May 12, 2009
Contact: Annika Stensson (202) 973-3677, Maureen Ryan (202) 331-5939

(Washington, D.C.) The National Restaurant Association is honoring Ben and Virginia Ali, owners of Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C., as the recipients of its Faces of Diversity American Dream Award at a ceremony held during the Association's upcoming 2009 Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago. The Association's Faces of Diversity awards celebrate diversity and inclusion in the restaurant-and-foodservice industry and among the industry's 13 million employees. Four winners in two categories—the American Dream Award for individuals and the Inspiration Award for restaurant companies—are being recognized for inspirational success stories and exceptional efforts to embrace diversity.

"Ben's Chili Bowl is a true landmark in Washington, D.C., and has been an important part of our community and the city’s history for half a century," said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the Association. "What a remarkable journey Ben and Virginia Ali have had, and now they have a wonderful, thriving family business that attracts visitors from around the world. The Alis are truly representative of the American Dream, and the success of Ben's Chili Bowl is a reminder to everyone that hard work and determination can make your dreams a reality."

Ben Ali came to the United States from Trinidad when he was 18 years old. After attending five universities in nine years, Ali suffered an unfortunate injury that prevented him from pursuing his dream of becoming a dentist. He tried several jobs before finding his calling working at Ann's Hot Dogs. Ali met Virginia Rollins who had been working as a bank teller and together they opened Ben's Chili Bowl one week before they were married. The location was an old pool hall in a segregated Washington, D.C. neighborhood.

Since opening in the summer of 1958, Ben's Chili Bowl has faced some tough times, including race riots in the late 1960's and drug wars in the surrounding area in the 1970's, and in 1987 when construction began on a nearby subway line that nearly crippled their business for nearly five years. Today, two of their three sons operate the restaurant and a bar, Ben's Next Door, which opened in the fall of 2008. Ben's Chili Bowl attracts visitors from around the world and even hosted President Barack Obama just days before his inauguration.

The Faces of Diversity awards program, created by the National Restaurant Association in partnership with PepsiCo Foodservice, celebrates the restaurant industry’s successes and inspires restaurateurs to embrace inclusion and expand diversity efforts. The American Dream Award honors individuals from diverse backgrounds who, through hard work and determination, have realized the American dream. The Inspiration Award honors restaurant companies that have exhibited leadership and vision as an advocate of diversity and inclusion.

Joining the Ben and Virginia Ali in receiving the Faces of Diversity American Dream Award are Amy Matsuno, Amy's on the Bay, Port Orchard, Washington; and Siraj Virani, Dunkin Donuts franchisee, Chicago. McDonald's Corporation is receiving the Faces of Diversity Inspiration Award. For more information about the Faces of Diversity awards program, visit www.restaurant.org/diversity.

The Faces of Diversity Awards ceremony will be held at the 2009 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show® in Chicago on Sunday May 17 at 2 p.m. during the General Session & Keynote Executive Panel.

Celebrating its 90th year, the annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is the largest single gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals. NRA Show 2009 will be held May 16-19, at McCormick Place in Chicago. The event attracts attendees and visitors from all 50 states and 100+ countries, and showcases more products, services, innovative ideas and other growth opportunities than any other industry event. For more information, visit the Show Web site at www.restaurant.org/show.