R&B Headliner Mary J. Blige to Perform for Diversity Honors Gala

R&B Headliner Mary J. Blige to Perform for Diversity Honors Gala
National Awards Program Set for New York’s Lincoln Center

WASHINGTON D.C. – Grammy Award-winning performer Mary J. Blige will bring her electric R&B style to New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on September 17 as headline entertainment for the annual Diversity Honors Gala. Hosted by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), the red-carpet event will bring together members of the legal and business communities to celebrate advancements in diversity and inclusion.

During her performance, Mary J. Blige will present a powerful selection of R&B hits that have earned her international acclaim and nine Grammy awards. The event will be emceed by Carl Quintanilla, CNBC anchor and NBC news correspondent.

“MCCA is thrilled to welcome such a distinguished entertainer,” said Joseph West, President and CEO of MCCA. “Mary J. Blige has a rare gift to move and inspire an audience, and we believe her performance will complement the spirit of the gala. We thank Mitchell, Silberberg and Knupp, one of our Presenting Sponsors, for their assistance in making this performance possible.”

The Diversity Honors Gala will showcase diversity leaders in the legal profession. Ursula M. Burns, Chairman and CEO of Xerox Corporation, will be honored with MCCA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for important and lasting contributions to advancing a society that fully appreciates, celebrates and recognizes the value of diversity. Also, five Employers of Choice will be recognized for exemplary commitment to diversity and creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace. MCCA will also recognize diversity innovators, corporate legal departments, law firms or legal bar associations, which implement outstanding diversity programs.

The gala is being organized by a prestigious steering committee that includes members of leading legal departments and law firms, including:

• Lucy Lee Helm, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Starbucks Corporation;
• Michelle C. Ifill, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of  Verizon Enterprise Solutions;
• Wood W. Lay, Partner, of Winston and Strawn;
• Tom Sager, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of DuPont;
• Gloria Santona, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of McDonald’s Corporation;
• Brad Smith, General Counsel and Executive Vice President, Legal and Corporate Affairs, of Microsoft Corporation; and
• Benjamin F. Wilson, Managing Principal, of Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.

Several major organizations are supporting the gala, including Presenting Sponsors Microsoft Corporation and Mitchell, Silberberg and Knupp, and Underwriting Sponsors DuPont, Walmart, Xerox and Cravath, Swain & Moore. See MCCA’s website for a complete list of sponsors.

Limited tickets remain for the Diversity Honors Gala. To order tickets or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Jennifer Chen, Vice President – External Relations, at JenChen@mcca.com or 202-739-5902. For more about the gala, go to mcca.com/gala.

About Mary J. Blige 
Mary J. Blige released her first album, “What’s the 411?,” in 1992, and has produced eight multi-platinum efforts since then. During her career, her music has sold more than 50 million albums and 15 million singles worldwide. Blige has received nine Grammy awards and the Legends Award from the World Music Awards. She also earned notable screen credits for starring in the 2009 Tyler Perry box-office hit “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” and for her role in the 2012 musical comedy “Rock of Ages.” In 2012, VH1 ranked Blige number nine in its list of “The 100 Greatest Women in Music.”

About MCCA
MCCA was founded in 1997 to advance the hiring, retention and promotion of diverse attorneys in legal departments and the law firms that serve them. MCCA accomplishes its mission through publishing, research and training, pipeline initiatives and networking. MCCA’s work has been recognized with awards from the National Minority Business Council, Inc., the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National LGBT Bar, and the Association of Corporate Counsel. MCCA is headquartered in Washington, D.C. For more information, go to mcca.com.