theGrio’s guide to the 2013 black inaugural experience

By TheGrio Staff

·January 17, 2013

Tickets sold out in record time this year for the official inaugural balls that President Barack Obama and wife Michelle will attend, but there are still plenty of places where young African-Americans can have the black Inaugural experience.

Ranging from the Hip Hop Ball II co-hosted by Russell Simmons’ Hip Hop Summit Action Network to the African-American Church’s Inaugural ball with master of ceremonies Roland S. Martin, the entire D.C./Maryland/Virginia area will have a plethora of events filled with parties, balls, forums and more for you to partake in during Obama’s second Inauguration weekend.

IMPACT is one group whose leaders will host four events during the weekend. Organizers say it’s set to be historic. “During Inauguration 2013, IMPACT is hosting a suite of events to ensure that young professionals stay politically involved, engaged, and economically empowered,” Sarah Misailidis, IMPACT communications director, said in a statement.

Young and Powerful, a national group for young professionals that helped raise money for Obama’s campaigns, will host six events in Washington, D.C. over the weekend and three in Chicago. Vanessa Abron, 31, the organization’s marketing coordinator, says the weekend will offer a combination of informational, fun and empowering events to participants. “The Young and Powerful group will include a variety of fun, inspiring yet educational events that will fit the need of everyone attending the inauguration,” Abron told theGrio.

If you didn’t get one of the $60 inaugural ball tickets (and cannot afford the $2,000 mark-up price for the same tickets being scalped online), there are plenty of other lavish events planned where you can get dressed up and toast to President Obama in style. The Root Inaugural Ball is becoming an event to look out for in this regard.

“The Root Inaugural Ball commemorates a significant moment for our country, as the nation’s first African-American President begins his second term. We’re especially pleased that our event also happens to coincide with the 5^thAnniversary of The Root,” said Donna Byrd, Publisher of The Root. The company is hosting its exclusive affair on Jan. 19 at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

With a mix of themed balls, open events for all ages and invite-only spectaculars, guests traveling to the nation’s capital are sure to have a once in a lifetime experience during Inauguration weekend.

We’ve done the legwork for you and provided a list of some of the most interesting happenings to choose from, separated on the following pages by day. Be sure to click through the numbered pages below to get the full scoop.

TheGrio hopes you enjoy the black inaugural experience!

Click the numbers below for the full listing.

FRIDAY, JAN. 18

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. IMPACT will host a Town Hall on Obama’s second term legislative agenda at the Howard University School of Business. Moderated by MSNBC political analyst and The Hill columnist Karen Finney, the event is free and open to the public.

At noon, the DMV Ball will begin at the Howard Theater, 620 T St. NW in Washington, D.C. Featuring Oddissee, Diamond District, DJ Roddy Rod and Sean Born, tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show.

Young & Powerful will be hosting its :UNITE: Inauguration Kick-Off Reception and Celebration at Tabaq Bistro, 1336 U Street NW at 7 p.m., with live performances by Anthony David and Mya. Tickets are available online and range from $44 to $88.

The Zeta Phi Beta Tau Delta Zeta Chapter will celebrate 93 years at a Founders’ Day Networking Mixer from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Tabaq Bistro, 1336 U St. NW, Washington, D.C. Tickets are $20.

The Carlyle Club will host its Pre-Inaugural Celebration Ball at the Carlyle Club, 411 John Carlyle St., Alexndria, Va. from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are between $100 and $150.

Power Forward will host an inaugural cocktail reception from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Goethe Institute DC, 811 7^th St. NW in Washington, D.C. Guests will hear Johnny Grahm and The Groove blend jazz, R&B, hip-hop and rock. Tickets range from $80 to $100.

The Entrepreneur Inaugural Ball will be held from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Greenbelt Marriott Hotel, 6400 Ivy Lane in Greenbelt, MD. Join the group of business owners and leaders at the event geared toward entrepreneurship. Tickets cost between $175 and $299.

From 8 p.m to 2 a.m., Mosaic: an Inauguration Ball for the African Diaspora, will be held at the Ukrainian Ballroom, 4250 Harewood Rd., NE in Washington, D.C. Tickets range from $45 to $100.

Click below for the remaining listings.

