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presents
Friday, September 18, 2026
Held during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference
Two Experiences During the Evening
Sophisticated Cocktail Reception • Curated Business Connections • Intimate Live Musical Performance
Elegant Undisturbed All-Black Attire Required
The Business Room to Be In During ALC
Every September, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) transforms Washington, DC into the epicenter of Black leadership, entrepreneurship, business, policy, innovation, and influence.
Thousands of entrepreneurs, business owners, corporate executives, investors, elected officials, procurement leaders, nonprofit executives, creatives, advocates, and changemakers gather from across the country—and around the world—to exchange ideas, build relationships, and shape the future.
Over the course of five days, countless conversations begin.
But in an event of this scale, meaningful connection can be difficult.
Conversations are often brief.
Schedules are packed.
The most valuable introductions are frequently interrupted by the next panel, the next meeting, or the next reception.
That's why Capital Business Connections exists.
Presented by Dîner en Noir – Washington, DC, Capital Business Connections is an intentionally curated Signature Experience designed to bring together a select community of entrepreneurs, executives, investors, business-growth professionals, and decision-makers in an environment where conversations have the opportunity to become relationships—and relationships have the opportunity to become business.
Unlike a traditional networking reception, every element of the evening has been intentionally designed to foster meaningful engagement.
Guests begin inside a historic Washington mansion with a sophisticated cocktail reception and curated business networking before transitioning to an intimate candlelit live musical performance in the garden courtyard.
The setting encourages something increasingly rare during a major conference:
Time to genuinely connect.
The atmosphere is elevated.
The conversations are intentional.
The introductions are meaningful.
The relationships are designed to continue long after the evening ends.
Because the most valuable part of ALC isn't simply being in Washington.
It's being in the right room with the right people.
Where Connections Create Capital.
Built for Business Owners—and the People Who Help Businesses Grow
Capital Business Connections is designed for professionals who are building companies, influencing industries, creating opportunities, and investing in communities.
Where Connections Create Capital
Capital is more than money.
It is access.
It is information.
It is influence.
It is relationships.
It is the right introduction at the right time.
Capital Business Connections brings together entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, investors, corporate representatives, procurement professionals, government affairs leaders, and strategic partners in an environment intentionally designed to turn conversation into possibility.
Guests will have opportunities to:
Establish new business relationships
Identify potential partners and collaborators
Connect with corporate and institutional decision-makers
Expand visibility within the Dîner en Noir ecosystem
Discover new clients, vendors, resources, and opportunities
Continue relationships beyond ALC weekend
One Signature Experience. Two Opportunities to Attend.
Capital Business Connections will be offered twice during the evening, allowing guests to select the time that best fits their ALC schedule.
EXPERIENCE ONE — 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
6:00 PM | CONNECT
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Cocktail Reception & Curated Business Connections
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Inside the historic residence
7:00 PM | EXPERIENCE
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Candlelit Live Musical Performance
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On the intimate garden patio
EXPERIENCE TWO — 8:00 PM–10:00 PM
8:00 PM | CONNECT
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Cocktail Reception & Curated Business Connections
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Inside the historic residence
9:00 PM | EXPERIENCE
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Candlelit Live Musical Performance
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On the intimate garden patio
Both sessions offer the same Capital Business Connections format and access levels. Guests select one experience time during registration.
Business Connection, Elevated by Experience
Capital Business Connections is not a traditional networking mixer.
Every element is intentionally designed to create an environment where guests feel comfortable beginning meaningful conversations and building authentic relationships.
In the Heart of "The President’s Neighborhood"
Capital Business Connections will be hosted at a distinguished historic mansion located steps away from the White House in "The President’s Neighborhood".
The setting reflects the significance of the evening: intimate, historic, elegant, and positioned near the center of American influence.
In keeping with Dîner en Noir tradition, the exact location will remain secret until the day of the event and will be shared only with registered guests.
