The balcony of Los Angeles County’s Hall of Administration was transformed into a sanctuary of celebration and solidarity on March 20 as civic leaders, community advocates, and elected officials gathered for the 48th Annual John Anson Ford Human Relations Awards.
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Hosted by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations, the event recognized individuals and organizations whose efforts continue to build a more equitable, just, and inclusive county.
“Since 1980, we’ve documented and responded to hate crimes in LA County. With LA vs. Hate, we provide people a safe way to report incidents, support them in healing from trauma, and even empower them to become advocates,” said Robin Toma, executive director of the L.A. County Commission on Human Relations.
This year’s honorees included transformative grassroots organizers, innovative social justice educators, and legacy builders — none more emblematic than the late Arturo Ybarra, who was posthumously awarded the Yvonne B. Burke Courage Award.
“Arturo Ybarra was an activist engaged with a whole range of issues and needs, including housing, violence prevention and response, education reform, environmental justice, and police-community relations,” said Ilan Davidson, committee chair and Human Rights Commissioner.
Supervisor Holly Mitchell, though unable to attend in person, shared heartfelt remarks recognizing another District 2 honoree: Quilombos Capacity Builders. Their award-winning training series on Combating Anti-Blackness has been celebrated as a model of community-based education and transformation.
“The 48th John Anson Ford Human Relations Awards highlights the outstanding programs and exemplary individuals who advance human rights and are creating a more just and equitable LA County,” Mitchell said via video remarks.
“I want to take a moment to recognize the Quilombos Capacity Builders for their courage and leadership. Their work exemplifies the kind of bold, intentional change we need to end systemic racism.”
Rob McGowan, of Diving Within, one of the partners in the anti-Blackness training series, brought poetry and passion to the podium with his reflections.
“Judgment and curiosity cannot occupy the same space,” McGowan told the audience. “I don’t have all the answers, but I do have questions. How would a fish describe water? How would a bird explain flying? How do you explain the chemistry of breathing? Our work is similar. Statistically, Black folks—especially men—are at the bottom of everything good and the top of everything negative. Either we’re genetically inferior, or the current system structures, policies, belief and practices play a role. So how does it shift the knowledge, attitude and skills, treat and create transformative change? Let’s see, stay curious.”
This year’s Los Angeles County Human Rights Award was presented to the CEDAW Collective, honoring their tireless work in advancing the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). This coalition was instrumental in implementing L.A. County’s 2021 CEDAW Ordinance—an historic motion championed by Supervisors Holly Mitchell and Sheila Kuehl.
Dr. Regina Smith, president of the L.A. County Commission for Women and senior advisor for the Los Angeles Community College District on race equity and social justice, reminded the audience of the urgency of their shared mission.
“Today is not a time to retreat. It is a time to double down,” Smith declared. “We are watching our work be challenged, even dismantled, across this country—from the gains our ancestors fought for to the voices being silenced in real time. We cannot allow that. CEDAW is a treaty that the world agreed upon, because the world knew discrimination against women must end. And the L.A. County Board of Supervisors—an all-women board—is showing the nation how that starts right here, right now. You are setting the pace for the country.”
Alisa Williams, also accepting on behalf of the CEDAW Collective, reflected on the collaborative and intersectional nature of the work.
“It’s been my pleasure to work with the Women and Girls Initiative,” said Williams.
“We made great strides. I had the honor of presenting at the United Nations last year, and I met women from all over the world who spoke about how CEDAW changed their lives—bringing economic freedom, access to education, and safety to rural villages and urban cities alike. I’m proud that Los Angeles County is part of that movement.”
