With a distinctive devotion to her craft, Raymone Bain stands in a class by herself.

By Adoria Doucette

Second Lady Jill Biden, Raymone Bain, First Lady Michelle Obama

For many years, Raymone Bain has been at the epicenter of power in politics and the business of entertainment. Her professional accomplishments as a private strategist are second to none.

Bain’s ambitious attitude, rock solid values, unwavering work ethic, and vibrant personal style make her one of the most purposeful mavericks who define the best of the Washingtonian lifestyle. After graduating from Spelman College and Georgetown University Law Center, Ms. Bain made the bold, highly calculated and prescient decision to apply her skills to the sports and entertainment business, guiding the careers of the world’s most famous faces in music, sports, and politics.

With her coveted relationships with our cultures most celebrated personalities, Ms. Bain has been instrumental in introducing those seeking the most powerful position in the country to key players who publicly supported and endorsed their quest to win the Presidency. In the 2008 Presidential election, Ms. Bain had  a different role … fundraiser, first as member of then Senator HillaryClinton’s National Finance Committee; and ultimately, as fundraiser for President Obama’s National Campaign.

Raymone is not just smart; her counsel is treasured because of her innate political savvy and effectiveness. Ms. Bain’s client list has been the who’s who of the sports and entertainment world. The connections of Ms. Bain have proven invaluable to her clients and causes. Even amongst powerful politicians and entertainers that can afford advice from anyone, a relationship with Ms. Bain has proven itself to be priceless and uniquely fruitful for her clients. Bain has represented an array of superstar clients including,  Tennis Great Serena Williams, Janet Jackson, and “The Kings and Queens of Comedy”, which included Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Bernie Mac and Oscar winner, Monique.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton & Raymone Bain

In the philanthropic community, Bain was one of the founding board  members of the Boarder Baby Project; she worked tirelessly with the  International Aids Trust Foundation, Co-Chaired by President Bill Clinton and one of her clients, 10-Time Grammy singer/songwriter/producer Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, and has privately orchestrated Client support for child immunization, world hunger, genocide, education, homelessness, and the plight of women and children in countries struck by crisis and violence. Bain is also a longtime Board Member of the Recreation Wish List Committee, founded by former DC First Lady, Cora Masters Barry.

Power Source is honored to showcase Raymone Bain as a Washingtonian that clearly elevates through excellence. Through her boutique Georgetown quarters, Ms. Bain and her staff are meticulously planning to broaden her horizons to effectuate progress and innovation across the varied interests of the Raymone K. Bain Companies LLC.

Lauren Von Der Pool unveils Cafe Green.

By Adoria Doucette

Lauren Von Der Pool

Over the past 10 years there has been a movement around the world to revolutionize global food consumption habits. While the green movement has been large and loud, hard working entrepreneurs like Lauren Von Der Pool are the primary variable that will actually bring this vision of healthy and responsible living into the homes of the masses.

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Wynton Marsalis urges action in Washington to address vital national issues.

By Adoria Doucette

Jazz at Lincoln Center Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis and United States Senator Roland Burris

Two Power Source veterans Senator Roland Burris and Wynton Marsalis connected at the Kennedy Center recently as the Washington Performing Arts Society presented Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, featuring  Wynton Marsalis.

After working into the night and participating in a late vote on the Senate floor, Senator Roland Burris was welcomed by Marsalis into his dressing room while senior members of the orchestra and the Senators private assistant feasted on authentic New Orleans gumbo. Marsalis voiced his concerns about the state of affairs around the country, and he urged Senator Burris to continue to do all that he could in the Senate to further the cause of those who are most in need. Power Source commends these two gentlemen for their respective examples of excellence in their professions, and their joint devotion to improving the lives of Americans who are currently experiencing difficult times.

George Clinton’s creative imagination will continue to move millions.

By Adoria Doucette

The One and Only - George Clinton

At Rams Head on Friday night, 68 year old George Clinton gave the sold out crowd exactly what they were looking for, a mesmerizing 4 hour show. When describing to Power Source his fans, his journey, and the music: “One nation under a groove” sums it all up. George Clinton’s creative imagination will continue to move millions.

George Clinton has been one of music’s most iconic innovators for over 35 years. Clinton is the architect of “Funk” which emerged as a massively successful new music genre in the late 60’s. Clinton has crisscrossed the globe countless times performing his melodic, rhythmic grooves in front of an audience that is diverse in age and ethnicity, from one extreme to the other.

