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| Upcoming Events |
May 9th, 2008
Annual Fundraising Event |
The 2008 Foundation Annual Fundraising Event will be held Friday evening May 9th at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. Join your Best Friends on our 20th anniversary for Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. (original members of the 5th Dimension), The Drifters and Chuck Brown. For sponsorship and ticket sales information, contact agoldsmith@bestfriendsfoundation.org or (202) 478-9685. For more event details, use this link to the event page. Please join us for dinner, dancing and fun at what has been called "Washington's best party." |
| Past Events |
July 22-25, 2007
Youth Leadership Summit
John Walters
Melba Moore
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America’s youth at our nation’s capitol for our Youth Leadership Summit
Washington, DC – Youth and adult mentors from Washington, DC and across the nation participated in the Best Friends Foundation’s third annual National Youth Leadership Summit – Today’s Leaders, Tomorrow’s Future at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, July 22-25, 2007. Over 150 youth leaders attended this national leadership summit to hear from presenters and engage in discussions that address the current state of youth. Each youth leader gained a greater knowledge on how to avoid violence, drugs, alcohol and premarital sex, as well as listened to presentations on college/career prep and financial planning.
Summit Highlights:
John Walters, Director of The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, spoke to youth leaders from around the country during a keynote luncheon address:
“The Current State of Adolescent Drug Use.”
“Stop The Madness,” panel discussion. Experts discussed issues and solutions regarding adolescent risk behavior. Panelists included The Honorable Robert Flores, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; Dr. David Murray, Chief Scientist for Counter-Drug Technology Assessment Center, Office of National Drug Control Policy; Jose Dominguez, Director of Grants Administration, DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation; Tyrone C. Parker, Co-founder and Executive Director of Alliance for Concerned Men; Beverly Watts Davis, Senior Advisor on Substance Abuse Policy, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); and Seth Leibsohn, Producer of William Bennett’s “Morning In America” radio show. Best Friends Foundation Founder and President, Elayne Bennett, served as moderator.
Best Friends Foundation’s student musical production, “Make Music Not Madness,” with special guest appearance by acclaimed singer and actress Melba Moore, most recognized for making history as Luttiebelle in the Broadway production “Purlie,” and becoming the first black actress to win a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress.
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May 11, 2007
DC Recognition
Ceremony
20th Anniversary |
Washington, DC - Marriott Wardman Park Hotel . This ceremony recognized the achievements of the DC Best Friends, Diamond Girls Leadership, Best Men and Best Men Leadership and the dedication of their school principals, coordinators, parents and teacher mentors. Guest speakers were Will A. Gunn, President and CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and George Sanker, Principal Hope Community Charter School. The audience was treated to special performances from Make Music Not Madness.
DC 2007 Essay Winners:
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Best Friends |
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| 5th Grade |
Shaquan |
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| 6th Grade |
Latrice |
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| 7th Grade |
Unique |
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| 8th Grade |
Kevwe |
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| Diamond Girls Leadership - Cherre |
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| Pauline Hamlette, Director of Programs |
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April 27, 2007
"Rockin' at
The Ritz" Annual Fundraising Event |
Foundation Annual Fundraising Event -"Rockin' at The Ritz" was held on Friday evening April 27th, 2007 at The Ritz Carlton Hotel, Washington, DC. Performers this year were Fabian, Jerry Butler, Barbara Lewis and Bobby Vee & The Vees.
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June 9, 2006
Milwaukee
Recognition Ceremony
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Read about this year's Recognition Ceremonies
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Milwaukee Airport
This Best Friends Recognition ceremony included essay winners reading their submissions to the parents and teachers present. All parents, coordinators and Best Friends School principles were also recognized.
The Diamond Girl Recognition Ceremony included a solo performance by Diana and a poem reading by Shanice. Clarice gave a welcome address to upcoming 9th graders and Trisha & Clarice spoke about, “Why stay in Diamond Girls.” Diamond Girl essays were also read. Myquisha led the Good-bye to Seniors. The event also included a student dance and a performance by the Jazz Choir.
