Essence Magazine's "An Evening of Excellence" Honors the Joyners, Surgeon General (Slideshow)
Monday, September 26, 2011 at 9:16AM
(Left to Right) Fitness expert Donna Richardson Joyner, "Fly Jock" Tom Joyner, Southern Company Board Director Juanita Baranco and Essence Magazine Editor-In-Chief Constance C.R. White
Last Friday Essence Magazine honored fitness expert and motivational speaker Donna Richardson Joyner; her husband, syndicated radio "Fly Jock" Tom Joyner and the U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin at their "An Evening of Excellence" event during the Congressional Black Caucus' Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. The Snob was there to document the proceedings and chat up Essence's new editor-in-chief.
The conference wrapped on Saturday with President Obama giving a fiery keynote speech at the Washington Convention Center where he shouted for less talk and more action on getting America back to work (more on that later). But among the workshops, meetings and legislative procedures were all the excuses to party, party, party. My favorite event during CBC is Essence Magazine's gala because if fashion people know how to do one thing (beside help you pick out an amazing outfit) -- they know event planning. They know it needs to be well-organized and they have a "go big or go home" attitude towards creating a buzz-worthy experience. After all, they put on the hugely popular Essence Music Festival every year. The CBC party is like a well-executed practice run.
Previous ceremonies included honoring Holly Robinson Peete and her husband Rodney Peete for their work in autism awareness while having EnVogue and Raphael Saadiq put on concert performances. This year it was the Joyners and El DeBarge, proving once again --
Essence can throw a party.
Photo by Danielle Belton
And it was new Essence Magazine Editor-In-Chief Constance C.R. White's first visit to the Congressional Black Caucus' Annual Legislative Conference and her first time being a part of Essence Magazine's annual caucus event. White, who became the editor earlier this year, has been with the magazine for six months now, and is a respected media fashionista with a very poised and regal quality.
White, before Essence, made a name for herself writing about fashion for The New York Times. She chatted with The Snob about her transition from "The Gray Lady" for leading black lady mag's less staid and delightfully more colorful flavor, while discussing whether or not it is OK for the boss to kick off her shoes and "get down."
Danielle Belton interviewing Constance C.R. White"I was speaking to someone on the phone before I came here when I was in New York in my office and I said, 'Oh, you know, I'm going to Washington to this CBC for the first time,' and he said, 'Are you read to party!' and I said, 'Oh, I thought I was going to do symposiums and panels?' and he's like, 'No. You're going to party. Are you ready? You gotta be ready,' and I was like, 'OK! Thanks for the hint!'" -- Constance C.R. White on preparing for the other side of the Annual Legislative Conference
The Snob: What's the difference between running a magazine that's so many different things to so many black women (fashion, entertainment, lifestyle, etc.) versus being with The New York Times?
White: I would say the biggest switch is perhaps dealing with Essence is more organic in a way. It's sort of more of an immediate extension of my life and my girlfriends' lives. Where as the New York Times its, I wouldnt' say it's so organic. It's more pure, methodical career.
The Snob: Now this is your first CBC, your first Evening of Excellence and this is one of the more popular parties during CBC. It gets a little crazy. Are you prepared?
White: Good! Essence can give a party. Essence knows how to give a good party. Which maybe had something to do with a question you just asked me! (Laughs) I was getting ready listening to "Billie Jean" in my hotel room.
The Snob: So the party mode is more natural for you, because the Grey Lady can be a little button down?
White: Yeah. Exactly A little more natural. So I guess I have to watch myself so I don't lose the decorum of editor in chief. (Laughs)
The Snob: You don't want to lose that aura of professionalism!
White: With that aura you can't "be getting down" at the drop of a hat all the time. (Laughs)
The Snob: But that could be acceptable! I've been here before and once DJ D-Nice comes, people kick off their shoes. You can get down a little! (Laughs)
White: (Smiling) OK. A little. Yes.
The Snob: What's your impression of the conference so far?
White: I love it. I think it's an incredible coming together of black people showing black people's power, that's been my impression. I feel like it's a place for black people around the country, whether they're business people, students, even the political operatives here, who come from around the country, to come here and recharge. It is a very, very important weekend for the black community across the United States.
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Highlights?
Nothing can really top El DeBarge doing the running man, but long-time Snob readers will take a special, inside jokey pleasure in a certain cuddly photo in the slideshow of myself and my favorite person in the whole world and my number one critic when I write something about him he doesn't agree with, professional ascot-aficionado and all-around media man, Roland S. Martin.
Aren't we cute?Also ...
The notorious "My Name Is" D-Nice was the DJ for the after-party festivities, which gave you the chance to watch various Congress Critters relive their college years by doing line dances and starting up random Black Greek "strolling" lines in the middle of the party. I have to thank Essence's event team and their public relations team for being so incredibly accommodating as always. They truly are the best, but then again, fashion people know how to throw a party.
Enjoy the slideshow from the evening's events. All photos were taken by myself and Jada Prather.
Reader Comments (2)
Danielle is all Fancy-pants! Must admit, the best part of CBC weekend is watching 50-something do the electric slideand that whole Q-Dog thing that I don't totally comprehend....
Tom Joyner looked calm and gentle wearing gray suits and pinstripe blue shirt. Just perfect for his type!