Virginia Ali, the co-founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl, will be honored for her business acumen and dedication to the community on June 15 at the WETATi Academy Anne Reese Carswell Scholarship & Awards Gala that will take place at the Colony Ballroom, Adele H. Stamp Student Union at the University of Maryland, College Park from 6-10 p.m.
Ali opened the doors of the noted eatery on August 22, 1958, and has endured the 1968 King assassination disturbances, several recessions, Metro subway construction and the coronavirus pandemic.
Presidents of the U.S. and other countries, celebrities, national politicians and every mayor of the District has eaten at Ben’s, along with countless residents and students.
To register for the event, go to wetatiacademy.org.