamiche Alcindor, Sophia Bush, Anna Palmer, Liz Johnson, Elizabeth Falcone, Olivia Igbokwe, Helen Milby, Ashley Lerner, Amy Grappone, Michelle Freeman, Ami Aronson, and Adrienne Elrod.

The actress Sophia Bush was a surprise celebrity guest in town for the White House Women’s History Month events.

Nkechi Nneji, Vicky Jordan and Kathleen Buhle at the Lafayette148 pop-up store at The House at 1229 on Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Ami Aronson, Sophia Bush, Rachel Greenberg, Michelle Freeman

“The House at 1229 is a community of women with different backgrounds and experiences who share the same core beliefs. – We continue to grow so long as we remain open and honest. – We encourage diverse perspectives and voices at the table to promote richer conversation. – We recognize that with success comes the responsibility to give back. – We foster meaningful connections as we move into our next chapters.”

Tammy Haddad, Lafayette’s Jen Shields and Carol Schuster, and GM’s Ashley Lerner

White House Historical Association Unveils 2023 Christmas Ornament Inspired by President Ford

By

The White House Historical Association on Wednesday unveiled its official 2023 White House Christmas Ornament – a festive holiday wreath adorned with decorations inspired by the handcrafted Christmas ornaments used in the White House during the administration of President Gerald R. Ford, Jr.

“The ornaments serve as a wonderful teaching tool designed to tell the story of the White House during a specific presidency or anniversary,” said Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association. “Through these collectibles, we’ve been able to further our mission to protect, preserve, and provide public access to the rich history of America’s Executive Mansion.”

According to the White House Historical Association’s description of the ornament: “Small and delicate depictions of dolls, cherubs, doves, stars, flowers, gingerbread men, candles, and pentagon balls decorate the front of the ornament while the back features emblems related to the life and presidency of Gerald R. Ford. President Ford was an eagle scout and an athlete who played on the University of Michigan’s football team.”

The Association’s announcement continues: “While in office, he and Mrs. Ford celebrated the 200th anniversary of America’s founding. The Fords were gifted Liberty, a Golden Retriever puppy, who made the White House her home. Later the USS Gerald R. Ford, the first-in-class aircraft carrier, was commissioned to honor the thirty-eighth president as the flagship of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. These moments are the inspiration for the design of the Official 2023 White House Christmas Ornament.”

The Official White House Christmas Ornament is available at shop.whitehousehistory.org. 

Pallas Foundation Honors Adm. Mike Mullen with Named Homeland Security Scholarship at Anne Arundel Community College

By

The Pallas Foundation announced Friday the launch of a new scholarship program named in honor of Admiral Mike Mullen (Ret.) to serve underrepresented students in the field of homeland security at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC).

The Adm. Mike Mullen Scholarship for National Security Leadership honors the 17th Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff for both President Bush and President Obama from 2007 to 2011, and also as the 28th Chief of Naval Operations from 2005 to 2007. A 1968 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Adm. Mullen was deeply involved in mentoring and promoting officers from diverse backgrounds to help them achieve the highest ranks in the military, the Foundation announced.

Then-Vice President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, Deborah Mullen and U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen observe the honor guard pass and review at the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony, Summerall Field, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Mullen retired after 43 years of service as U.S. Army Gen. Martin Dempsey took over as chairman. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley/Released)

The Mullen Scholarship will directly support the development of emerging leaders in global and national security, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Under the program, each year two students will receive a scholarship to study at AACC from Pallas.

The Pallas Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Pallas Advisors, the strategic advisory firm specializing in navigating complex national and international security dynamics, founded by Sally Donnelly, who was the special assistant to Admiral Mullen as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Sally Donnelly, founder of Pallas Advisors and Pallas Foundation and the former special assistant to Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen (DoD photo)

A fixture in defense and national security, Donnelly also served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense and as Director of the Washington Office for the Commander of U.S. Central Command, both under Gen. James Mattis.

