Several enterprising young people will be recognized at the 5th Annual “A Call for Boldness Biddy Mason Unsung Shero Legacy Celebration.”
The event is set for Saturday, August 10, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Biddy Mason Memorial Park, 333 S. Spring St., in Los Angeles. The theme, “Roll up, Rise up, Reign up – Biddy Mason Legacy: An Empowered 19th Century Millennial,” will salute the achievements and service of Mason as well as similar traits demonstrated by many local young adults.
Former slave Bridget “Biddy” Mason was a 30-year-old activist, who was also a nurse, philanthropist and real estate entrepreneur. She also opened a traveler’s center, operated an elementary school for Black children and donated the land to establish First African Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest church founded by Blacks in L.A.
“Many of today’s millennials mirror the character of Biddy Mason’s ambition, confidence, achievement-oriented, unafraid to question authority and serve the community,” said Diane Mitchell Henry, founder of the Women’s Group of Greater Los Angeles County, who co-hosts the program with Dr. Kathye Jenkins, founder and president of the Cynthia Perry Ray Foundation.
“The celebration is a platform to pay homage to the legacy of Biddy Mason, honor millennial unsung sheroes of Los Angeles County and empower guests to rise up and embrace Biddy Mason’s perseverance and understanding of the importance of owning “dirt”/real estate for economic development.”
The honorees are Melissa Beckford, Charity Chandler Cole, Brandi Coleman, Rocsil Frank, Makiah Green, Danielle King, Raven Morgan, Ashley Perkins, Melissa Phillips, Ife Sangode, Zaneta Smith, Akilah Wallace and Michelle Washington Roquemore.
Jan Perry, former L.A. councilmember and city general manager, will participate and Compton Mayor Aja Brown will serve as honorary chair. Honorary Committee members include Valerie Alleyne, U Care founder/president; Crystal Hayes Hill, Esq., My Legal Team founder/president; Victoria Williams, D’Andre Holland and Trina Roberts. Also, City National Bank and California Black Women’s Project are corporate sponsors.
Free transportation to the event will board at 8:15 a.m., and depart at 9 a.m., from Holman United Methodist Church, 3320 W. Adams Blvd., and Consolidated Realty, 3725 Don Felipe Dr., both in Los Angeles. Bird scooters will also be available through Ride On! Bike Shop/Co-Op at designated locations.
To learn more about the event or sponsorships, email [email protected] or text (323) 331-1398.
