This years honorees are Sam Gilliam, internationally celebrated as the leading contemporary African-American color field painter and lyrical abstractionist, and Tyler Perry, the American playwright, screenwriter, actor, director and producer of numerous successful films and stage plays.

The Celebration of Leadership program will kick off the Spouses activities as part of the CBCFs 39th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. More than 18,000 people are expected to attend the four-day conference.

Since the early sixties, Mr. Gilliam has been recognized as an original and innovative color field painter. His works have been in the public collections of major museums including Art Institute of Chicago, Corcoran Gallery of Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. From his first stirring play, I Know Ive Been Changed, to his latest blockbuster film I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Mr. Perrys sense of humor, combined with a message of redemption and hope, have made him one of the most sought after Hollywood entities.

More than 300 performing and visual arts students applied for this national scholarship program a 100 percent increase from last year. Twenty students will receive scholarships. The increase in scholarship applications indicates the importance of the arts programs in schools, said Simone-Marie Meeks, CBC Spouse chair. The Spouses recognize that students should have a full realm of academic challenges as well as opportunities to explore the fine arts.