Walker and Townsend honored in D.C.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation honored author Alice Walker and actor Robert Townsend at a ceremony in Washington Wednesday night.

The 14th annual Celebration of Leadership in the Fine Arts was held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The program was part of fundraising/scholarship activities of the CBCF's 40th annual Legislative Conference. More than 12,000 people are expected to attend the four-day conference.

"The increase in scholarship applications indicates the importance of the arts programs in schools," CBCF Board Chairman and former teacher Rep. Donald M. Payne, D-N.J., said in a statement. "The Foundation and the (the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses) recognize that students should have a full realm of academic challenges as well as opportunities to explore the fine arts."