Rare And Beautiful Black Gems On Display For Great Cause...

On Friday, April 6, 2007 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C., the Global Visionaries Awards honored Dr. Sheila C. Johnson for her outstanding commitment to the arts, education & philanthropy. Johnson is the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), chief executive officer of Salamander Hospitality, Inc. and owner of the WNBA Washington Mystics, NHL Washington Capitals and the NBA Washington Wizards franchise. Dr. Sheila Johnson made history when she became the first black female billionaire in 2003.

Howard University John H. Johnson School of Communications alumnus and ESPN SportsCenter anchor, Stan Verrett, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the Global Visionaries Awards and Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC News’ Good Morning America was the keynote speaker.

The Global Visionaries Awards: A Salute to Women in Leadership and Service is a new venture for the Howard University John H. Johnson School of Communications. The theme of the Global Visionaries Awards was Pioneering Pearls, honoring the past, present and future of outstanding women. The Pioneering Pearls theme represents the accomplishments of women throughout history who chartered new paths in their respective fields.

Folks In Pics:
1. Jannette L. Dates, Dean of the John H. Johnson School of Communications, Sheila Johnson (honoree), H. Patrick Swygert, President of Howard University
2. Robin Roberts, co-anchor, ABC News Good Morning America (keynote speaker)
3. Robin Roberts (keynote speaker) , Sheila Johnson (honoree), jazz icon Nancy Wilson
4. Sheila Johnson

The Howard University John H. Johnson School of Communications has seen a major increase in the number of female students pursuing careers that will place them at the forefront of business, communications, public service and law. Of the 1,158 students enrolled in the 2005-2006 academic year, 74.2% were female. Fifty female student exemplars were chosen to attend the event as a representation of the next generation of pioneering pearls. Outstanding male students from the John H. Johnson School of Communications served as escorts for the female guests and dignitaries in attendance.

The honorary chair for the Global Visionaries Awards was Cathy L. Hughes, Time Warner Endowed Professor in the John H. Johnson School of Communications and founder and chairperson of Radio One. The honorary committee included legendary jazz icon Nancy Wilson, alumna and CBS News anchor, Michelle Miller Morial, first lady of Washington, D.C. and Howard alumna, Michelle Cross Fenty, CeCe Winans, Laila Ali, Sanaa Lathan and Gabrielle Union.

The lead sponsor for the Global Visionaries Awards was Prudential Financial. Additional sponsors included Hanes/Playtex, Fox Entertainment, MTV Networks and Eli Lilly and Company. Iridesse, the pearl division of Tiffany & Company provided the fifty female student exemplars with fresh water pearl charm bracelets.

Sabrina Burris comes to Howard University from the University of California at Berkeley where she coordinated alumni events and receptions for the New York region. In addition, Ms. Burris was responsible for researching fundraising initiatives and providing analysis for fundraising projects.

Prior to her experience at the University of California, Sabrina coordinated and developed programs for AmeriCorps and Adobe Krow Archives, the only African American museum in her hometown of Bakersfield, California. At Adobe Krow Archives, she was responsible for fundraising, marketing and program facilitation of museum programming for school-aged children.

In 2001, she received four commendations for her work at the museum, including awards from the California State Senate and the California State Legislature. In 2001 and 2002, she was honored with commendations from the Governor of California as “one of the most influential citizens in the 21st century” for her continued efforts with the museum. Ms. Burris is an alumna of Hampton University.

For questions regarding special events, alumni relations or the monthly alumni newsletter, please contact Sabrina Burris at sburris@howard.edu or 202-806-4038.

Tha Artivist On Ms. Sabrina Burris:The Beautiful And Lovely Sabrina Burris Is The Creator Of Above Said Event...She Is An Organizational Genius And One Of The Most Gifted People/Minds I Ever Met...Dynamic Yet Shy;Immensely Talented Yet Immensely Humble, She Has Used Her Assets Well To Deliver A Timeless Message Of Love And Giving Through Her Exceptional Vision And Clarity In Conviction And Action...Presently Ms. Burris Is Just Warming Up Because She Has A Very, Very Bright Future Ahead Of Her...She Convinced Yours Truly To Donate Four Pieces Of Framed Art To The Silent Auction Which Raised Nearly $30,000 Alone...She Truly Lives Up To The Good As Advertised Motto "One Of The Most Influential Citizens In The 21st Century"...It Is Truly An Honor To Not Only Call Her Friend, But Also A True Comrade And Sister In The Arts And Beyond...