Then-U.S. Defense Secretary Gen. James Mattis (R) gives senior advisor Sally Donnelly (L) a thumbs-up as they discuss their schedule upon arriving via helicopter at Resolute Support headquarters on April 24, 2017 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Mattis was on a regional tour of the Middle East. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst – Pool/Getty Images)

“We are honored to partner with Admiral Mullen on this initiative. His career-long commitment to underrepresented communities perfectly matches the mission of the Pallas Foundation,” said Sally Donnelly, Co-Chair of the Pallas Foundation. “Anne Arundel is a proven leader in the nation’s community college system, and we are grateful for their support.”

Students pursuing degrees in Homeland Security Management, Transportation and Border Security, or Intelligence Analytics are eligible for the scholarship. In addition to the scholarship funds, recipients will also be invited to leadership development events coordinated by the Pallas Foundation.

“We are honored that the Pallas Foundation selected AACC as its first community college to launch the Adm. Mullen Initiative to help prepare more national security leaders for public service and career success,” said Dr. Dawn Lindsay, AACC’s president. “Both organizations are national leaders, so it is a natural fit that will create opportunities for more students.”

“At AACC, we serve an increasingly diverse range of students that this scholarship will help support,” said Darian Senn-Carter, Ed.D., interim director of AACC’s Homeland Security and Criminal Justice Institute. “Thanks to the Pallas Foundation, we will be able to prepare even more talented individuals from underrepresented backgrounds for careers that safeguard our community and our nation.”

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Pallas Foundation aims to foster the education and professional development of emerging leaders from underrepresented groups in global and national security.

Students interested in applying for scholarships at AACC should visit www.aacc.edu/scholarships. 

Roy Wood Jr. Announced as Entertainer for 2023 WHCA Dinner

By

Roy Wood Jr. Correspondent, “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” at the Paramount White House Correspondents’ Dinner after party at the French Ambassador’s residence, in Washington, D.C., on April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Mary Kouw/CBS ©2022 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) on Thursday announced Roy Wood Jr. as the featured entertainer for the 2023 White House Correspondents’ dinner.

Wood, a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, is standup comedian and host of the “Roy’s Job Fair” podcast. The comedian’s latest hour-long standup special, Imperfect Messenger, is now streaming on Paramount+.”

According to the WHCA, “Wood was a broadcast journalism major at Florida A&M University in 1998, when he fell in love with comedy and launched his career in standup. He has been featured on just about every late-night comedy show on network TV, HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, and was one of the top three finalists on Last Comic Standing on NBC. He also executive produced the Emmy-nominated PBS documentary The Neutral Ground.”

“It’s an honor to be a part of a long-running tradition of celebrating those members of the media, who work so hard to uncover the truth, and hold our government accountable,” said Wood Jr. “It will be a great night that will go down in the history books, or not, depending on which state you live in.”

This year’s annual WHCA dinner will take place on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at its longtime home in the ballroom of the Washington Hilton.

About the WHCA

Founded in 1914, the White House Correspondents’ Association exists to promote excellence in journalism as well as journalism education, and to ensure robust news coverage of the president and the presidency. We support awards for some of the best political reporting of the past year, and scholarships for young reporters who carry our hopes for vibrant journalism in the years to come. Each day, we work to ensure that the men and women who cover the White House have the ability to seek answers from powerful officials, up to and including the President. Our association comprises hundreds of members from the worlds of print, television, radio and online journalism. Their work, for outlets based in the United States and overseas, reaches a global audience. The association has been holding an annual dinner since 1921.

For more information, visit http://www.whca.press.

Liev Schreiber Headlines (UN)Sanctioned Party with Ukraine Ambassador to Support Humanitarian Aid Efforts

By

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 27: attends UnSanctioned Party in support of Ukraine with Actor Liev Schreiber at the French Ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C. on January 27, 2023 in Washington, DC. Ryan Evans, Ambassador Philippe Etienne, Liev Schreiber, Amb. Oksana Markarova, Kara Swisher, Dmitri Alperovitch, Maureen Hinman, Tammy Haddad (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Haddad Media)

The (Un)Sanctioned Party brought together a dynamic crowd to support BlueCheck Ukraine at the residence of the French Ambassador Philippe Etienne. Co-hosts Dmitri Alperovitch and Maureen Hinman, Tammy Haddad, Kevin Sheekey, John Katko, Mike Rogers, Edward Luce, Ryan Evans, Dan Jablonsky, Adam Ghetti and Kara Swisher highlighted the work of BlueCheck Ukraine founded by the great actor and activist Liev Schreiber.

