WASHINGTON, D.C. — In November 2026, the national advocacy organization Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) will host its highly anticipated "A National Celebration of Joy," a gala established to honor changemakers and youth advocates while celebrating the powerful partnerships that drive its enduring work for children across the United States.
The premier event, set to take place at Washington, D.C.’s historic Howard Theatre, will also feature the presentation of CDF’s Marian Wright Edelman Advocate for Joy Award. This prestigious accolade is bestowed upon individuals and institutions that champion vital policies, build robust community power, and strengthen programs designed to improve the lives of children and youth. The award is proudly named in honor of CDF Founder and President Emerita Marian Wright Edelman, a towering figure in the American civil rights and child advocacy movements.
“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 CDF President and CEO Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson. “This year, the award has been renamed in honor of our Founder and President Emerita, Marian Wright Edelman.”
For this upcoming gala, the Children’s Defense Fund has announced a historic milestone. Elizabeth “Liz” and Don Thompson have been named as the first individual community builders to ever receive the prestigious award. The long-time married couple has built a remarkable legacy of philanthropy, corporate leadership, and civic service both collectively and individually over the course of their professional lives.
Together, the Thompsons co-founded The CAFE Group, a prominent national nonprofit dedicated to supporting education leaders through strategic funding, collaborative networks, and comprehensive leadership development. In addition to their philanthropic endeavors through The CAFE Group, they also co-founded Cleveland Avenue, a Chicago-based investment firm focused on supporting innovative entrepreneurs and growing businesses.
Currently, Liz Thompson serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair of The CAFE Group, bringing more than three decades of extensive nonprofit and education leadership experience to the role. Her career has long been defined by a deep-seated dedication to empowering educators, strengthening community foundations, and expanding educational access for young people. Meanwhile, Don Thompson serves as the Founder and CEO of Cleveland Avenue. His appointment to this leadership role followed a distinguished global business career that included leading McDonald’s Corporation, where he made history as one of the first African American Chief Executive Officers of a Fortune 500 company. Throughout his corporate career and beyond, Don Thompson has remained a steadfast advocate for economic empowerment, mentorship, and community investment.
Dr. Wilson commended the Thompsons for their exceptional philanthropic and business leadership, noting their unwavering focus on creating tangible opportunities and helping communities drive lasting, generational change.
“Liz and Don’s story is rooted in a shared commitment to opening doors and investing in people,” Dr. Wilson said, reflecting on their remarkable personal and professional journeys. “Having grown up just blocks from one another on Cleveland Avenue in Chicago, they have spent decades building distinguished careers spanning business, education, philanthropy, and civic leadership.”
The National Celebration of Joy serves not only as a gala fundraiser but also as a vital gathering space for national leaders, community organizers, youth advocates, and philanthropists dedicated to the mission of the Children’s Defense Fund. The organization has spent decades working tirelessly to ensure every child has a healthy start, a head start, a fair start, a safe start, and a moral start in life supported by caring families and communities. By bringing together diverse voices and celebrating transformative leadership, the event underscores the collective responsibility required to champion the rights and well-being of the nation’s youth.
The upcoming gala is scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2026, beginning with a dinner and formal program at 7:00 p.m. The historic Howard Theatre, located at 620 T Street NW in Washington, D.C., will provide the backdrop for the evening’s festivities, drawing attendees from across the country to honor the Thompsons and celebrate the ongoing mission of the Children’s Defense Fund.
As the date of the gala approaches, anticipation continues to build around the recognition of Liz and Don Thompson, whose lifelong dedication to equity, education, and community building exemplifies the very highest ideals of the Marian Wright Edelman Advocate for Joy Award. Their journey—from growing up blocks apart on Cleveland Avenue in Chicago to leading national institutions and philanthropic organizations—stands as a powerful testament to the impact of vision, perseverance, and a steadfast commitment to uplifting the next generation.