SATURDAY, JAN. 19

Young & Powerful will host its ACTION: Roundtable Political Forum at 1 p.m. at Howard University. Take part in the interactive, politically engaging event and discuss the youth revolution in the Obama campaigns. Admission is free and all ages are welcome to attend.

The Ethiopian Inaugural Ball will be at Merkamo Ethiopian Bistro, 7020 Commerce Street in Springfield, Va. Guests may party from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are available online and cost $40.

The Root Inaugural Ball will commemorate Obama’s inauguration at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. and will also celebrate The Root’s 5^th anniversary. Guests will have the chance to explore the museum’s famed exhibits. This is a private event.

The Jamaican Inaugural Ball will be held at the National Education Association Building, 1201 16^th Street NW in Washington D.C. from 8 p.m. to midnight. Tickets, which cost $125, are sold out, according to the website.

The metropolitan chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi will be hosting the Kappa Alpha Psi Inaugural Ball at the Sheraton Cristal City Hotel, 1800 Jefferson Davis Highway in Alexandria, Va., featuring Spur of the Moment and special guest Raheem DeVaughn. The ball is from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

OurTime.org will host its Generation Now party at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, located at the intersection of 8^th and F Streets NW in Washington, D.C. Hosted by will.i.am and Tate Donovan, the event starts at 8 p.m. and will feature special performances by John Legend, T-Pain and Common. Several other celebrity appearances are expected. Individual tickets are $150 with VIP and sponsorship packages available.

Black Women United for Action will host a Youth Presidential Inaugural Ball at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott Hotel, 1700 Jefferson Davis, Hwy. in Arlington, VA. Guests will enjoy fun, fellowship and a celebration from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $50.

The NAACP’s Stafford Branch is hosting a Presidential Inaugural Gala at the Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center, 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway in Fredericksburg,Va. from 5:30 p.m. 50 midnight. Tickets cost $100.

The Virgin Islands Association Inaugural Ball will be at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 901 N. Fairfax St. in Alexandria, Va. from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. According to the website, tickets are sold out.

Young & Powerful will host its ENCHANT: Variety and Comedy Show at Liv, 2001 11^th St. NW, Washington, D.C. Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and live music starting at 6 p.m. Tickets range from $44 to $88 with VIP admission available.

From 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., join singer Marcus Johnson and live jazz band Common Ground at the Head of State Inaugural Gala. Hosted at the Tower Club, 8000 Towers Crescent Dr. in Vienna, Va., tickets range from $150 to $200.

Click below for the remaining listings.

SUNDAY, JAN. 20

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference will host a Gospel Brunch featuring Pastor Kim Burrell and Rev. Omarosa Manigault from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at L’Enfant Plaza Hotel Grand Ball Room, 420 L’Enfant Plaza SW in Washington, D. C. Ticket packages range from $65 o $300.

Join Young & Powerful at the FORWARD: Presidential Brunch at 11 a.m. the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, 420 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, D.C. Tickets range from $44 to $88 with VIP admission available.

IMPACT is hosting an Inaugural Jazz Brunch honoring “Champions of Change” from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Tuscana West, 1350 I St. NW, Washington, D.C. Tickets are $100.

Join Master of Ceremonies Roland S. Martin at the African American Church Inaugural Ball. The event will be held at the Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H Street NW in Washington, D.C. at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online and cost $300.

Omegas for Obama will host its Inauguration Ball at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport, 2799 Jefferson Davis Hwy. in Arlington, Va. The evening will include dinner, dancing, R&B from local group Just Friends and live jazz from artist Brian Lenair. Tickets cost $150.

From 8 p.m. to midnight, drop by the Dream Realized Presidential Inaugural Ball at Camelot by Martins, 13905 Central Ave. in Upper Malboro, Md. Tickets are available online and cost $75

Join the HBCU Buzz Show and the Blis.FM Family at their Inauguration Gala at the North Hall at Eastern Market, 225 7^th St., SE in Washington, D.C. Guests may attend from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tickets are available online and range from $32.50 to $65.

The White House Party 2: the Artist’s Inaugural Ball will be held at the Rock and Roll Hotel, 1353 H St., NE in Washington, D.C. from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tickets are available online and cost $70.

