On September 12, the Charles F. Kettering Foundation held a reception that celebrated the leadership of Black women and their impact on strengthening democracy during this year’s Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. Earlier that day, Joy-Ann Reid, host of MSNBC’s The ReidOut, moderated a panel discussion sponsored by the Kettering Foundation. The lively event ended the day on a high note and was attended by many policymakers, faith leaders, celebrities, activists, and a diverse group of community leaders. During the evening’s festivities, the foundation honored renowned scholar Dr. Elsie Scott by presenting her with an award for her decades of distinguished and tireless public service to American democracy.

Kettering Foundation President and CEO Sharon L. Davies introduced Scott, who is the founding director of the Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center at Howard University and previously served as president and chief executive of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Scott has taught at several universities, including Rutgers University, North Carolina Central University, and Howard University. She has served as executive director of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and deputy commissioner for training for the New York City Police Department, and is presently on the boards of several nonprofit organizations.

In the past year, Scott has collaborated with the Kettering Foundation through the Walters Center at Howard University on a project to address research gaps that lawmakers of color contend with because of lack of resources. Scott also tapped historically Black colleges and universities across the country to help address not only current needs but also anticipate future ones.

Praising her for her innovation and vision, Davies presented the foundation’s award to Scott “in appreciation for all that you have done throughout your career for the betterment of our society.”

“I am very honored and surprised,” replied Scott. She recalled her father, a civil rights activist, who was an inspiration to her. “My father was willing to give his life for the right to vote in Louisiana. Luckily, he lived through that, and he lived long enough to get the vote. I’m happy for the grounding I got from my parents and happy for all the people who helped me along the way.”