The Cordish Companies, Live! Casino & Hotel and The Maryland Washington Minority Companies Association (MWMCA) Celebrate the 7Th Annual Black History Heroes Awards

Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones Among Regional Business and Community Leaders Honored for their Contributions and Accomplishments During Black History Month Celebration

In celebration of Black History Month, The Cordish Companies, Live! Casino & Hotel and the Md. Washington Minority Companies Association (MWMCA) celebrated the 7th annual Black History Heroes Awards. The ceremony held at Live! Center Stage recognized 10 Maryland and DC business and community leaders who have contributed to their communities and citizens in a positive way.

Several of the honorees gave remarks during the ceremony, including Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones, who discussed the importance of educating future generations about influential African-American leaders in our nation’s history. She urged the crowd to take time to visit the two newly unveiled statues of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass in the Old House of Delegates Chamber at the Maryland State House.

David Gadis, CEO and General Manager of DC Water spoke about the sacrifices made by so many trailblazers, like the honorees being recognized at the celebration, to continue to ensure that our communities prioritize diversity and inclusivity. Former Negro league Baseball Star Luther “Luke” Atkinson delivered the evening’s keynote speech highlighting his incredible career and discussed the racism that his teammates faced on a daily basis. Atkinson remarked, “Although my teammates knew what we were up against, we persevered. We all played for tomorrow and for the love of the game.” Atkinson also highlighted 2020 as the 100th anniversary of Negro Leagues Baseball.

The 2020 Black History Heroes honorees included:

• Luther “Luke” Atkinson - Former Negro league Baseball Star, Satchel Paige All Stars
• Adrienne A. Jones - House Speaker/Member, District 10, Maryland House of Delegates
• David L. Gadis - CEO and General Manager, DC Water
• Joseph T. Jones, Jr. - President and CEO, Center for Urban Families
• Roz Hamlett - Director of Multimedia Communications, Anne Arundel County, MD
• Le Gretta Ross-Rawlins - Baltimore Postmaster, United States Post Office
• Bert J. Hash, Jr. - Former President and CEO, Municipal Employees Credit Union (MECU)
• Warner H. Session, Esq. - Principal and Board Member, Session Law Firm, P.C./Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA)
• Janice Hayes-Williams - Coordinator, Cultural Resources – Department of Planning and Zoning, Anne Arundel County, MD
• David Wilson - President, Morgan State University

“We are incredibly honored to host the seventh installment of the Black History Heroes Awards at Live! Casino & Hotel, honoring African-American community leaders across Baltimore and DC,” said Zed Smith, COO, The Cordish Companies. “Commitment to diversity and inclusion is core to our company culture, so this event is very special for our team. The honorees being recognized are influencers that are impacting change for future generations and creating lasting legacy as we enter into a new decade. This celebration is just a small token of our appreciation for all of their efforts to positively impact the lives of others.”

“We value the strong partnership we have forged with The Cordish Companies and Live! Casino & Hotel and thank them for continuing to host such an inspiring evening that helps us celebrate our community heroes,” said Wayne Frazier, President, Md. Washington Minority Companies Association. “We are pleased to recognize these talented business and community professionals and show our appreciation for their significant contributions and accomplishments that make such a difference.”

About Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland

The AAA Four Diamond rated Live! Casino & Hotel is one of the largest commercial casinos in the country, located in the Washington DC/Baltimore corridor, just off I-95, Route 100 and the B/W Parkway at Arundel Mills. Open 24/7/365, the property features more than 200 live action table games, including a Poker Room; approximately 4,000 slot machines; two High Limit rooms; and the Orchid Gaming & Smoking Patio. Guests can enjoy award-winning accommodations, including 310 luxury guest rooms; the Live! Spa; world-class dining, featuring the Zagat-rated #1 steakhouse The Prime Rib®; David’s, featuring global cuisine; Bobby’s Burger Palace, from celebrated chef Bobby Flay; The Cheesecake Factory®; Luk Fu and 8 at Luk Fu, serving authentic sushi and Asian cuisine; Morty’s Deli; Latin cuisine at En Vivo; the Orchid Kitchen; and Luckies, offering Starbucks coffee, pastries, and Italian gelato; and a sizzling nightlife, including nightly entertainment at Live! Center Stage; the R Bar; and The Lobby Bar at David’s. The Hall @ Live!, a 4,800-seat, three-story multi-use concert and event venue, featuring 40,000-square-feet of customizable meeting space and up to 1,600 banquet seating, with a performance lineup of headline entertainment, completes the Live! experience. Enjoy secure covered parking with valet service and a free self-park garage with Park Assist® and direct elevator access to the casino floor. For reservations, call 443-445-2929, or book online at LiveCasinoHotel.com. Live! Casino & Hotel is owned and operated by a company that is affiliated with The Cordish Companies. Call 855-5MD-LIVE (855-563-5483); or visit LiveCasinoHotel.com or LiveCasino.social. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For employment opportunities, visit www.LiveCasinoHotel.com/jobs.

About The Cordish Companies

The Cordish Companies’ origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately-held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, The Cordish Companies has grown into a global leader in Commercial Real Estate; Entertainment Districts; Sports-Anchored Developments; Gaming; Hotels; Residential Properties; Restaurants; International Development; Coworking Spaces; and Private Equity. One of the largest and most respected developers in the world, The Cordish Companies has been awarded an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for public-private developments that are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. The Cordish Companies has developed and operates highly acclaimed dining, entertainment and hospitality destinations throughout the United States, many falling under The Cordish Companies’ Live! Brand, highly regarded as one of the premier entertainment brands in the country. In gaming, The Cordish Companies has developed among the most successful casino hotel resorts in the world including the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa and Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland. Welcoming over 55 million visitors per year, these developments are among the highest profile dining, entertainment, gaming, hotel and sports-anchored destinations in the country. Over the generations, The Cordish Companies has remained true to the family’s core values of quality, entrepreneurial spirit, long-term personal relationships, and integrity. As a testimony to the long-term vision of its family leadership, The Cordish Companies still owns and manages virtually every business it has created. For more information visit www.cordish.com or follow us on Twitter.

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