Elegant Undisturbed All-Black Attire
The Dîner en Noir visual tradition is part of what transforms the gathering from an ordinary event into a collective experience. Every attendee must arrive in elegant attire that is entirely black from head to toe.
Appropriate Attire May Include
Black tuxedos
Black formal suits with black shirts
Black gowns
Black cocktail dresses
Black formal jumpsuits
Black dress shoes
Refined black accessories
Not Permitted
White or colored shirts
Contrasting bow ties or ties
Colored jackets or dresses
Denim
Athletic wear
Casual footwear
Visible non-black garments that disrupt the all-black presentation
DRESS CODE STATEMENT
Undisturbed All-Black Attire is required. Admission may be denied to guests who do not comply with the dress code.
The Evening Is the Introduction
Capital Business Connections is more than a single event.
Guests are introduced to a growing ecosystem built to connect Black professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, creatives, executives, and community leaders across industries and cities.
Through the Dîner en Noir ecosystem, participants can access:
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Curated professional relationships
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Business-development opportunities
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Strategic partnerships
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Cross-market visibility
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Member-focused experiences
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Thought-leadership opportunities
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Community engagement
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Resources designed to support business growth and professional influence
Membership is not simply access to events. It is access to a broader network designed to help members connect, grow, collaborate, and create impact throughout the year.
Connect Your Brand With the People Building What’s Next
More Than Sponsorship. A Strategic Business Partnership.
Capital Business Connections offers organizations the opportunity to engage with an intentionally curated audience of entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, investors, corporate decision-makers, business-growth professionals, and strategic partners during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 55th Annual Legislative Conference.
With two experiences limited to just 100 guests each, Capital Business Connections is intentionally designed for meaningful engagement—not mass exposure.
Our partners don't simply place their logos in the room. They become part of an ecosystem designed to create access, connect resources with businesses, open doors to opportunity, and help relationships become capital.
Five Ways to Partner
SIGNATURE STRATEGIC PARTNER
Become the premier strategic partner supporting the overall Capital Business Connections experience and its mission of connecting business leaders with opportunity.
CAPITAL ACCESS PARTNER
Connect entrepreneurs and business owners with financial resources, expertise, capital solutions, and relationships that can support business growth.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY PARTNER
Create meaningful connections around procurement, supplier diversity, professional services, technology, business development, and other growth opportunities aligned with your organization's objectives.
ENTREPRENEUR ACCESS PARTNER
Expand access by helping selected entrepreneurs and business owners participate in the experience and connect with relationships, resources, and opportunities that can move their businesses forward.
BLACK BUSINESS SHOWCASE PARTNER
An accessible partnership pathway created specifically for Black-owned businesses to introduce their products, services, and brands to the Capital Business Connections audience through a curated presence within the experience.
Partnership Designed Around Your Objectives
Depending on the partnership pathway and investment level, opportunities may include:
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Direct engagement with a highly targeted business audience
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Curated introductions based on mutually relevant business interests
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Integration into the Capital Business Connections guest experience
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Executive, client, or entrepreneur access
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Category exclusivity for select partnerships
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Brand visibility before, during, and after the event
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Digital and social media promotion
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Brand storytelling and thought-leadership opportunities
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On-site recognition and strategic activations
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Professional photography and event content
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Business-resource integration
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Post-event engagement through the broader Dîner en Noir ecosystem
Two Sessions. 100 Guests Each. Intentionally Limited.
Capital Business Connections is not designed around how many people we can place in a room. It is designed around who is in the room—and what can happen when the right people connect.
For our strategic partners, that creates something more valuable than impressions:
Access to the Conversation.
Reserve Your Place in the Room
Two Experiences. 100 Guests Each. Intentionally Limited.
Capital Business Connections is intentionally limited to 100 guests per experience—creating the space for genuine conversation, meaningful introductions, and the kind of business relationships that are difficult to build in a crowded conference reception.
Each two-hour experience unfolds across two distinct settings: beginning inside an elegant historic Washington residence with cocktails and curated business connections, then transitioning outdoors to an intimate candlelit garden patio for a live musical performance.
