FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mayor Muriel Bowser Formally Honors MelaninCON DC, the Black Excellence Summit That Has Been Feeding Communities and Elevating Professionals Since 2021

In a signed letter of appreciation, DC's Mayor recognizes the nonprofit summit that turned street-level community service into a national movement for Black professionals, now expanding to cities across the country in 2026

WASHINGTON, DC Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has issued a formal letter of appreciation to MelaninCON DC, the annual multi-day summit produced by A Celebration of Us, Inc., a DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to celebrating Black excellence, entrepreneurship, and community power. Signed April 1, 2026, and issued on behalf of more than 700,000 District residents, the letter calls MelaninCON DC's contributions to the city "vital," a designation that reflects not just what happens inside the summit, but what the organization has been doing in the streets of DC for years.

Since its debut in 2023 at Arena Stage, MelaninCON DC has drawn Black entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals from across the nation, including attendees traveling more than 1,300 miles, for a multi-day experience built around real speakers, actionable programming, and unapologetic celebration of Black culture. The summit has delivered panels, pitch competitions, wellness tracks featuring Black medical professionals, and gala experiences rooted in Black excellence. Coverage from FOX News, DC News Now, and The Washington Informer has documented its rise into one of the most anticipated Black professional convenings on the East Coast.

But Mayor Bowser's recognition goes deeper than the summit itself. The letter specifically honors the organization's years of street-level community service across the District, a commitment that predates MelaninCON entirely. In 2021, founder Donovan Woodberry and The Posh Standard created Posh Packages, distributing over $1,000 in gift cards directly to homeless residents surrounding Union Station. In 2022, the organization returned with care packages of essential supplies for homeless communities across Northwest DC. Then in 2023, under the MelaninCON banner, the team executed its most expansive effort yet, feeding the entire Northeast quadrant of Washington, DC, from Hechinger Mall to Ivy City, providing healthy meal options to residents in need along Benning Road and beyond.

"We were in the streets before we were on the stage," said Donovan, founder of MelaninCON and Chief Operating Officer of A Celebration of Us, Inc. "For us, Black excellence has never just been about who's winning in the boardroom. It's about going back to the block, making sure our people are fed, that they have what they need, and that they know somebody sees them. This letter from Mayor Bowser is confirmation that the work is real and we are just getting started."

In 2026, MelaninCON DC is expanding into a year-round national platform. The ECHO Amplified Program, a free monthly virtual workshop series, launched in March 2026, making professional development accessible to Black entrepreneurs and creatives regardless of zip code or budget. The ECHO Pulse Tour will follow, bringing MelaninCON's signature energy to Black communities in cities across the country through in-person activations, pitch competitions, and local entrepreneur grants. Past brand partners have included Warner Brothers, Walmart, Bonobos, and Events DC. In 2025, Verizon sponsored 50 HBCU students to attend the summit free of charge.

About MelaninCON DC

MelaninCON DC is an annual summit focused on Black excellence, entrepreneurship, and community impact, produced by A Celebration of Us, Inc., a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Since 2023, the summit has grown into one of the premier platforms for Black professionals, creators, and community leaders on the East Coast. MelaninCON DC has received coverage from FOX News, DC News Now, and the Washington Informer.

Media Contact

Donovan

Founder, MelaninCON DC | COO, A Celebration of Us, Inc.

Washington, DC

www.melanincon.com

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