The Ronald Reagan building’s Atrium was the venue again for an awards program sponsored by Essence and Southern Corporation. Peter Roof was Technical Director for two-camera, live-to-screen coverage of the event. ESSENCE & Southern Company hosted their 3rd annual Evening of Excellence-a special awards reception as part of the 2011 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 41st Annual Legislative Conference.

The annual reception honors some of today’s most influential leaders and advocates of change. This year’s honorees included: Tom Joyner, host of The Tom Joyner Morning Show; Donna Richardson-Joyner, top fitness guru; and Dr. Regina Benjamin, U.S. Surgeon General.

Hosted by CNN news anchor Fredricka Whitfield, this invitation-only event took place on Friday, September 23rd. The evening included music by DJ D-Nice. The event also featured a special tribute to the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Project.