Pat Kirby, Best Friends Program Coordinator
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June 6, 2006
Newark
Diamond Girl
Recognition
Ceremony |
Newark, New Jersey - New Jersey Institute of Technology
The Diamond Girls of Newark, New Jersey came together to perform songs, poems, and step routines for friends and family at their School and Family Recognition Ceremony. The Mistress of Ceremonies, for the evening, was Miss Danielle Brown, former Best Friend and Diamond Girl. Diamond Girls and their family enjoyed a buffet dinner and listened to Newark Councilwoman at-large Ms. Bessie Walker speak about sisterhood. The entertainment included a slideshow of this year’s Diamond Girl events, a poem written and read by Amma and recognition of all Diamond Girls and rising ninth graders. Scholarship award winners were recognized and the Creative Movement Dance Troupe did a Step and Dance routine. University High School girls put on a drama presentation.
Q. Yolanda Simmons, Diamond Girls Leadership Program Coordinator
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May 23, 2006
DC Recognition
Ceremony
See more
photos of
DC's Recognition
Ceremony
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Washington, DC - DAR Constitution Hall See more photos of the ceremony
DC's ceremony featured Kathy Sledge, lead singer of Sister Sledge, Angela McGlowan, Fox News political analyst, Todd Pride, Founder of Sullivan Community Capital LLC and George Sanker, Principal of Hope Community Charter School
The ceremony had special performances from:
Make Music Not Madness, Diamond Girl Choir, Diamond Girl Performance Dance Troupe, Frequency Reset Dance Group
and special performances with Best Friends and Best Men from:
Amidon, Brightwood, Ferebee Hope, Gage Eckington, Orr, Park View, and Simon Elementary Schools
Friendship Edison Public Charter School
Jefferson, Kelly Miller, MacFarland, Ron Brown and Sousa Middle Schools
Shaw Junior High School
P.R. Harris and Fletcher Johnson Educational Centers
DC 2006 Essay Winners:
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Best Friends |
Best Men |
| 5th Grade |
Shaquille |
Olarewaju |
| 6th Grade |
Mercedes |
Norman |
| 7th Grade |
Irene & Hope |
Darnell |
| 8th Grade |
Shirlena |
Vondre |
| Diamond Girls Leadership - Ebonee |
| Best Men Leadership - Kyle and Asriel |
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| Pauline Hamlette, Director of Instruction |
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May 16, 2006
Pittsburgh
Recognition Ceremony |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Holiday Inn Select, University Center
Pittsburgh's ceremony included recognizing students from both middle schools. Theresa, Denise and Danielle won Friendship Awards. L Nise was the Essay Winner and Ms. Nolan was named most dedicated mentor. The Best Friend Girl Achievement Award went to Betty (for best attendance) and Chelsye. All Best Friends girls received a jewelry charm to recognize their commitment to the program throughout the year.
Peg Foster, Best Friends Program Director
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May 12, 2006
Martinsville
Recognition Ceremony
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Martinsville, Virginia - Martinsville Middle School
The program included two distinguished speakers: Latrice Mitchell, a former Martinsville Best Friend/Diamond Girl, and Nancy Redd, former Miss Virginia. Latrice was in the first Best Friends class at Martinsville Middle School. She was also in the first class of Diamond Girls to graduate from Martinsville High School. Currently, Latrice is studying Early Childhood Education at Patrick Henry Community College. She looks forward to completing her bachelor’s degree and teaching elementary education. Nancy Redd graduated with honors from Harvard University in 2003. She majored in Women’s Studies. She was named Miss Virginia in 2003 and went on to the top 10 at Miss America 2004. As an undergraduate Nancy was selected as one of Glamour Magazine’s Top 10 College Women“Most likely to succeed – at anything!” She supports a number of charities including, 4-H and Martinsville’s local Free-Clinic. Recently, Redd became a spokesperson for the Dale Carnegie Institute’s newest book How to Win Friends and Influence People - for Teens.
The Recognition Program also included dance numbers from the 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. It concluded with all the girls singing the Best Friend theme song. Mentors were named in the program and honored. Supporters of this site include The Lucy Sale Foundation, Martinsville Virginia.
Carolyn Baptist, Best Friends Program Director
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May 11, 2006
Newark
"Heart of Gold" Gala Reception |
Newark, New Jersey - Nanina’s in the Park, Belleville, New Jersey
“The Heart of Gold” Gala Reception recognized Newark Best Friends, Best Men and Diamond Girls. Governor Thomas H. Kean was honored with The Heart of Gold Award and The Honorable Herbert C. Klein & Jacqueline K. Klein were honored as Best Friends of the Year. Willie Hutcherson was awarded the Ester Azure Community Achievement Award. The event included a Newark Best Men Martial Arts Demonstration and an address entitled, “What Diamond Girls Means to Me” by Q. Yolanda Simmons, Diamond Girl Coordinator.