Special guest Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova thanked Schreiber and all the guests who have supported Ukraine’s efforts. Actor and Blue Check Ukraine co-founder Liev Schreiber describing the work their partner NGOS are doing on the ground in Ukraine. 

Liev Schreiber described how BlueCheck Ukraine fund local NGOs on the ground in Ukraine and their pro-bono partners, Ropes & Gray and Integrity Risk International, vet each of the NGOs.)

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 27: Olivia Nuzzi Washington Correspondent New York Magazine, Abby Phillip Anchor & Senior Political Correspondent CNN, Kara Swisher On With Kara Swisher Co-Host, Pivot Podcast, attends UnSanctioned Party in support of Ukraine with Actor Liev Schreiber at the French Ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C. on January 27, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Haddad Media)

Please contribute here and be sure to type “UnSanctioned” in the comment section to help us track donations.

Ambassador Markarova inspired the crowd her remarks, highlighting the bravery and resiliency of the Ukrainian people and why they need our support now more than ever.

Guests who were sanctioned by Russia included Jon Finer, Lisa Monaco, Ned Price, Rep. Brendan Boyle, Rep. Rick Larsen, Rep. Doug Lamborn, Rep. Susan Wild, Susan Glasser, Chris Krebs, Bianna Golodryga, Craig Kennedy.

Other guests included Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Ambassadors Karen Pierce (UK), Geraldine Byrne Nason (Ireland), Stavros Lambrinidis (EU), Santiago Cabanas Ansorena (Spain), Miloslav Stašek (Czechia), Christina Markus Lassen (Denmark), Nicole Bintner (Luxembourg), Niamh King, Peter Baker, Jonathan Karl, John McCarthy, Elizabeth Falcone,  David Butler, T.W. Arrighi, Abby Phillip, Kaitlan Collins, Josh Dawsey, Alex Marquardt, Olivia Nuzzi and Ryan Williams.

 Please contribute to BlueCheck Ukraine to fund local NGOs on the ground in Ukraine. Donations should include the #UnSanctioned, press HERE!

Denyce Graves Gives Passionate Performance in Mary Cardwell Dawson Inaugural Performance at Kennedy Center

By

Emmy® and Grammy® Award-winning Mezzo-soprano star Denyce Graves this month launched important works through the Denyce Graves Foundation with a glitzy string of events in Washington to roll out the foundation’s initiatives honoring the legacy of minority performers in America and celebrating the diversity and talent of the next generation.

Photo by Paul Morigi/WireImage

The weekend kicked off with Denyce performaning the starring role in The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson at the Kennedy Center, which portrays the life and legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson, acclaimed performer and founder of the National Negro Opera Company. Presented by the Washington National Opera, The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, which played in the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater from January 20–22, features music by Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon and text by playwright Sandra Seaton.

Following the Sunday evening performance, philanthropists Wayne and Catherine Reynolds hosted a dinner at the Kennedy Center sponsored by the Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation. Guests included British Ambassador Karen Pierce and Sir Charles Roxburgh, Ford Foundation’s Darren Walker, Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden, Bret and Amy Baier, Billy Martin, Abby Phillip and Marcus Richardson, Dede and Dr. Dallas Lea, Teresa Carlson and Andre Pienaar, Isabelle Johnson, Lee Satterfield and Patrick Steel, Kim Sajet, Anita and Tim McBride, and Jonathan Capehart and Nick Schmit.

Denyce’s husband, NYU Langone transplant surgeon Dr. Robert Montgomery, who has visited and supported Ukraine’s largest functioning transplant center, was joined at the dinner by fellow doctors from Ukraine.

