We are committed to sustaining our programs.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit we are asking for your support to achieve these goals.
O Museum Awards Honoring Mrs. Rosa Parks | May 7, 2026 - 6:30pm
The O Museum Awards honor individuals whose lives and work reflect the enduring values of courage, integrity, service, and creative excellence. Inspired by the legacy of Mrs. Rosa Parks — who lived at the O Museum from 1994 to 2004 — these awards recognize those who have made a lasting impact on society through truth-telling, civic leadership, humanitarian action, and the arts. Whether through innovation, storytelling, or public service, each honoree exemplifies the quiet strength and moral clarity that defined Mrs. Parks’ life and continue to guide the mission of O Museum.
Gala Co-Chairs
Cary Hatch, Courtney & Jon Spaeth, Ernie Jarvis, Enrico A. Della Corna,
H.H. Leonards, Jack McDougle, Joe Humphries, Melanie Johnson, Steve Proctor
The evening will feature a live performance by Quiana Parler, the powerful lead vocalist of two-time Grammy Award-winning band Ranky Tanky, known for her rich, soulful sound rooted in Gullah Geechee traditions. She will perform "Enough," a song written to honor Mrs. Rosa Parks, with music by Mark Bryan of Hootie and the Blowfish and lyrics by Oscar-winning songwriter Paul Williams.
Come be inspired. Witness extraordinary stories. Celebrate the enduring power of purpose. Join us in honoring those who lead with quiet strength, whose actions speak louder than words, and whose impact endures.
2026 Award Honorees
These honorees use their gifts to uplift others, embodying the quiet strength and purpose that defined Mrs. Rosa Parks’ life.
Maria Marable-Bunch is honored with the Rosa Parks Humanitarian Award for a career that bridges history and hope. With unwavering purpose and quiet strength, she embodies the spirit of Mrs. Parks: fearless in truth, steadfast in service, and committed to building a more informed and united society.Through her visionary work in archives, museums, and education, she has brought vital stories to light — championing civil rights, honoring Native American heritage, and advancing civic responsibility.
Adele Lim is honored as O Museum’s Woman of the Year for a career that brings courage and complexity to the screen. A visionary storyteller, her writing reveals the heart of the human experience — exploring resilience, grace, and truth with rare depth and clarity. Beyond the page, her fearless advocacy for creative equity and professional respect echoes the quiet strength of Mrs. Parks. With every story she tells and every stand she takes, she elevates voices, inspires audiences, and moves culture forward.
Richard K. Bynum is honored with the O Museum Humanitarian Award for leadership that bridges business and purpose with lasting impact. At PNC and beyond, he has championed long-term strategies that expand opportunity, financial access, and civic responsibility — always grounded in service, integrity, and results. He leads not for recognition, but because it's right — modeling the kind of clear-eyed, values-driven leadership that defined Mrs. Parks’ legacy and continues to inspire meaningful change.
Marla Blow is honored with the Leadership Award for a career dedicated to driving meaningful change across philanthropy, business, and government. As President and CEO of the Skoll Foundation, and through her earlier work helping launch the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, founding FS Card Inc., and leading inclusive growth at Mastercard, she has spent more than 25 years expanding opportunity for underserved communities. Her belief is that opportunity should be within reach for everyone.
Visionaries Who Have Inspired Change: Celebrated Recipients
OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
This year-long celebration, featuring appearances by artists, performers, and storytellers from all walks of life, also highlights school children who have been inspired by our programs. Their continued engagement and success are made possible through the support of the following sponsors, whose contributions directly help empower our initiatives and bring these experiences to life.
$80,000+
$30,000+
Anonymous
Rebecca Bentzinger
DCAH
PIR Marketing
Susie Markland
Paul Cohn
James Towne
Alvin Stenzel
Nicolas Demidio
Sitar Arts Center
20/20 O Street Corporation
Kingdom of Kush
PNC Foundation
Girl Scouts Nation's Capital
growth[period]
$10,000+
MGM National Harbor
Ralph-Joerg Wezorke
Monument Sports & Entertainment
The Kerry S. Pearson LLC
J.P. Clark, Partner, Square, Patton, Boggs
A Scott Bolden esq., Reed Smith
$5,000+
Nancy Aikin
Mark Bryan
Reston Limousine
Carol Reubel
Heaven's Door
Anonymous
Karen Feld
OCTFME
Coca-Cola Consolidated
USA for Africa
Z Stein Law
Gregg Casten, ProFish
Arlene Gimovsky
Catherine Chapin
Kalle
Bicast
$2,500+
Open Water
Michael Scher
Dave Copps
Heather Gerum
James Coplestone
Diane Darling
Papalonia Jewelers
Jim LeBlanc
Christopher Dupuis
$1,000+
Founder's Day Roaring 20s Gala
One Night. Countless Stories. An Unforgettable Legacy.
November 11th, 2026 | 6PM
Join us for a spectacular evening as we celebrate a milestone like no other — the 75th birthday of our visionary founder and 45 incredible years of O Museum in The Mansion.
• Dance the night away to the #1 big band in the country — Chou Chou's Imperial Palms Swing Band
• Elegant Dinner & Decadent Desserts — A feast as unforgettable as the company
• Silent and live auction of unique one of a kind items!
• Hidden Doors & Historic Treasures — Explore the most magical museum in DC
• Dancing, Discovery & Toasts to the Future
This is more than a party — it’s a celebration of a legacy built on creativity, courage, and impact. Every ticket helps sustain our arts and education programs, empowering individuals through the universal language of music, storytelling, and discovery.
Space is limited — reserve your spot today and be part of history in the making.
Thank you to our generous 2025 sponsors
Platinum
A. Scott Bolden Esq., Reed Smith
Paul Cohn
Events DC
Google
Hubspot
J.R. Clark, Partner, Square, Patton, Boggs
PIR Marketing
The Kerry S. Pearson LLC
Vital Services Contractors
Gold
DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, & Entertainment
DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Greg Casten, ProFish, James Towne
Host Committee
Nancy Aiken
Raymone Bain
Roy Beaumont
Rebecca Bentzinger
Kristina Bouweiri
Ayanna Brown
John Dillon
Karen Feld
Arlene Gimovsky
Susie Markland
Carol Reubel
Alvin Stenzel