The upcoming event, scheduled to take place at Washington, D.C.’s historic Howard Theatre, will serve as a gathering place for leaders, activists, and philanthropists dedicated to improving the lives of the nation’s youth. A centerpiece of the evening will be the presentation of CDF’s Marian Wright Edelman Advocate for Joy Award, an esteemed accolade bestowed upon individuals and institutions that champion progressive policies, build community power, and strengthen critical programs designed to uplift children and youth. The award is proudly named in honor of CDF Founder and President Emerita Marian Wright Edelman, whose lifelong dedication to civil rights and child advocacy has shaped generations of social policy.
Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, President and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund, emphasized the profound significance of the honor within the broader landscape of advocacy and servant leadership.
"The Marian Wright Edelman Advocate for Joy Award is CDF’s highest honor, recognizing servant leaders whose advocacy and partnership have made a demonstrable difference in the lives of children, young people, and families," said Rev. Dr. Wilson. "This year, the award has been renamed in honor of our Founder and President Emerita, Marian Wright Edelman."
As part of this year’s celebrations, the Children’s Defense Fund has announced that Casey Family Programs will be honored as one of the distinguished recipients of the award. Casey Family Programs stands as the nation’s largest operating foundation focused exclusively on safely reducing the need for foster care while actively improving the safety, permanence, and overall well-being of children and youth.
Established six decades ago in 1966 by United Parcel Service founder Jim Casey, the Seattle-based organization has grown into a cornerstone of American child welfare reform. Today, the organization is led by President and CEO William C. Bell, Ph.D. Under Dr. Bell’s strategic direction, the foundation operates nine field offices across the country and leads a dedicated staff that works hand-in-hand with youth, families, and professionals directly involved in public child welfare systems.
The formal presentation of the award will take place during the National Celebration of Joy gala, which promises to be a landmark evening for the advocacy community. The event schedule and location have been finalized to welcome prominent leaders and supporters from across the nation. Dinner and the main program are set to begin at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2026, hosted at The Historic Howard Theatre, located at 620 T Street NW in Washington, D.C.
Reflecting on the decades-long relationship between the two organizations, Dr. Wilson praised Casey Family Programs for its visionary approach to child well-being and its historic partnership with the Children’s Defense Fund, noting that these qualities make the foundation a uniquely fitting recipient of the honor.
"It is our privilege to honor Casey Family Programs as the first institutional recipient of the Marian Wright Edelman Award," Dr. Wilson stated. "For 60 years, Casey Family Programs has been building Communities of Hope to ensure more children grow up safely at home. Working in all fifty states, their mission is to provide and improve—and ultimately prevent the need for—foster care. Casey Family Programs is one of CDF’s most enduring institutional partners in advocacy, thought leadership, investment, and a shared commitment."
The recognition highlights a shared legacy of fighting for vulnerable populations and working toward systemic solutions that address the root causes of child poverty, family separation, and systemic neglect. Through decades of collaboration, organizations like the Children’s Defense Fund and Casey Family Programs have continually adapted to meet the evolving challenges facing American families, leveraging research, grassroots organizing, and policy advocacy to create lasting change.
As the date for A National Celebration of Joy approaches, anticipation continues to build within the nation’s capital and among child advocacy networks nationwide. The gala will not only celebrate the remarkable achievements of Casey Family Programs and other honorees but will also reaffirm a collective national commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up with dignity, safety, and joy.
