Get Ready for Annual Brotherhood Crusade Dinner
Chariss Bremond-Weaver
This year’s event will debut the Bremond-Bakewell Pioneer of African American Achievement Award Dinner.
By Yussuf J. Simmonds
Sentinel Managing Editor
For over 40 years the Brotherhood Crusade has been serving the community and during that time it has established an annual event that reinforces it primary value: to provide necessary resources, supportive services and a voice of advocacy to traditionally underserved communities. This year, it has embarked on another milestone. It is introducing the Bremond-Bakewell Pioneer of African American Achievement Award named after its illustrious founder, Walter Bremond, and the man who built it into the number one African American philanthropic institution in the country, Danny J. Bakewell, Sr.
Charisse Bremond-Weaver has been at the helm of the institution for the past five years and she has continued the work of her predecessors and has added her footprints to its history, promoting health and wellness; enhancing educational opportunities; cultivating economic growth; and building community agencies and institutions. Bremond-Weaver has described her work as “sowing seeds of change by building the community.”
The seed for the Brotherhood Crusade was planted via the idea of an independent funding source in the Black community through the Black Congress, and it germinated in 1968. Bremond signed a personal note for $15,000 with the idea of funding the organizational concept that came out of the Black Congress; thus the Brotherhood Crusade was born. Bakewell’s bold leadership guided the organization for over three decades into an institution that provided the community with over $60 million.
The 2009 recipient of the prestigious award, Soledad O’Brien, is the nationally-known CNN anchor and special correspondent who recently dazzled the nation with her impactful series “Blacks in America” and “Latinos in America.” Her acceptance of the Bremond-Bakewell award demonstrates her continued commitment to quality reporting and excellence in journalism.
An integral part of the Brotherhood Crusade is its board of directors who are civic and community-spirited volunteers who give of their time, energy and expertise to facilitate the great work that the institution is doing and has done for over 40 years. The community pays homage to George Beaubian, Bertha Bremond, Bishop H. Hartford Brookins, R.J. “Dave Davidson, Karl Key-Hekima, Cliff McClain, Dr. George McKenna, Mother Lillian Mobley and the chairman, Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. They make the Brotherhood Crusade possible.
 SOLEDAD O’BRIEN WILL HONORED ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, AT THE BEVERLY HILLS HILTON HOTEL – 9876 WILSHIRE BLVD. BEVERLY HILLS.
