WASHINGTON, DC — The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), a prominent national advocacy organization dedicated to protecting youth and championing policies that support children, has officially announced its distinguished national host committee. Comprising influential business executives, nonprofit founders, and dedicated community leaders from across the United States, the committee has been formed to support the organization’s upcoming high-profile event in the nation’s capital.
The gathering, titled A National Celebration of Joy, is a premier gala established to honor remarkable changemakers, dedicated youth advocates, and the powerful partnerships that continually drive the organization’s advocacy work forward on behalf of children and families. Scheduled to take place this coming November at the Historic Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C., the evening will serve as both a celebration of past achievements and a rallying cry for the ongoing work required to secure a bright future for the nation’s youth.
The event is made possible through the generous backing of the national host committee, whose members lend their considerable expertise, philanthropic commitment, and leadership to support CDF’s overarching mission. According to the organization, the active involvement of these champions directly fuels CDF’s capacity to expand its vital programs and champion protective policies for youth at both the state and federal levels. By leveraging their professional networks and personal dedication, these committee members ensure that the broader movement for child well-being continues to gain momentum, visibility, and crucial resources.
The National Celebration of Joy is officially scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2026. Festivities will kick off with dinner and a formal program beginning at 7:00 p.m. The venue chosen for the gala is the Historic Howard Theatre, located at 620 T Street NW in Washington, D.C., a landmark cultural venue renowned for its rich history and vibrant role in the community.
To spearhead and support this major undertaking, CDF has brought together an esteemed group of leaders representing diverse industries, geographic regions, and sectors. Serving as co-chairs for the national host committee are Dakarai I. Aarons, founder of the Aarons Family Giving Fund in California, and Zack Boyers, chairman and CEO of U.S. Bank Impact Finance in Missouri.
The full roster of members serving on the National Celebration of Joy Host Committee reflects a broad coalition of national leaders. The committee includes Annie Donovan, president and CEO of RDF in Washington, D.C.; Bryan Beasley, a business insurance consultant with MMA in North Carolina; Dana Weston Graves, market president for Sentara Health in Virginia; Daniel Welch, managing director at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in Washington, D.C.; Dan Kenney, a partner at Mitchell & Titus, LLP in Maryland; and the Rev. Dr. Don Darius Butler, pastor of The Concord Fellowship in Alabama.
Additional committee members include Durecia Moorer, managing partner and CMO of ABCD & Company in Maryland; Gail and Michael R. Holmes, with Michael serving as chairman emeritus of RX Outreach in Missouri; Lan Bentsen, executive producer of The Bentsen Blueprint in Texas; Drs. LaToya and Starsky Wilson, president and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund in Maryland; and W. Clay Grubb, chief executive officer of Grubb Properties in North Carolina.
The Children’s Defense Fund has expressed its profound gratitude to these dedicated leaders for their steadfast partnership and ongoing commitment to the cause. The organization emphasizes that the expertise and philanthropic vision brought by the committee are indispensable to the success of the upcoming gala and the broader advocacy agenda.
In a statement reflecting on the significance of the upcoming gathering and the coalition behind it, the organization highlighted the core values driving the event. As we reflect on the progress we’ve made and recommit to the work ahead, we will honor the collective effort required to ensure every young person can grow up with dignity, hope, and joy, the organization states. We deeply appreciate the unwavering dedication of these leaders, whose partnership is vital to realizing our critical mission.
Media inquiries regarding A National Celebration of Joy, ticket information, or coverage requests for the November 5 event at the Historic Howard Theatre are being handled by John Henry, CDF Media Relations Manager. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at 708-646-7679.
