On Thursday, April 4th, the Center for Excellence in Public Leadership at the College of Professional Studies, hosted the 21st Annual Cafritz Awards Gala, celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of the winners of this year’s Cafritz Awards program. The Gala was attended by the President of the George Washington University Dr. Ellen Granberg, CPS Dean Liesl Riddle, the leadership of the George Washington University, as well as members of The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, and representatives of the DC Government. The program was hosted on the campus of the George Washington University and was streamed live.
The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation partners with the Center for Excellence in Public Leadership to recognize and reward outstanding performance and exemplary service by DC Government employees. This prestigious Cafritz Awards program honors exceptional individuals and teams for their unwavering dedication, innovation, and positive impact on the Washington DC community. For the past 21 years, the Cafritz Awards have awarded over 106 individuals and 7 innovative teams from the introduction of the team award category in 2015. Each year, the five individual winners each receive a $7,500 cash prize and the winning team receives a $15,000 cash prize, shared equally among the team members.
This year's Cafritz Awards, marking the 21st year of the program, has set a historic benchmark with an astounding 73 nominations and a record-breaking 70 applications, comprising 24 team applications and 46 individual submissions. Among the exceptional talent, 14 individuals and 10 teams emerged as finalists.
Five individuals and one team were then crowned 2024 Cafritz Awards Winners. Congratulations to Reginald Gerod Blackwell Sr., Nicholas Bonard, Charles J. Guddemi, Parythina Harris, Latrena M. Owens, and the Office of Migrant Services, DC Department of Human Services (DHS) team: Justin B. Brown, Debra R. Crawford, Tatiana Laborde, and Joseph Lippi.
Cafritz Award Winner Biographies
“The Cafritz Awards represent the pinnacle of public service excellence, showcasing the tireless dedication of our government employees in making a lasting impact on our city. Their achievements inspire us all to continue striving for excellence in service to the residents of the District of Columbia.”
Charles Hall, Jr.
Director, DC Department of Human Resources