Clinton’s creations of the Parliament and Funkadelic bands created over 40 hit songs in the 70’s and began the 80’s with the smash hit “Atomic Dog”. During the 80’s he had a diversity of success from Tracey Ullman’s theme song to the Red Hot Chili Peppers second studio album. Beginning in the 90’s and until this very day Clinton has become one of music’s most sampled artists, influencing and collaborating with hundreds of musicians all while maintaining his originality and authenticity. His work ethic and travel schedule are unmatched and his career has reached an undeniable artistic grandeur. As a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, only Clinton could command such a devoted following around the world across every imaginable demographic.

Thank you George, for your festive spirit and constant touring which has for decades made countless parties from grand ballrooms to street festivals extraordinary.

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A patriotic energy filled the air last night at the Kennedy Center during Stevie Wonders concert benefiting the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

By Adoria Doucette

A special poem was written by 16 year old Duke Ellington junior Sarai Reed who is a student in the Literary Media and Communications Department, the poem was presented to Mr. Wonder in braille.

Mr. Stevie Wonder was adamant about giving back to the community and expressed his honor for performing to benefit the Ellington school cause, because Wonder started as a gifted child musician himself.

Shortly after gracing the stage and performing two songs, Stevie Wonder acknowledged The First Lady of the United States. Mr. Wonder expressed his admiration for Mrs. Obama and President Obama. He further revealed to the audience that all of us should use love and meaningful partnership to continue to advance causes such as the Ellington Fund. The Duke Ellington School choir performed with Stevie Wonder and was amazing, for all that witnessed their performance it was clearly evident that we all should continue to support the efforts of these young, aspiring brilliantly talented architects of art.

The enormity of his talent filled the room with songs that inspired people beyond explanation; the audience of over 2,000 prominent Washingtonians was excited, leaping from their seats to dance throughout the show.

At the VIP reception with Stevie following his performance; purposeful Washingtonians mingled with Ellington students and staff in celebrating a successful evening.  The evening was amazing for all that attended, it was nothing short of a huge success.

The First Lady of the United States is acknowledged by Stevie Wonder and the audience at the Kennedy Center.

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Music icon Stevie Wonder lends his support to usher in the next era of work by the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

By Adoria Doucette

Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Pre-professional arts training programs in dance, music, museum studies, literary media, theater and more

A familiar site in the hills of Georgetown is the towering roman style portico of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, the district’s premier high school dedicated to arts education. Georgetown triumphantly houses a handful of the world’s best private high schools; The Duke Ellington School has been producing leaders in dance, theatre, art and film since its inception in 1974.

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Dr. Alfred Goldson and his wife, the prominent attorney Amy Goldson have set the standard for their community, profession and two daughters Erin and Ava.

By Adoria Doucette

Ava, Amy & Erin Goldson - Photo By Louis Myrie

While Presidential families dominate media exposure of the nation’s capital, several local families remain at the height of influence and community development as Presidential couples come and go. Power Source is proud to introduce another important Washington first family, The Goldsons, who have for the past three decades exemplified the best of the best of Washington DC life.

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The Murphy family has been influential in our region since the early 19th century. In the 20th century, The Honorable William H. Murphy Sr. was the scion of the family and a legend in Maryland. The family legacy continues with Former Circuit Court Judge William H. Murphy Jr., who is widely respected as one of the most extraordinary attorneys in the nation.  His firm is led by his son, Managing Partner William H. Murphy III.

By Adoria Doucette

William H. Murphy III & William H. Murphy Jr.

William H Murphy Jr. holds the distinction of having the largest winning percentage in the history of the Maryland Bar. For over 100 years, the Murphys have been among the elite families of Maryland. Murphy’s father, former Maryland District Judge The Honorable William H. Murphy Sr. instilled in his children a regiment of intellectual precision and responsibility to the community that has dominated the family business, political and community activities for over 100 years.  Mr. Murphy possess the rare and innate mastery of logic, probabilistic reasoning, psychology and tactical skills required to litigate and win the most nuanced and important cases of our time. Mr. Murphy’s methodical approach to his victories stem from his training as an electrical engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Cambridge, MA prior to attending law school at the University of Maryland School of Law.