Isabelle Johnson of the S&R Evermay Foundation is a partner of the Denyce Graves Foundation and its new exhibition at the Kennedy Center, highlighting the untold stories and achievements of America’s hidden musical figures. The exhibit features photographs and artifacts from Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company, on loan from the Heinz History Center, and runs Jan. 18–Feb. 1, 2023.

On January 22, the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously presented to Mary Cardwell Dawson for providing opportunities for gifted African-American performers and challenging systemic racism. Established in 2003 by executive order by President George W. Bush, the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to individuals who have volunteered more than 4,000 hours of service and is the highest honor in the President’s Volunteer Service Award system. Presented by Dr. Beverly Kee, Certifying Agent, Premiere Coalition Partners Association, the award was accepted on the late Dawson’s behalf by her grandniece, Debra Evans.

Prior to the performances, the Library of Congress hosted a lecture on January 19 by Dr. Karen Bryan entitled, “Self-Determination on the Operatic Stage: Mary Cardwell Dawson and African American performance in Washington, DC and New York City.” The lecture was presented by the American Musicological Society and the Music Division of the Library of Congress.

The Denyce Graves Foundation is committed to highlighting the rich musical heritage of early African-American performers and preparing the diverse pool of tomorrow’s vocal stars by encouraging inclusive opportunity, access, and advocacy for the next generation.

Brava, Denyce!

Bloomberg Government Welcomes Washington Back to K Street

By

Bloomberg Government rolled out the welcome mat on Tuesday evening with a lively reception to reopen its newly-renovated offices on K Street.

Guests were welcomed by Bloomberg Industry Group CEO Josh Eastright and Bloomberg Government president Arielle Elliott. BGOV News Director Angela Greiling Keane introduced special guest Rohit Chopra, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, who gave a look-ahead for the next year, as well as BGOV Congressional reporter Emily Wilkins and economic reporter Jack Fitzpatrick.

In the great Bloomberg tradition, guests enjoyed delicious fare and customized specialty cocktails from DC’s own renowned mixologist and winner of Netflix’s Drink Masters, Lauren “LP” Paylor O’Brien.

Renowned mixologist and winner of Netflix’s Drink Masters, Lauren “LP” Paylor O’Brien


 
SPOTTED: Ambassadors Oksana Markarova of Ukraine, Luxembourg’s Nicole Bintner, and Singapore’s Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, DC Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio, Susana Castillo, Doug Jones, Jim Moran, Michael Chertoff, Neil Bradley, Bloomberg’s Cesca Antonelli, Joel Johnson, Reggie Love, Michael Chertoff, Anita McBride, Jen Howard, Giuseppe and Francis Lanzone, Jonathan and Betsy Fischer Martin, Josh Dawsey, ABC’s Rick Klein, David Chavern, Carol Melton, Liz Johnson, Vince Evans, Meta’s Jackie Rooney, Ron Bonjean, Niamh King, Greg Babyak, David O’Brien, Samantha Dravis, Ted Johnson, Steve Clemons, Heather Podesta, Peggy Collins, Julissa Marenco, Eva McKend, Paige Hopkins, Francesca Chambers and Michael Moroney, Amanda Anderson, Zoraida Rodriguez, and Winston Lord.

View the photo gallery here.

Teresa Carlson Joins Fellow Amazon Leader as President of Flexport

By

Washington Women Power 100 Lunch Dr. Christine Grady, Ann Hand, Capitol Hill Police Officer Caroline Edwards and co-host Teresa Carlson
Cafe Milano, July 2022

Teresa Carlson, one of the most important woman in tech, joins Flexport as President and Chief Commercial Officer. Flexport is a global logistics and supply chain leader. Carlson will oversee sales, marketing and communications, and the impact arm Flexport.org. She will also spearhead the expansion into new global markets, verticals, and strategic partnerships.

Dave Clark, is co-CEO, after departing Amazon as CEO of Worldwide Consumer, the division that owns the technology and the customer experience for Amazon.com. 

Her previous roles include Corporate VP and Executive-in-Residence at Microsoft, President and Chief Growth Officer at Splunk, and VP, Amazon Web Services (AWS), where she founded and led the Worldwide Public Sector business for more than a decade.

