Last night, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation hosted its inaugural AcceptAbility Gala at the Ritz Carlton to raise funds for one of the most common, yet under-funded chromosomal conditions – an estimated 400,000 Americans are affected by Down syndrome each year.

Global Ambassadors DeOndra Dixon (sister to Jamie Foxx) and 2018 Global Ambassador Frank Stephens made a case for funding life-changing research.

This year, the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Awards were given to Reps. Tom Cole and Rosa DeLauro. Past award recipients include Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Pete Sessions and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton. This year’s gala featured a performance by Grammy nominee Cassadee Pope.

(Photos by Jeremy McKnight)

Spotted: Global’s Michelle Sie Whitten, Frank Stephens, and Martha Cronen, DeOndra Dixon, Sen. Roy and Abby Blunt, Rep. Tom Cole, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Rep. Nita Lowey, Rep. Pete Sessions, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Rep. Mike Coffman, Rep. Rob Estes, Autria Godfrey WJLA, Amy Best Weiss with AmEx, Paul Lindsay and Marissa Watkins with PhRMA, Mat Lapinski with Crossroads Strategies, Susan Hirschmann, Erin Book Mullen, Cheryl Jaeger Williams & Jensen, Kevin Brennan Faegre, Julie Riccio from PWC, Joanna McIntosh with NCTA, Jonathan Grella from US Travel and wife Lauren Grella, Paul Cancienne with Charter Communications, Katherine Raab, Nickles Group, Mary Sumpter Lapinski from HHS, Monica Popp with Senator Cornyn’s office, Scott Raab McConnell, Nicole Foltz from Speaker Ryan’s office,  Josh Grogis from Rep. Tom Cole’s office, Sara Rogers, Navigators