Hosted by actor/activist Danny Glover and singer/activist Bernice Johnson Reagon, the benefit tribute for Smith was organized by the Spirit of Hope Campaign, a volunteer coalition of friends and supporters dedicated to raising awareness and money for Smith’s healthcare. Campaign organizers estimate that Smith’s treatments will cost nearly a half million dollars, $400,000 in addition to an already accumulated $100,000 in healthcare bills.

Those who know Smith best including, Joe Madison, Emelda West, Leslie Cagan, Ron Daniels, and former District of Columbia mayor and current Ward 8 representative Marion Barry, also shared their experiences with and memories of Smith.

“Damu’s life has been salvaged so that he can continue to do his work,” Barry said, at the event which was held at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium.

Notable performers, including poets Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, and Suheir Hammad, as well as In Process…, Black Notes, Farafina Kan, and Craig Harris, danced, sang, recited passages and poetry, and shared memories in honor of Smith.

Sanchez performed a ritual that called for all of the “love, dreams, and prayers” of audience members to be placed in a head wrap which Sanchez removed from her head and delivered to Smith who sat in a seat near stage.

“This is a coming together of the spirits of people I love and who love me, and I consider tonight’s event the highest manifestation of Godliness and love because people are coming together not only to support me, but to raise public awareness about the need for comprehensive, holistic healthcare for all people and the need for us to take care of ourselves, and be responsible for our health,” Smith said.

As the founder of Black Voices for Peace, an anti-war organization, national community organizer of the National African American Tobacco Prevention Network (NAATPN), and executive director of the National Black Environmental Justice Network (NBEJN), Smith has spent the majority of his life waging battles for countless others and now the time has come for others to do the same in return.

“I’ve known Damu for what seems to be a century. He is definitely committed to helping the cause of black people. He has been steadfast and has been a true warrior, and I wanted to extend my support in whatever little way I could,” said Utility Consumer Advocate Pamela Nelson after a VIP luncheon.

Hashim El-Tinay, founder and president of Salam Sudan Foundation, who has worked closely with Smith, echoed Nelson’s remarks saying, “This is our modest way of saying thank you and celebrating his contributions.” They hope Smith will beat the disease and continue his monumental work.

Alive, bright, and full of energy during the evening’s celebration, Smith recalled just weeks ago feeling “weak,” and being “nearly unable to walk.” After returning home from a trip to Palestine in March, Smith was diagnosed with colon cancer by a physician at Providence Hospital.

Smith said the cancer currently inhabits more than ¾ of his liver. But Smith is determined to continue to live his life to the fullest.

“Conventional wisdom says that my life span can be substantially shortened by what I have, but unconventional wisdom says that I can make it through this with faith in God, with spirit, with hope, with determination to live and overcome this disease. Cancer occupies my body, but it does not occupy my spirit. I’m going to fight hard with God and the angels that have been put around me to make sure that cancer does not occupy me, and does not take me away from my beautiful daughter and my family prematurely,” Smith said.

Stage four colon cancer, which is Smith’s diagnosis, is the most advanced and deadliest stage of the disease where it begins to metastasize to other organs in the body.

Before Saturday’s main event, the Howard auditorium also hosted wellness fair providing information for issues particularly concerning African-Americans - the health risks of colon, breast, lung cancer, and HIV/AIDS. Educators stressed the importance of regular screenings for these ailments.

“Once you reach the age of 50, every black American should have a test done,” said Debra Wylie, ethnic health promoter for Holy Cross Hospital.

Wylie said exercising, not smoking, having the proper diet, and knowing your family history are essential in cancer prevention. “Black Americans have to get into the habit of going to get physicals once a year,” she added.

Damu’s father, Sylvester Smith, died of colon cancer 16 years ago at the age of 53, Damu’s current age.

A representative from Washington’s WPFW 89.3 FM presented Smith with the radio station’s first Courage Award during the tribute. The award was in recognition of Smith’s “outstanding community service,” and will be presented annually to an individual who follows his example.

Expressing his feelings about the evening’s ceremony Smith said, “This is about total love in its purest and most authentic form. This is one of the happiest moments of my life.”

Family members are organizing another tribute to the legendary activist to be held July 23rd in his hometown of St. Louis.