Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams delivers the keynote address before Judge Sara J. Harper of Ohio, Dr. Louis Sullivan of Georgia, and Michigan businessman William "Bill Brooks are honored with the 2nd Annual Black Republican Trailblazer Award by the Republican National Committee and RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, pictured center, at the Howard Theatre, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, February 4, 2014. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)