MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2011
Contact: Ash Kosiewicz, Communications and Advocacy Director
(202) 540-7411; akosiewicz@ledcmetro.org
WASHINGTON – Recognizing 20 years of work in the DC area, the Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) will host its 20th Anniversary Celebración Gala on June 17th at the Organization of American States from 6-10 PM. The event, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Mount Pleasant disturbances from which LEDC was born, will chronicle LEDC’s growing commitment to the DC area’s Latino and low-to-moderate income communities over the years and its vision forward. Joined by public officials from the District of Columbia and Montgomery County, LEDC will present its Latino Economic Development Visionary Awards to LEDC’s founders, including Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Raúl Yzaguirre; LEDC’s first Executive Director Marcelo Elissetche; and the former leader of the Latino Civil Rights Task Force Pedro Avilés. In honor of its 20-year partnership with the DC government, LEDC will present its Latino Economic Development Achievement Award to the DC Department of Housing and Community Development. The event will feature musical performances by Mount Pleasant songwriter Lilo Gonzalez and Grupo Ritmo y Sabor and debut the video “From Mount Pleasant to Wheaton: LEDC’s 20th Anniversary Story.”
WHAT: LEDC’s 20th Anniversary Celebración Gala: Growing Communities, Growing Commitment
WHERE: The Organization of American States Main Building
17th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006
WHEN: Friday, June 17th, 2011
6 PM to 10 PM
Program begins at 7 PM
WHO: Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Raúl Yzaguirre; Marcelo Elissetche; Pedro Avilés; Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Victor Hoskins (accepting award on behalf of DHCD); DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton; Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services BB Otero; DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown; DC Councilmember Mary Cheh; DC Office of Latino Affairs Director Roxana Olivas; Director of Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett’s Office of Community Partnerships Bruce Adams; other DC and Montgomery County officials (invited); LEDC Executive Director Manny Hidalgo; LEDC Board, staff, and participants/residents
EVENT SPONSORS: Wells Fargo, Capital One, Walmart, Bank of America, Citi, M&T Bank, Calvert Investments, Condortech Services, Inc., E*Trade, HSBC Bank USA, Latham & Watkins LLP, PNC Bank, Rippeteau Architects, PC, Verizon, Aronson Foundation, B.F. Saul Company, Dan Blumenthal, Local 16, Westfield Wheaton