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The Morgan Library & Museum

By Adoria Doucette

Every powerful civilization attempts to intelligently manage treasured documents and artifacts of culture. Archaeologists regularly excavate great libraries from Ancient Sumerian, Mesopotamian, and Babylonian civilizations. In the 7^th century BC, The Assyrian monarch Ashurbanipal commissioned a survey of every ancient seat of learning which provided outsiders the first glimpse of the historically significant Epic of Gilgamesh. Ashurbanipal declared himself “King of the World” and had a stunning collection of scientific and religious texts. The Greek era produced the famed Pergamum library at Acropolis, along with the great library at Alexandria in Egypt, whose last director, Hypatia, who is a woman celebrated in scholastic circles for the last 1400 years due to the magnitude of her accomplishments.  Large private libraries of prominent Greek citizens like Aristotle, Euripides, Peisistratus, and Polycrates set the model that the Romans would later eclipse by establishing an official Director of Libraries for the City of Rome. Further south, generations of Timbuktu scholars meticulously kept archives of their culture. Through the latter part of the Middle Ages great European educational libraries dominated the landscape prior to the Vatican accumulating a collection that was unmatched in the world until 1905, when a native Washingtonian decided to make her mark on history.

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Luxury and elegance are the backdrop of a cultural revolution in Washington DC and Dominique Alexander is helping lead the change.

By Adoria Doucette

Alex Turco's "Green Marilyn"

“Elegance is not a dispensable luxury but a factor that decides between success and failure.” - Edser W. Dijkstra

Local luxury aficionado Dominique Alexander orchestrates a tasteful cultural character and the essence of fashion forward Washingtonians.  “The local luxury lifestyle has an extremely international taste.  The future of luxury in Washington is very promising,” he says from the Fendi Casa Studio in the Washington Design Center.

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Retired D.C. Superior Court Judge Alexander respectfully demanded that all District residents do whatever it took to be their best at all times.

By Adoria Doucette

The Honorable Judge Harry T. Alexander - One of the most respected Washingtonains for over 50 years.

As a native of New Orleans, La. and the son of Frederick Douglas Alexander and Agnes Kahn, Harry T. Alexander was the first African American man to graduate from Georgetown University Law Center.  Judge Harry T. emerged from grave adversity and injustice and against all odds became a decorated World War II veteran. His meager beginning did not hinder him from understanding what he needed to do and how to get things done. He believed with great conviction that the all important truth is that fixed income, lower class citizens define the future of Washington D.C. and other cities around the world.  Judge Alexander rose from extreme poverty in New Orleans as a member of a household of 13 who all slept in one bed. Obviously his grim reality did not crowd his ability to dream big and ultimately attain those dreams.

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Pioneers of reggae and hip hop participate in a National Geographic sponsored symposium

By Adoria Doucette

Damian Marley after the National Geographic Symposium - Photo By Molly Ruland of One Love Massive

Each generation has cultural icons that connect with the public – indeed a select few are able to indulge the intellectual ambitions and spirit of an entire nation. It is even more rare that a family of musical talent can accomplish such a feat. Such is the case of the Marleys. Recently, a few of the family came to D.C to share their thoughts on the future of Reggae and Hip Hop.

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The region’s most exciting and intelligent Jazz composer, Marcus Johnson is a true renaissance man.

By Adoria Doucette

CEO, Artist, Renaissance Man: Marcus Johnson

Marcus Johnson is quite popular and the first choice of many people in the area and around the world when a well-rounded entertainer is needed. Mr. Johnson and his wife Rhonda are the quintessential Washingtonians. Highly educated, professionally successful and culturally active, this power couple exudes purposeful movement.  Johnson has 11 albums all of which have made their way to the top of Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart, evidence that he possesses immeasurable talent. Read the full story

Power Source profiles Donald Temple, one of D.C.’s most astute legal minds.

By Adoria Doucette

Donald Temple

Under the vaulted ceilings of the central United States Supreme Court chamber the greatest lawmakers of the last 4000 years are showcased. The display begins with Menes, the founder of the first political Dynasty of Egypt, followed by 17 lawmakers across the millennia from around the world, ending with America’s great jurist John Marshall. These figures inculcate the primary fact that courts and law have always been the central battleground of human progress. Ideas are more powerful than money and armies. A significant portion of our nation’s history has been determined by our laws, courts and lawyers. What we believe to be the greatest treasures of civilization are kept in grand display at our National Archives; only a few feet from their ancient predecessor the Magna Carta (a copy purchased and loaned by Carlyle Group co-founder David Rubenstein), the Bill of Rights and Constitution represent forms of mass government that are by definition revolutionary. What has been consistent through time is the effective and just use of the law, best practiced by passionate and capable advocates for legal change and accountability.

