As he enjoyed the weather and camaraderie, Shawn Townsend, president and CEO of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, who at one time served as the inaugural director of nightlife and culture, said he was amazed at the elite power gathered on the Odyssey DC, a sailing vessel that served as the site of the 31st Annual Anacostia Coordinating Council (ACC) Boat Ride on Oct. 5.
“There is good fellowship and a lot of D.C. stakeholders here,” said Townsend, 40. “Business and industry leaders are here on this boat.”
Townsend was one of 450 people who traveled the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers on the Odyssey for three hours in support of the ACC, a membership-based advocacy organization that works to improve the lives of Ward 8 residents.
Philip Pannell, ACC’s executive director, said that the boat ride serves as the organization’s fundraiser.
“This is the 31st cruise we have had,” said Pannell, 74. “The funds raised on the cruise pay for the day-to-day operations of the ACC. It also pays for the visible programs in the ward as well as the monthly free luncheons that we have every last Tuesday of the month. The funds also pay for the Ward 8 clergy monthly meetings and our online newsletter. We thank all who participate in the boat ride.”
Passengers Rock the Boat
Odyssey DC is a one-level climate-controlled glass-enclosed vessel with two main rooms on the north and south sides. The observation deck wraps around the vessel.
In the rooms individuals and organizations spread out at tables paid for by corporate and nonprofit sponsors. Guests also enjoyed champagne and mimosas as The Kim Michelle Experience and the Kenny Allen & Sydney Allen got the party started and kept it going throughout the two-hour cruise on the Potomac River.
Passengers were treated to a brunch that ranged from scrambled eggs and sausage to sliced roast beef and pastries.
D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) is an annual attendee of the boat ride. In past years, Norton could be seen doing the “Electric Slide” or the “Wobble” with the rest of the passengers, and this year was no different. She, along with D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D), another ACC boat ride regular, joined in made their respective appearances on the dance floor.
D.C. Council member Robert White (D-At Large) circulated throughout the boat, greeting friends and supporters and talking about the latest political developments in the District.
Thomas Byrd, an ACC board member, grinned as he made his way through the vessel.
“It’s our only fundraiser,” said Byrd. “We have been doing this for 31 years and we appreciate the support that we have gotten from the community. This fundraiser helps with some of our projects such as the youth bowling project where we take Ward 8 youth to the Joint Base Anacostia’s bowling lanes to teach them to bowl.”
Dr. Maurice D. Edington, the president of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), which also has a campus in Congress Heights in Ward 8, sponsored a table. Edington said he has learned the value of attending the boat ride even though this is his second year in the city.
“I am here to make sure that UDC is part of the celebration in support of the ACC,” said Edington, 54. “My staff told me last year that this was an event I needed to be at.”
Passengers were dancing to the beat throughout the trip.
Many people were delighted to see former D.C. first lady Cora Masters Barry dancing vigorously to the live band.
Lamont Mitchell, the chairman of the ACC, said the event raised about $200,000.
“We just wanted to bring everybody together and have some fun,” Mitchell said. “We didn’t want to have long, boring speeches, just people letting their hair down.”
When Townsend was asked if he will be back next year, he smiled and responded: “Yes, I will. It’s a thing now.”