“I’ve come to see myself as a sort of ‘unofficial parent’ to the young people in our city,” said Michelle Cross Fenty, as she so passionately talked about what adults need to do as members of the village that it takes to raise a child. Fenty was the keynote speaker at DC Campaign’s Second Annual Benefit and Awards Celebration on June 21, 2007 at the Capital Hilton. The event was attended by 175 donors and partners of DC Campaign.

“As the people who make up that village … we must work to steer kids toward age-appropriate activities, and parenting is not an age-appropriate activity for a teenager.” Read Fenty's address here. (31.92 Kb)

Each year since its inception in 1999, DC Campaign has recognized organizations and people who have changed the conversation about teen pregnancy prevention through their youth development work with teens. (Click here to see all award winners. ) DC Campaign was honored to present the 2007 Conversation Changers Award to: Carlise James Davenport, founder of Tots Developmental School, and Jerry Craft, creator of “Mama’s Boyz ,” a syndicated comic strip that deals with important issues such as teen pregnancy. Donnell Kie and Andre Johnson, DC Campaign Youth Leadership Task Force members presented the coveted “Standing in the Gap” Award to Andrea and Caron Butler.

Jamela Simon, a graduate of DC Campaign’s Youth Leadership Task Force, served as the wonderful and inviting mistress of ceremonies. Live music, great food and a book signing by Jerry Craft made for icing on the cake.

This celebration would not have been possible without the support and confidence of our sponsors. Our thanks and gratitude to each of them:

Event Sponsors

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhARMA)

Friends of DC Campaign

• Alston & Bird, LLP
• Hon. Don Beyer
• Black Entertainment Television
• Chartered Health Plan, Inc.
• Cait Clarke and Neil Shister
• Janet Langhart Cohen
• Rusty and Cynthia Conner
• General & Mrs. J. Gary Cooper
• Ellis Denning Development
• Foxhall Ob/Gyn Associates
• Sharon Malone, MD
• PEPCO
• Nancy L. Saunders, MD
• Jerry and Edyth Schaeffer
• Margie and Reed Tuckson
• Washington Radiology Associates, PC
• Barbara W. Wolf
• Young Adult Christian Cafe
• The Summit Fund of Washington