Choose your experience time and the level of access that best fits how you want to experience Capital Business Connections.
Every Capital Business Connections Experience Includes
Sophisticated Cocktail Reception
Begin your evening inside an elegant historic residence with one hour dedicated to cocktails, conversation, and connection.
Curated Business Networking
Engage with entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, investors, corporate decision-makers, business-growth professionals, and strategic partners in an environment intentionally designed to encourage meaningful interaction.
Intimate Candlelit Live Performance
Following the reception, transition outdoors to the garden patio for an intimate one-hour live musical performance illuminated by candlelight.
Historic Secret Location
Experience the evening at a distinctive historic Washington setting in the President's Neighborhood, just steps from the White House. In keeping with Dîner en Noir tradition, the exact location is revealed exclusively to registered guests on the day of the event.
The Dîner en Noir Ecosystem
Discover a year-round ecosystem connecting Black culture, capital, community, business opportunity, and meaningful relationships beyond a single evening.
Professional Event Photography
Enjoy professionally captured moments from throughout the Capital Business Connections experience.
Plus enhanced seating, hospitality, and access benefits based on your selected access level.
Choose Your Access
CONNECTION ACCESS
Get in the room. Make the connection.
$60 Dîner en Noir-DC Member | $90 Non-Member
Your entry into the complete Capital Business Connections experience.
Includes:
Admission to your selected experience
One-hour cocktail reception
Curated business networking
Cash bar
Zone C seating for the candlelit live performance
All core Capital Business Connections experience benefits
PREFERRED ACCESS
Elevate your experience.
$85 Dîner en Noir Member-DC | $110 Non-Member
Enhance your evening with preferred performance seating and upgraded arrival benefits.
Includes everything in Connection Access, plus:
Preferred Zone B seating for the candlelit live performance
Priority event check-in
Complimentary signature welcome cocktail
Cash bar following your welcome cocktail
EXECUTIVE ACCESS
Experience Capital Business Connections at its highest level.
$150 Dîner en Noir-DC Member | $200 Non-Member
Our most elevated access level combines private reception hospitality with premier performance seating.
Includes:
Admission to your selected experience
Access to the private Executive Suite during the cocktail reception
Open bar during the cocktail reception
Premium passed hors d'oeuvres
Curated business networking
Premier Zone A seating for the candlelit live performance
Priority event check-in
Executive Access credential
Dedicated hospitality within the Executive Suite
Enhanced opportunities to engage with participating strategic partners and invited business leaders
All core Capital Business Connections experience benefits
Registration Details
Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
Time: Entry at 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM
Location: Washington, DC
Venue: Secret location revealed to registered guests on the day of the event
Attire: Elegant Undisturbed All-Black Attire required
Capacity: Limited
DISCOUNTED EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION OPENS FOR #DENDC MEMBERS
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2026 @ 12:00 NOON EST
Please Note:
Discounted Early-Bird Priority Registration is only open to #DENDC Members. Should space still be available as we get closer to the event date, registration will open for non-members and at the elevated rate.
One Evening Can Change the Direction of a Business
The right conversation can lead to a client.
The right introduction can lead to a partnership.
The right relationship can create access.
The right room can change what happens next.
Join Dîner en Noir – Washington, DC for Capital Business Connections—an intentional evening where entrepreneurs, executives, investors, corporate leaders, and strategic partners come together to build relationships capable of creating real opportunity.
Where Connections Create Capital
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DÎNER EN NOIR – WASHINGTON, DC
CAPITAL BUSINESS CONNECTIONS
Where Connections Create Capital
A Dîner en Noir Signature Experience
Friday, September 18, 2026
Held During the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s
55th Annual Legislative Conference
#DENDC Website
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Disclaimer
Capital Business Connections is produced by Dîner en Noir – Washington, DC. References to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference identify the period during which the event is being held and do not imply sponsorship, endorsement, or official affiliation unless expressly stated.