(l to r) Leah Maddox (ERC), Ernest Dawson (HUD), John Hall (DHCD), Marvin Turner (HUD), Mayor Vincent Grey, Carolyn Punter (HUD), Don Kahl (ERC), John Baker (ERC) and Chip Underwood (ERC)

On April 28, 2011, Marvin W. Turner, Director of HUD's District of Columbia Field Office, along with several staff, participated in the Fair Housing Month Symposium sponsored by the District of Columbia Office of Human Rights, the District of Columbia Department of Housing and Community Development and the Equal Rights Center. District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray (center) provided the opening remarks.

At the event, Mr. Turner, as well as Carolyn Punter and Ernest Dawson from the Field Office's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, presented a symbolic $325,000 check (representing year one) to Don Kahl, Executive Director of the Equal Rights Center (ERC), in recognition of the Center being the first Fair Housing Initiative Program agency in the greater Washington Metropolitan area to be awarded a three year performance grant. ERC will receive $975,000 over a three year period through successful performance. Approximately 200 people registered for the event.

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