RoseMarie Peterkin, Executive Director, Friends and Families Foundation, Inc.
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May 9, 2006
Indian River Recognition Ceremony |
Indian River, Florida - Marsh Landing Restaurant, Fellsmere, Florida
This event was an awards luncheon for the Best Friends and Best Men of Indian River, Florida. Marcia Blackburn, local supporter of the program gave the Invocation Address. Dr. Martha McAdams, Principle of Sebastian Charter Jr. High School and Best Friends Program Director introduced Essay Contest Winners. The guest speaker was Ricki Klaus, a student from the University of Florida. Elayne Bennett was also on hand to make some remarks about this program. The event concluded with Best Friends and Best Men Awards, a performance by the 6th graders from Sebastian Jr. High School and a video presentation.
Dr. Martha McAdams, Best Friends Program Director
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May 5, 2006
Charlotte
Recognition Ceremony |
Charlotte, NC - University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Halton Arena
This event was attended by 2000 people! 500 students had a part in the ceremony while supportive parents, families and mentors cheered them on. The Diamond Girl Jazz Choir performed classic American Jazz songs. 175 Best Friends girls performed the Best Friends Theme Song and Step Chant. The Best Men boys from three schools performed a step drill about the four quadrants of the Best Men shield. Over 100 8th grade girls received a blue “Diamond Girl” sash to signify their transition into the Diamond Girl Leadership Program. The 8th grade boys received a Best Men Medallion of the Best Men shield. Seventeen graduating Diamond Girl seniors were presented in lovely formal gowns as they were escorted by a parent or grandparent. Fourteen seniors were honored with a college scholarship presented by Lesley Long, National Diamond Girl Program Director. Speakers for the ceremony included Anthony Bucci, Assistant Superintendent, and four middle school principals: Dr. Terry Brown, Cochrane Middle School; Kevin Carr, Ranson Middle School; Jamal Crawford, Northridge Middle School; and Raynard Lee, James Martin Middle School.
The ceremony also included a special recognition of school advisors. The grand finale of the ceremony is a favorite Charlotte tradition. The 40 member Diamond Girl Step Team performed in perfect synchronization to a cheering crowd.
Diane Glover, Best Friends and Best Men Program Director
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"Do You Remember When Rock Was Young?" Annual event was held March 4th, 2006 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. At the Best Friends Foundation’s annual fundraiser philanthropist Foster Friess and his wife Lynn announced a million dollar match offer to the audience. They extended the match for monies raised by the Foundation until March 31st and then donated one million dollars to the Foundation at a special "Have a Heart" dinner on March 30th. The Foundation expresses it's deepest gratitude for their caring generosity and to all the donors who contributed during the Million Match campaign. We cannot thank you enough. Contact Roberta Freer, (202) 478-9677 or Elayne Bennett (202) 478-9684 for more details.
The March 4th fundraiser event audience of students and dignitaries was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Special guests included Mayor Anthony Williams, Senator George Allen, Susan Allen, Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele, Andrea Steele, Representative Roy Blunt, Ambassador Van Eenennaam of the Netherlands, Ambassador Jim Nicholson, Norman Mineta, Secretary of Transportation, Gail Norton, Secretary of the Interior, Jim Kimsey, Fred and Marlene Malek, Jack Evans, John McLaughlin, Morton Kondracke and William Bennett, former Secretary of Education.
Students from the Best Friends, Best Men, Diamond Girl Leadership, and Best Men Leadership Programs featured their musical talents in a special performance with Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge of “We Are Family” and “Let’s Hear it for the Boys.” The students’ performance “brought down the house.” The Best Men boys step drill and drum line was awe-inspiring and led to the generous match offer. Three Dog Night appropriately concluded the truly joyous evening with their hit “Joy to the World.” All proceeds from the event went to support the Best Friends Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
- "Health
Is Happiness Day" was held on January 28th, 2006 at the
Washington, D.C. Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. The event featured the
Make Music Not Madness Production which provides an opportunity
for Best Friends and Best Men to show their classmates their commitment
to positive music and positive choices.
- The 2005
National Training Conference (NTC) was held November 8-10, 2005,
at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. Best Friends
and Best Men Instructors and school coordinators from Best Friends Foundation
national sites attended.
