Fly with FLOC -60 Years Gala Honorees

For 60 years, For Love of Children (FLOC) has served DC children and youth. 

Since our founding in 1965, inspired by the courage and vision of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the March on Selma, FLOC has remained steadfast in our belief that every child matters and deserves equal opportunities to succeed. 

For six decades, we have served more than 15,000 students throughout DC, providing the foundational tools, supports, and services they need to transform their own lives, their families’ lives, and the community around them. 

We are thrilled to announce the exceptional leaders to be honored at our upcoming celebration:

FLOC 60 Years Anniversary: “Fly with FLOC” Gala on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at The National Press Club 

Each honoree will receive a special award named for FLOC’s founders and values reflecting legacies of social change, courageous leadership, and nurturing the next generation of changemakers.

• The FLOC Torchbearer Award for Leadership Development: Virginia Ali, Ben’s Chili Bowl

• The Fred Taylor Award for Transformational Leadership: Eric Waldo, DC CAP

• The Gordon Cosby Social Impact Award: Judith Sandalow, Children’s Law Center 

We encourage you to read more below about these three remarkable individuals who embody the spirit of FLOC’s mission and have made a lasting impact on DC.

  Virginia Ali: The FLOC Torchbearer Award for Leadership Development

​The FLOC Torchbearer Award for Leadership Development celebrates a leader who has made a lasting impact on FLOC by inspiring, mentoring, and shaping the next generation. There is no one more deserving of this award than the matriarch of U Street and a former FLOC board member, Virginia Ali, owner of the iconic Ben’s Chili Bowl.

​For over 60 years, Virginia Ali has not only served up delicious food but has also served her community with unwavering kindness and generosity. Known affectionately as “Mom” or “Mrs. Ben,” she has been a pillar of strength and a shining example of business success and strong family values. Her influence extends far beyond the walls of Ben’s Chili Bowl, as she has served on the boards of numerous organizations, including For Love of Children. Virginia’s legacy is one of love, kindness, and a deep commitment to the people of Washington, D.C.

  Eric Waldo: The Fred Taylor Award for Transformational Leadership

​We are proud to present The Fred Taylor Award for Transformational Leadership to Eric Waldo, President and CEO of the District of Columbia College Access Program (DC CAP). This award honors a leader whose courageous actions and innovative leadership have brought about lasting change in youth development, and Mr. Waldo’s career is a testament to that ideal.

​With over two decades of experience in education, law, and public service, Eric has been a tireless advocate for college access and success. As the founding Executive Director of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Reach Higher” initiative, he helped create a national college-going movement. His leadership at DC CAP has resulted in the University Partnership Scholarship, which has awarded over $4 million in scholarships to more than 500 D.C. students. From his time at the U.S. Department of Education to his work with the U.S. Surgeon General, Eric has consistently championed the well-being and future of our nation’s youth.

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   Judith Sandalow: The Gordon Cosby Social Impact Award

​The Gordon Cosby Social Impact Award recognizes an individual with a deep, sustained commitment to social change that aligns with FLOC’s mission. We are honored to present this award to Judith Sandalow, the transformative leader of the Children’s Law Center.

​Under Judith’s guidance since 2000, the Children’s Law Center has grown from a staff of three to a powerhouse of over 100 professionals, serving more than 5,000 children and families annually. Her commitment to the District’s children is both professional and personal, as a former foster and adoptive parent herself. Judith’s work, which focuses on improving each child’s health, family stability, and educational outcomes, has earned her numerous accolades, including the Thurgood Marshall Award and the American Bar Association’s John Minor Wisdom Public Service and Professionalism Award.

Join Us in Honoring Three Heroes on November 12

FLOC’s 60th Anniversary Gala will be a night to remember as we celebrate six decades of service and the outstanding individuals who make our mission come alive. 

These three exceptional leaders (Judith Sandalow, Eric Waldo, and Virginia Ali) remind us why FLOC’s work matters and how much we can achieve when we invest in our youth. We look forward to welcoming our supporters, partners, and friends as we “Fly with FLOC” into a new era of opportunity for D.C.’s children.

Thank you for helping us soar to new heights!

The FLOC 60 Years Anniversary Gala at the National Press Club will feature dinner, our awards ceremony, live entertainment, and opportunities to connect with fellow champions of youth development and educational opportunity. Together, we will honor our past, celebrate our present, and prepare to fly boldly into the future as we continue empowering D.C.’s youth for the next 60 years.

For more information about the gala and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.flocs60thanniversary.com. 

To learn more about FLOC’s six decades of impact and our current programs, visit www.floc.org.