Celebrating Achievement
Annual Spring Benefit
Each year CDI supporters, Scholars, alumni, partners, and staff come together to celebrate the achievements of the students we serve and raise money to provide ongoing support for our programs and services, while honoring an individual who embodies the principles upon which the organization was founded.
The 15th Annual Spring Benefit occurred Wednesday, May 7th, 2025. You may still make a gift in support of the benefit by clicking HERE.
Thank you for helping to make the 15th Annual Spring Benefit a success!
Marks Medal
The Marks Medal for Academic Excellence and Career Achievement was introduced in 2018 in honor of CDI founders Nina and Jonathan Marks whose trailblazing leadership in education has become a beacon of excellence and whose legacy will live on through the lives of our Scholars. Each year the award is presented to honor an individual who has used education as a transformative tool to change their circumstances and fulfill their potential.
Marks Medal Awardees
2025 - Rev. Dr. John-Howard Wesley
2024 - Jason Wright
2023 - Seth Goldman
2022 - Diana Davis Spencer Foundation
2021 - Wes Moore
2020 - Roger W. Ferguson, Jr.
2019 - The Honorable Eric Holder, Jr.
2018 - Eric L. Motley
2025
Founders Nina & Jonathan Marks with Marks Medal Recipient Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley
Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley receives the Marks Medal from CDI President and CEO Amma Felix.
Benefit Sponsors
CDI Alumni
CDI Staff
2024
Jason Wright, President, Washington Commanders
Jason Wright receives the Marks Medal from CDI President and CEO Amma Felix.
Benefit Sponsors
CDI staff members and counselors
2023
Seth Goldman, Co-Founder and CEO of Eat the Change
Seth Goldman receives the Marks Medal from CDI President and CEO Amma Felix.
Benefit Sponsors
CDI Scholar Program alumni
2022
The 2022 Marks Medal recipient, The Diana Davis Spencer Foundation, continues a multi-generational history of family philanthropy. The organization evolved from the Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation, established in 1962, and the Kathryn W. Davis Foundation, established in 2004.
Benefit Sponsors
2021
2021 Marks Medal recipient Wes Moore, New York Times Bestselling Author and former Chief Executive Officer of the Robin Hood Foundation
2020
The 2020 Spring Benefit was cancelled due to COVID restrictions.
2020 Marks Medal recipient Roger W. Ferguson, Jr., is President and Chief Executive Officer of TIAA, the leading provider of retirement services in the academic, research, medical, and cultural fields.
2019
The Honorable Eric Holder, Jr., 82nd Attorney General of the U.S.
CDI President Amma Felix presents the Marks Medal for Academic Excellence and Career Achievement to the Honorable Eric Holder, Jr.
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder poses with CDI President Amma Felix and CDI Scholar Program alumni.
2018
Eric L. Motley, Executive Vice President of the Aspen Institute and former Special Assistant to President George W. Bush.
Eric L. Motley receives the Marks Medal from CDI President Amma Felix (L), founders Nina and Johnathan Marks, and Board Chair Stephen A. Weiswasser (R).
