GU Honors D.C.’s Mary Brown with Legacy of a Dream Award

Georgetown University will honor Mary Brown this weekend at the Kennedy Center, for her work in founding Life Pieces to Masterpieces, a non-profit that supports young African American boys in DC's Wards 7 and 8.

Brown is this year's recipient of the annual John Thompson Jr. “Legacy of a Dream” Award, given to an individual or organization that reflects the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. "life and spirit."

"Mary Brown is a visionary who saw a need for an organization to empower young people in our nation’s capital,” Georgetown President John J. DeGioia said in a prepared statement. “We are delighted to honor her in the spirit of Dr. King for her mission to transform lives and communities right here in Washington, D.C.”

Life Pieces has assisted an estimated 1,500 boys since its founding and in the past six years 100 percent of apprentices have moved on to post-secondary education, the work force or the military after successfully graduating high school.

“We chose to work with young men and boys because that’s where we saw some of the greatest need,” Brown said in a prepared statement.

Georgetown will give Brown her award at its annual MLK concert at the Kennedy Center. This year Smokey Robinson and the Let Freedom Ring choir will be part of the annual musical celebration, a joint program between the university and the Kennedy Center since 2003.

The concert this year includes two works composed by Music Director Rev. Nolan Williams, Jr. and commissioned by Georgetown University: the opening number, “Birmingham Letter” and later "Anything."

According to a media notice, "Anything" is a tribute Brown that "reflects the hope and promise of young people." of local interest a senior at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Antonio Long, will had a solo during "Anything."

The event is free and a limited number of tickets are available to the public.

Read more: Georgetown Honors Leader’s Work with D.C. Youth; Smokey Robinson to Perform