Black media, politics, and glamour converged at Byron Allen’s Washington D.C. Gala
Luminaries from media, politics, and entertainment had "A Seat at the Table" to celebrate Gayle King as Byron Allen presented the second annual Washington D.C. Gala.
For those in the know, “Nerd Prom” is the moniker given to the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, the event that brought together faces from across media, politics, and entertainment on Saturday, April 29, in Washington, D.C. Similarly, the evening’s hottest afterparty, Byron Allen Presents the Washington, D.C. Gala, also has a nickname; now in its second year, we at theGrio fondly call the star-studded event “A Seat at the Table.”
One look at the event’s step-and-repeat should explain why. Wearing their gala finery, Black luminaries from all sectors joined theGrio family at the National Museum of African American History and Culture to celebrate journalist Gayle King’s incredible career and ongoing impact. Correspondents’ Dinner host comedian Roy Wood, Jr. pulled a second shift as host of the filled-to-capacity event, where the red carpet was set alight by several of the most influential and dynamic Black thought leaders of our time, from veteran politician activist Rep. Bobby Rush to “1619 Project” creator Nikole Hannah-Jones. As always, theGrio was on hand to capture all the evening’s glamour; see our glamorous guests in our gallery below.
Byron Allen presents Gayle King with the Journalist Icon Award at “Byron Allen Presents the Washington, D.C. Gala” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. on April 29, 2023. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Gayle King attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Diana Ross performs at “Byron Allen Presents the Washington, D.C. Gala” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. on April 29, 2023. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Byron Allen and Jennifer Lucas attend as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
(left to right) Lauren Lake, Patricia Wilson and Eboni K Williams attend as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
April Ryan, left, and Jennifer Lucas attend “Byron Allen Presents the Washington, D.C. Gala” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. on April 29, 2023. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Nikole Hannah-Jones attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
a friend attend “Byron Allen Presents the Washington, D.C. Gala” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. on April 29, 2023. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Tennessee State Rep. Justin Jones attends “Byron Allen Presents the Washington, D.C. Gala” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. on April 29, 2023. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Ben Crump attends “Byron Allen Presents the Washington, D.C. Gala” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. on April 29, 2023. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
TheGrio’s Natasha Alford and Byron Allen attend as Allen Media Group Celebrates Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
attend “Byron Allen Presents the Washington, D.C. Gala” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. on April 29, 2023. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Carolyn Folks, left, and Eboni K. Williams attend “Byron Allen Presents the Washington, D.C. Gala” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. on April 29, 2023. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
TheGrio’s Michael Harriot attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Bevy Smith attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Dr. Christina Greer of theGrio attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
DJ Ty Alexander at “Byron Allen Presents the Washington, D.C. Gala” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. on April 29, 2023. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Gerren Keith Gaynor, Political Editor of theGrio, attends as Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
TheGrio’s Touré attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at the National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Chef Melba Wilson attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Rep. Bobby Rush and Paulette Rush attend as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Michael Harriott and Panama Jackson attend “Byron Allen Presents the Washington, D.C. Gala” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. on April 29, 2023. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Alivia Roberts (Miss District of Columbia) attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at the National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
April Reign, creator of #OscarsSoWhite, attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Ann Marchant attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at the National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
B Dhat attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Beth Lynk, HUD’s Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs, attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Byron Allen attends as he and his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Chante Waters of Unilever and Francis Timothy Tozer attend as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Charles Olawole attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Charmain Kinder, Dir. of Communications for the Peace Corps, attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Cheryl McKissack Daniel of McKissack Construction and Dr. Samuel Daniel attend as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Cheyanne Daniels attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
(Left to right) Marc Lamont Hill, Justin J. Pearson, Oceana Gilliam attend “Byron Allen Presents the Washington, D.C. Gala” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. on April 29, 2023. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Claradith E. Landry, CEO of Cognac et Creme, attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Congresswoman Nikema Williams attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Dept. Asst. Secretary Alan Williams and Adreona Williams attend as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Derrick Johnson, CEO of the NAACP, attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Donald Remy attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Donald “Ski” Johnson attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Aba Blankson, Chief Marketing Officer of the NAACP, attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at the National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023, in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Dr. Christina Edmondson attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey of Fox Soul’s Black Report attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Adrienne Lopez attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at the National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Dr. Patricia McDougall attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Ekemini Uwan attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Florida Rep. Congressman Byron Donalds and Erika Donalds attend as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Dr. Richard Myles attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Richard Chapin Downs Jr./Getty Images)
White House Reporter Akayla Gardner attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Richard Chapin Downs Jr./Getty Images)
Television personality and political commentator Wendy Osefo attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Richard Chapin Downs Jr./Getty Images)
Byron Allen and Carolyn Folks attend as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Richard Chapin Downs Jr./Getty Images)
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and Brit Mason attend as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
TV host Jawn Murray, Executive Producer of the Sherri Shepard Show attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Judge Lauren Lake attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Kamara Jones, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Fox Sports’ Kelsey Nicole Nelson attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer of Proctor and Gamble and Byron Allen attend as Allen Media Group Celebrates Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Maryland Governor Wes Moore and first lady Dawn Moore attend as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Maryland State Delegate Caylin Young attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Melissa Bryant, Sr. Advisor to Sec. McDonough, attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Michele Ghee, President of Multicultural Advertising for Allen Media Group attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Modupé Congleton, Head of DEI for Amazon Stores and Ricky Congleton attend as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
TheGrio’s Panama Jackson attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Princell Hair, President of Allen Media Broadcasting and guest attend as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
MSNBC President Rashida Jones and Ed Fisher attend as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Rep. Gwen Moore attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Actress Sandi McCree attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at the National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Marissa Perez Cardona attend as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Terrence Hayes, Press Secretary for the Dept. of Veteran Affairs, attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Yvonne Carr attends as Byron Allen & his Allen Media Group Celebrate Gayle King at the Washington D.C. Gala after The White House Correspondents Dinner at National Museum Of African American History & Culture on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Allen Johnson)
Of course, before the afterparty, there was the party itself at the Washington Hilton. This year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner was also a fashion-filled affair, as guests took a rare opportunity to eschew office-appropriate attire for an array of evening gowns and tuxes. What familiar faces graced the event’s red carpet this year? See for yourself in our gallery below.
Model Winnie Harlow arrives for the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Sunny Hostin arrives for the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Musician Ski Johnson arrives for the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Roy Wood Jr. attends the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Francesca Chambers attends the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Kristen Welker attends the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Angelica Ross attends the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Karine Jean-Pierre attends the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Al Sharpton attends the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Ayanna Presley attends the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Ego Nwodim attends the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
(Left to right) Gayle King, Brittney Griner and Cherelle Griner attend the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Atoya Burleson and Nate Burleson attend the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Lawrence Jones attends the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend attend the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Rosario Dawson attends the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Laura Coates attends the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
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