r.e.e.l. to Host Reception Celebrating East of the River During CBC Week

Sept. 18, 2012 - PRLog -- Communities exchanging ideas and developing new relationships is essential to making a difference in society. No organization knows this like River East Emerging Leaders, which is hosting its first-ever Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) reception Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012 at DARNELLs Bar & Mocha Lounge from 6-9 p.m. in Washington, D.C. The affair, which is free and open to the public (RSVP required), luminates the remarkable efforts underway in East of the River neighborhoods and provides opportunities for attendees to make new connections and create new dialogues for continued change.

Members, policymakers, elected officials, business leaders, professionals, and others that share r.e.e.l.’s vision for community-building, are expected to be in attendance at this exclusive event on the evening of the kickoff for the 41st Annual Legislative Conference. DC-area caucus members Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD) will also be recognized.  

“We are excited to welcome the community to our first-ever reception during CBC week,” said r.e.e.l. President Charles Wilson. “The event offers us an opportunity to showcase our organization while giving our members a setting to network with each other and our new friends. As we highlight our home--East of the River--we extend an open invitation to those who haven’t been there to stop by for a visit anytime.”

East of the River, which largely encompasses Wards 7 and 8, is often associated with high-crime, soaring unemployment, anemic educational achievement and the lack of economic investment. Since its founding four years ago, r.e.e.l. has labored to tell the area’s other story while simultaneously undertaking efforts to address some of the challenges.

The organization developed three committees—Leaderships and Development, Health and Wellness, and Economic Development—to convene members and the greater community around these important issues, and have pulled elected officials and the business community in to help. Since 2008, the group has identified public and private resources for new community investment and growth, provided educational enrichment for area youth, and established an annual awards program to bring honor and recognition to individuals and organizations on the front lines effecting change.

“This is long overdue,” said r.e.e.l. Vice President Troy Donte’ Prestwood. “East of the River is home to some of the area’s most politically active and upwardly mobile constituents who are making a difference every day in their communities. We’ve known this for quite some time. This event ensures key members of Congress and visitors from across the nation know it, too.”  

The r.e.e.l. CBC reception is powered by: William C. Smith + Co., a Washington, DC—based multidisciplinary real estate firm; The Root DC, the leading online source of news and commentary from an African-American perspective; and DARNELLs Bar & Mocha Lounge, a cozy, welcoming, and lounge-like atmosphere that’s ideal for a relaxing evening in the U Street corridor.  

Additional sponsorship provided by: Audacity Communications, LLC.; BrownieBar; and The Chappelle Group Corp.  Special patrons: Levine School of Music; Eric Brown; Sonjiah Davis; Jeanine Hunter; Aisha Moore-Hughes; Damion Parran; and Harold Pettigrew.

Learn more about these generous sponsors and supporters on r.e.e.l.’s website at http://www.reeldc.org.

About River East Emerging Leaders (r.e.e.l)
Conceived by a group of concerned citizens from Washington, D.C.’s Wards 7 and 8 communities, River East Emerging Leaders (r.e.e.l.) is a nonprofit organization created to engage and empower the East of the River community by strengthening bonds between residents, businesses and government; stimulating interest in East of the River neighborhoods, and fostering dialogue that leads to solutions for community growth and investment. To learn more about r.e.e.l., visit http://www.reeldc.org/, follow on Twitter @reel_DC or at Facebook/reeldc.