Speakers
included:
• Rashida
Jolley, Miss District of Columbia 2000, musician, recording artist
and motivational speaker
• Patrick F. Fagan, The William H.G. Fitzgerald Research
Fellow in Family and Culture Issues,
Heritage Foundation
• Tehotu Batani, House of Hope
• Dr. Aaron White, Assistant Professor in Psychiatry, Duke
University Medical Center
• Peggy Quigg, Director of SAMSHA'S Center for Substance
Abuse Prevention
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Derrick C. Moore, former NFL running back, author and Development
Coach/Chaplain at Georgia Tech
Helpful
information in the funding session was provided by:
•
Jeffrey Trimbath, Director and Bridget Shea, Abstinence Program
Specialist, both of the Office of Abstinence Education, U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services.
•
Kevin
Roy, Legislative Assistant for Appropriations, Office of Senator
Rick Santorum (R-PA).
Grace
Hall of Clay County, Kentucky and Kyle Witty of Milwaukee,
Wisconsin replication sites shared valuable information concerning curriculum
sessions from their successful programs.
The impressive
Best Men of Ron Brown Middle School assisted with the program and
the Diamond Girl Jazz Choir and Performance Dance Troupe entertained
participants with their talented song and dance.
- The Diamond
Girls and Best Men Leadership Kickoff was held October 15th, 2005
at the Embassy Suites hotel in Washington, D.C. Brunch was served to
49 Diamond Girls, 9 Best Men Leadership students and 25 of their parents.
Meeting schedules for the year were distributed. Diamond Girls received
fleece vests and bracelets and Best Men received polo shirts and pullovers.
- On February
26, 2005, 800 Best Friends girls, Diamond Girls Leadership, mentors,
and parents attended the Foundation's "Health Is Happiness Day"
at the Washington, D.C. Omni Shoreham Hotel. The event featured curriculum
sessions on safety, nutrition and image awareness.
- The National
Training Conference (NTC) was held on February 9-11, 2005, at the
Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Best Friends and Best Men Instructors
and school coordinators from Best Friends Foundation national sites
including Washington, D. C. participated. Nationally recognized speakers
including: J. Robert Flores, Administrator and William Woodruff,
Deputy Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention, George Sanker, Principal of Hope Community Charter School
and Genevieve Wood, Vice President of the Center for a Just Society
inspired attendees with information and support. Program
Directors shared valuable experiences and suggestions with their fellow
educators.
- An
impressive group of Diamond Girls, Best Men and College Council members,
along with their parents, came together at the Blackburn Center at Howard
University on December 21st, 2004. College Council Members Marilyn
Worthy and Kristina Swann took a moment to share with the
audience how their experiences with Best Friends and Diamond Girls have
helped them in college.The evening came to a close with presents for
all, as well as impressive performances by the Best Men Step Drill,
the Diamond Girls Performance Dance Troupe and the Diamond Girls Jazz
Choir.
- On
December 7th, 2004 two hundred Best Friends and Best Men mentors
attended a reception in their honor at the Wardman Park Marriott
in Washington, DC. Best
Friends Foundation President and Founder
Elayne Bennett and
Director of Instruction Pauline
Hamlette recognized, thanked and congratulated the metropolitan
mentors on the positive effects they are having throughout the DC school
system, as seen through recent research studies. The Best Friends Foundation
is truly grateful to our mentors, who always put in the extra effort.
- Best
Friends Foundation held its Leadership Program Annual College Fair
at Howard University's Blackburn Center on November 13, 2004 for Diamond
Girls and Best Men Leadership. Topics discussed were: Preparing for
College, The Application Process, SATs and Pre-College Testing, Admissions/Financial
Aid, A Successful College Life, Special Programs and What the Military
Has to Offer. Angela Rice, Metropolitan Diamond Girls Leadership
Program Coordinator introduced representatives from the following
organizations in attendance:
Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Goucher College, George
Mason University, University of the District of Columbia, University
of Maryland Eastern Shore, Hampton University, Trinity College, Howard
University, United States Naval Academy, DC Tuition Assistance, College
Bound Foundation, Ameri Corp, and DC College Savings Program. Lunch
was served by Parent Council members.
- The Best
Friends Foundation hosted its first Annual Back to School Event on
October 23rd, 2004. The event was held at the Amidon Elementary School
in Washington, DC with over 600 in attendance including students from
middle, junior high, Diamond Girls Leadership and Best Men Leadership
school programs. The students enjoyed face painting, dancing, cheer
leading and other group activities. Parents attending received the Best
Friends or Best Men handbook and the Parent's guide for the Prevention
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Use.
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