Retired WUSA anchor J.C. Hayward will be presented with a lifetime achievement award during a tribute and vigil on Sept. 21, weeks after her dismissal from a high-profile lawsuit.
Then-D.C. Attorney General Irvin B. Nathan prompted an investigation of Hayward and four other people for their alleged attempt to divert millions of federal tax dollars, meant for the Options D.C. Public Charter School, to two for-profit companies in 2013.
Hayward was dismissed from the lawsuit by the D.C. attorney general’s office in August; however, she was required to repay $8,500 she received while she served as chair of the school’s board.
The tribute to Hayward will be held at the Asbury United Methodist Church, 926 11th St NW in Washington, D.C.
“We are just overjoyed and we want to recognize her,” said Rocky Twyman, a member of the group Friends of J.C. Hayward. “She wants us to recognize God because she really realized God is the one who pulled her through.”
Dr. E. Faye Williams, president of the National Congress of Black Women, will present Hayward with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Other officials will also be in attendance, including Norma Stewart, past president of the Continentals Society, an international public service organization dedicated to the socioeconomic and cultural welfare of underprivileged children and youth; and Lillian Huff, founder of the Black Caucus of the Democratic Party. Choirs, a pianist and violinists are schedule to perform at the tribute.
“People will be uplifted and inspired to go out and change the world and do something positive for the minority community and people in general,” Twyman said. “She inspires community service.”
Hayward was the first female anchor in the Washington metropolitan area.
“Sometimes life hands you cards that you don’t exactly like, but you have to play them, and you can’t just sit around and be sad about the hand that was dealt to you,” she said.