Teresa Carlson said, “Flexport has changed the way businesses view supply chain and logistics, and their technology-enabled platform has the power to make a huge impact for so many industries across the globe. I’m excited to join the talented Flexport team to grow the business globally and empower current and new customers with our full suite of innovative technology solutions.” 

Carlson is a leading advocate for women and serves as Vice Chair of the White House Historical Association, on the board of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and many other leading institutions in Washington.

Pete Souza Town Hall at White House Historical Association

By

Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, hosted a town hall event on Monday at Decatur House with Pete Souza, former White House photographer and author of the new book, The West Wing and Beyond: What I Saw Inside the Presidency.

Souza – who served as an official White House photographer under President Ronald Reagan and the chief official White House photographer under President Barack Obama – was interviewed about his experiences by McLaurin in front of a live audience. Guests were greeted with a welcome reception and holiday shopping at the Association’s gift shop, and Pete signed personalized copies of The West Wing and Beyond. 

During the conversation, McLaurin asked Souza to reflect on some of the most famous and poignant photos he captured at the White House, including the late Princess Diana dancing with John Travolta at a Reagan State Dinner.

Pete Souza / The White House

Souza also shared his private experiences with the first families, including what it was like being the only person in the room during an intimate family moment aboard the presidential aircraft with Mrs. Nancy Reagan and her son and daughter-in-law kneeling over the coffin as President Reagan’s body was flown from California to Washington to lie in state.

Pete Souza / Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

As the director of the White House photo office during President Obama’s entire time in office, Souza reflected on one of his most compelling photos taken during those 8 years (one he did not fully appreciate until much later) – when President Obama leaned over in the Oval Office so a young African-American boy could touch his hair – and what that moment represents for so many.

Pete Souza / The White House

The Pete Souza Town Hall was live streamed on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter as part of the Association’s popular White House History Live series, which was launched during the pandemic.

Watch the full video here. View the photo gallery here.

Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery Honors 7 at 2022 ‘Portrait of a Nation’ Gala

By

José Andrés, Clive Davis, Ava DuVernay, Marian Wright Edelman, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Serena Williams, and Venus Williams honored with portraits at 2022 ‘Portrait of a Nation’ Gala

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 12: (L-R) Baratunde Thurston, David Rubenstein, Anthony Fauci, Ava DuVernay, Isabel Wilkerson, Clive Davis, Alicia Keys, Hilary Rodham Clinton, Marian Wright Edelman, Kim Sajet, Sonya Haffey, Venus Williams, Isha Price, Lonnie G. Bunch, Mellody Hobson, Serena Williams, Laurene Powell Jobs and José Andrés attend the 2022 Portrait Of A Nation Gala on November 12, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for National Portrait Gallery)

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery held its 2022 ‘Portrait of a Nation’ Gala on Saturday, November 12 in Washington, D.C., where this year’s seven honorees were feted for their transformative contributions to the country.  The 2022 honorees are:

  • José Andrés, internationally recognized humanitarian, culinary innovator, New York Times bestselling author, educator and founder of World Central Kitchen
  • Clive Davis, Grammy Award-winning music industry executive and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
  • Ava DuVernay, Academy Award nominee, Emmy, BAFTA and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker, and founder of ARRAY
  • Marian Wright Edelman, activist for children’s rights and founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund
  • Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health and chief of the NIAID Laboratory of Immunoregulation, chief medical advisor to the President, and advisor on global AIDS issues and COVID-19 
  • Serena Williams, tennis champion, winner of 23 Grand Slam titles and entrepreneur
  • Venus Williams, tennis champion, winner of seven Grand Slam titles, entrepreneur and outspoken advocate on equal pay, mental health and physical wellness

The honorees, presenters, and over 750 VIP guests enjoyed cocktails during a private viewing of the Portrait Gallery’s “Portrait of a Nation: 2022 Honorees” exhibition, followed by a seated dinner in the museum’s spectacular Kogod courtyard featuring the award presentations and a special surprise performance by Wynton Marsalis. The evening was hosted by writer, producer, and TV host Baratunde Thurston. The dinner program began with remarks from Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Gallery, and Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch.