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25 years ago Harry Belafonte financed a group of lobbyists who were determined to change the world. A celebration at the South African Embassy acknowledges their work to end apartheid.

By Adoria Doucette

Harry Belafonte- Musician, Actor, Social Activist

Changing History

TransAfrica Forum, is an organization financed at its inception by Harry Belafonte to seek and support Human Rights, Democracy and Equality for the impoverished and under represented people of Africa and other countries where people of African descent reside. TransAfrica was the first to initiate efforts and strategies to draw attention to apartheid in South Africa and force the US government and US corporations to stand up against apartheid.

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UN Goodwill Ambassador and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer-musician Wynton Marsalis is awarded the French Legion of Honor and has completed a monumental American intellectual achievement, the symphonic work, Blues Symphony.

By Adoria Doucette

Wynton Marsalis

Roland Burris – excellence brings honor.

By Adoria Doucette

Roland Burris

Embedded in this time of tabloid television, the general public asserts itself to media driven ideas and views that don’t necessarily reflect the accomplishments and sacrifices made by so many.

A prime example is the junior United States Senator from Illinois, Roland Burris. While engaged in conversation with the Power Source the Senator was quoted as saying “Judge me on the work I’ve done.”  By the end of that dutiful conversation it was clear and evident that over a period of three decades of distinguished public service he has served with distinction and the appointment to the most exclusive club in the world was a result of his experience, talent, insight and wisdom.

Senator Burris reflects on two decades ago mentoring a young legislator whom he recently re-visited, in the Oval Office. The Senator remained gracious earlier this year in the face of adversity, and now he is a pivotal part of the US Senate.

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Eliot Battle and Michael Brown are helping to establish Washington D.C. as a premier cosmopolitan destination.

By Adoria Doucette

D.C. Councilman Michael Brown

The strength of American power has dominated the world’s consciousness since the end of WWII. At every corner of the earth, people admire America. For those who understand history, the banks of the Potomac have been as influential and storied as the Nile and Tigris. Within the small physical area of the nation’s capital dwell the noblest citizens of any federation in history. During expansion, war, and industrialization, the nation’s capital fostered the progression of humanity, by leading in civil rights, technology, science and culture. Our capital city is the center of strong transformative power, best defined as strategically engineered excellence within and across specialized networks. The synthesis of ideals and resources of successful, purposeful citizens is where possibility meets change.

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From the Reagan Center to Bermuda; Washington’s finest honor music producer Quincy Jones.

By Adoria Doucette

Quincy Jones and Wyclef

Quincy Jones recently visited Washington D.C. when platinum and Grammy winning artists Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and the Ludacris foundation paid tribute to Mr. Jones for his global contributions to numerous charitable organizations, both public and private. Also honored was the local native Kevin Liles, music pioneer, former vice president of Warner Music Group and founder of the “Make It Happen Foundation” which focuses on youth academic and life education.  Local corporate veteran Debra Lee of BET was also honored for her pioneering work in the entertainment industry. It was a fun filled night full of great people enjoying a silent auction and exciting gambling including India Arie, Stephen Hill, Philippe Cousteau, Lisa Amore, Alexis Denny and Patti Webster. When asked what one word would best describe his career, Quincy Jones responded “Blessings.”

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A poignant, celebatory experience within newly exposed power networks in Washington DC that contributes to continued dominance of our nation’s ideals, institutions and individuals.

By Adoria Doucette

We are fortunate to be living in an extraordinary time; there is a lot of dialogue about creating change that is for the benefit of all. Surely the fundamental cultural power source of this capital city is that the social functions of our elite have a vital purpose. Through the collective resources of successful and purposeful citizens, possibility meets change. The Power Source describes and profiles the most influential people who shape the culture and eminent power of our city, writing about people whom exert their power to address problems and create opportunities. The Power Source is the insider’s view of the character and quality of dynamic personalities that live in and visit our city.

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