On Thursday, October 22 , Bethune-Cookman University (“B-CU”) in Daytona Beach, Florida, held a naming ceremony for the School of Communications and Performing Arts in honor of their distinguished alumna and charter member of the Beverly Hills West Chapter, The Links, Inc., Dr. La-Doris McClaney. Dr. McClaney earned a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science from Shaw University before attending graduate school at Pepperdine University where she earned a Master of Public Administration. She achieved her Doctorate in Humane Letters at B-CU while starting a real estate firm that under her leadership and entrepreneurial vision has grown to become a multi-million dollar empire with a portfolio of holdings in Southern California and six additional states.
The naming of the School of Communications and Performing Arts at B-CU recognizes Dr. McClaney for her tireless commitment to invest in the future of education and opportunity for old and young alike. In the 40 plus years of her exceptional career, Dr. McClaney’s generosity has set her apart. She has given over 10% of her gross income, which accounts for millions of dollars, to the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, B-CU, the Christian Broadcasting Network, City of Hope, Charles R. Drew University and the United Negro College Fund – to name a few.
Because of Dr. McClaney’s generosity and hard work, she has received over 500 commendations, awards and honors. The City of Los Angeles declared a ‘Dr. La-Doris McClaney Day earlier this year. She has been previously named Women of the Year in Business by the Los Angeles County Commission for Women and the Los Angeles Inner City Mass Choir, received the Rosa Parks Award by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Honorable Mark Egerman, the Mayor of Beverly Hills. She remains a faithful member of the West Angeles Church of God In Christ for over 28 years. At West Angeles Church, Dr. McClaney has held numerous fundraiser to benefit the Church’s ‘Save Africa’s Children’; an organization that provides water wells, schools, orphanages, and support to children affected by HIV and AIDs. Dr. McClaney was a Commissioner for the Los Angeles County Commission for Children and Families. Link La-Doris was a past-president of the Beverly Hills West Links and was also a past Chair, Fund Development and Arts Facet Committee Member of the National Links Incorporated and the National Links Foundation.
To the well-earned titles of tireless philanthropist, faithful servant of God, and proven leader, she now adds the great distinction of having an institution of higher education named in her honor, counting her amongst the most distinguished and generous benefactors and alumnae in B-CU history. Congratulations Link La-Doris McClaney; your contributions to Linkdom and the United States make us all extremely proud.