Established in 2015 by the National Portrait Gallery, the Portrait of a Nation Award recognizes extraordinary individuals who have made transformative contributions to the United States and its people across numerous fields of endeavor, ranging from the arts and sciences to sports and humanitarianism. 

Each honoree received the Portrait of a Nation Award based on their contributions to their respective fields, and whose portraits are either in the Portrait Gallery’s collection or are in the process of being acquired. The museum also looks to acknowledge individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. 

Each honoree nominated his or her own presenter, someone with whom they have a close relationship or has affected their careers.  The 2022 presenters were:

  • Laurene Powell Jobs, founder and president of Emerson Collective, presented to José Andrés
  • Alicia Keys, 15-time Grammy Award-winning artist, songwriter, musician, producer and entrepreneur, presented to Clive Davis
  • Isabel Wilkerson, Pulitzer Prize winner, National Humanities Medal awardee and New York Times bestselling author, presented to Ava DuVernay
  • Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Secretary of State, U.S. Senator (New York), First Lady of the United States, lawyer and activist, presented to Marian Wright Edelman
  • David M. Rubenstein, co-founder and co-chairman of The Carlyle Group and philanthropist, presented to Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.
  • Mellody Hobson, co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments, presented to Serena Williams
  • Sonya Haffey, interior designer and principal of V Starr, and Isha Price, entrepreneur, film producer, philanthropist and CEO of Price Consulting Group LLC, presented to Venus Williams

The 2022 Gala was supported by host committee members Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, Robert and Arlene Kogod, David Rubenstein accompanied by Caryn Zucker, and Patty Stonesifer and Michael Kinsley; national co-chairs Eduardo J. Ardiles and Joseph P. Ujobai, Lyndon J. Barrois and Janine Sherman Barrois, and Catherine and Michael Podell; and Washington, D.C., co-chairs Kristin and John Cecchi and Susanna and Jack Quinn. The Gala’s founding chairs are Wayne and Catherine Reynolds.  

Notable guests in attendance included Speaker Nancy Pelosi, HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud (Saudi Arabia), Sec. of the Smithsonian Institution Lonnie G. Bunch, III and Maria Marable-Bunch, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Chris Coons, opera singer Denyce Graves, singer-songwriter Jewel, Calvin Ripken, Jr., film director Ron Howard, Martin Luther King, III, Capitol Hill police officer Caroline Edwards, Secretary Elaine Chao, Rep. Maxine Waters, and Amb. Stuart and Gwen Holliday.

Media stars included Don Lemon and Tim Malone, Bret and Amy Baier, Dana Bash, Philip Rucker, Jeffrey Goldberg, and Symone Sanders.

Honoree portraits from the Portrait Gallery’s collection are on view in the “Portrait of a Nation: 2022 Honorees” exhibition on the museum’s first floor from Nov. 10, 2022, through Oct. 22, 2023. All of the portraits this year will be on view for the first time, including six new commissions and one never-before-shown photograph. 

The 2022 portrait artists are: Ruven Afanador (Edelman), Hugo Crosthwaite (Fauci), Kenturah Davis (DuVernay), David Hockney (Davis), Kadir Nelson (Andrés), Toyin Ojih Odutola (S. Williams), and Robert Pruitt (V. Williams). 

The “Portrait of a Nation: 2022 Honorees” exhibition was curated by Rhea L. Combs, NPG’s director of curatorial affairs, in collaboration with Taína Caragol, curator of painting, sculpture and Latinx art and history, and Leslie Ureña, curator of photographs.

Proceeds from the gala, which takes place every two years, support the National Portrait Gallery’s endowment for exhibitions and the museum’s commitment to commissioning artworks for its collection by working with contemporary artists. 

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery was established by an Act of Congress in 1962 to recognize the individuals who have had a significant impact on the nation’s history and culture. It opened its doors to the public in 1968.