The HBCU Inaugural Gala Ball will be at The Sphinx Club at Franklin Square in Washington, D.C. from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Featuring comedian Finesse Mitchell and singer Vivian Green, tickets are $250.

The HBCU Presidential Inauguration Ball will be held at the International Spy Museum, 800 F St. NW, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. You may purchase a single ticket $125 or pay $200 per couple.

The H.O.P.E. Inaugural Youth Ball is one of the few places where kids can go, as long as they are accompanied by adults. Held at the historic Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW in Washington, D.C., tickets are $75. Kids of all ages are welcome.

Jack and Jill of America’s Montgomery County Maryland Chapter will host its Heritage Inaugural Ball from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Center, 1 Veterans Pl. in Silver Spring, Md. Tickets cost $25 for kids ages 5 to 17 and $50 for 18 and up, however are sold out, according to the tickets website.

Join Lt. Governor Anthony Brown at the Rhythm and Blues Reloaded Inaugural Ball at George of DC, 3251 Prospect St. NW in Washington, D.C. From 8 p.m. and 3 a.m., guests may attend.

The historic Metropolitan AME Church will host the 2013 Inaugural Second Chances Gospel Concert and Prayer Service at 1518 M St. NW in Washington, D.C. at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $55.

Join Young & Powerful at its CAPTIVATE: Semi Formal at Ultra, 911 F St., NW, Washington, D.C. at 9 p.m. Tickets range from $80 to $100. The event features heavy hors d’ovres, open bar, music and a Young & Powerful token of appreciation.

Urban Fetes will present its Executive Order Inaugural Ball 2013 at Mio Restaurant & Lounge, 1110 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington, D. C. at 9 a.m. Tickets range from $25 to $50. Early bird rates end on Jan. 20.

The 2013 Young Lawyers and Professionals Inauguration Reception will be held at Opera, 1400 I St. NW in Washington, D.C. from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is hosted by the Howard University Law Alumni Club of DC, George Washington Black Law Alumni Association, National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and the National Law Group.

IMPACT and Russell Simmons’ Hip-Hop Summit Action Network is hosting the Hip Hop Ball II, FORWARD at the Harman Center, 610 F. St. NW, Washington, D. C. from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Join special hosts LaLa Anthony and Terrence J for a night of special performances and awards. General admission is $500 and VIP admission is $1000.

Click below for the remaining listings.

MONDAY, JAN. 21

Join Biz Markie and the African Ambassadors for their 2013 Ambassadors Inaugural Ball at the Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square, 801 K St., NW in Washington, D. C. Hosted by Miss USA Nana Meriwether, guests may join the party from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $250.

The Black McDonald’s Operators Association Inaugural Ball will be hosted at the City Club of Washington, 555 13^th St. NW in Washington, D.C. from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets cost $250.

The National Congress of Black Women is hosting its all-day Inaugural Celebration at Jenny’s on the Waterfront, 1000 Water St. SW in Washington, D.C. Guests may have brunch beginning at 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Refreshments are all day and dinner is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $125.

Young & Powerful will top off Inauguration weekend with its DREAM: Black Tie Gala at the O Street Mansion, 2020 O Street, NW in Washington, D.C. Party with young professionals from 8 p.m. until early Tuesday morning. Tickets range from $100 to $144 with VIP admission available.

Join GrandMaster Dee on the turntables and Whodini at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s The People’s Inaugural Ball at L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, 420 L’Enfant Plaza SW in Washington, D. C. While tickets are $85, packages are available for other events.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is hosting its VIP Inaugural Gala and Celebration at the Capital Hilton Hotel, 1001 16^th St., NW from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Enjoy a CCIP reception, followed by the gala dinner, music, dancing and an After Gala Celebration featuring Doug E. Fresh and Big Tigger. According to the website, the CBC is “officially sold out of the $750 Inaugural Reception, Gala and Celebration tickets, but a waiting list is available. Tickets to attend the After Gala Celebration are $350, and guests may attend this event from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

State Society Inaugural Balls

Other State Society Inaugural Events

Renita D. Young is a Chicago-based multimedia journalist. Follow her on Twitter @RenitaDYoung.