Funk Icons, Morris Day and the Time, will headline the Brotherhood Crusade’s annual gala this year on November 1, which marks the organization’s 45th anniversary. This year Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairman Mark Ridley- Thomas, will receive the Bremond Bakewell Award for “establishing new benchmarks for success and achievement,” according BC President/ CEO Charisse Bremond Weaver. Ridley- Thomas, an elected official for more than 20 years has forged beyond the ordinary leadership paradigm in his efforts to address the problems of underserved communities in Los Angeles, she said.
“The country has marveled at his accomplishments as a preeminent civil rights leader and politician in the fight to provide affordable, quality healthcare to underserved individuals,” Bremond Weaver said in a statement released earlier this week.
“He has also been at the forefront of the battle to open the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital.”
Ridley-Thomas won election to the Los Angeles City Council in 1991. In 2002, he began the first of two terms in the state Senate. In 2008, he was elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, representing the Second District. As a city council member, Ridley-Thomas created the Empowerment Congress to give residents a voice in decision-making; he is considered the father of the Neighborhood Council movement. He is also a leader in the effort to add a transit station to the rail line that will travel along Crenshaw Boulevard to the airport, which will improve transportation and create tens of thousands of jobs.
“During his many years of service, Ridley-Thomas and the Brotherhood Crusade have stood on the same side of issues, as they fought to make life better for their constituents,” said a BC spokesperson.
Said Ridley Thomas, “The Brotherhood Crusade’s role in bettering our community and improving lives is well-documented, and to be honored by such an organization leaves me with a sense of deep satisfaction.”
Meanwhile, BC officials gala attendees to gear up for a fun night as, “the man who put the ‘C’ in ‘cool’ will bring the funk and fun with oldies like, ‘What Time is it?’ and ‘Cool,’” they said.
“Our galas are always fun,” said Bremond Weaver.
“The issues we tackle are serious, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a good time.”
Each year the fundraiser attracts about a thousand celebrants: celebrities, elected officials, community leaders, and other supporters, said BC officials.
Guests will learn about the many ways the organization helps improve the lives of residents in South Los Angeles. This year’s theme is “The Gift of Leadership.”
The gala begins at 7 p.m. Chris Schauble, co-anchor of KTLA 5 Morning News, and Pat Prescott, a radio personality with 94.7 The Wave, will emcee. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Brotherhood Crusade’s youth development programs. The Beverly Hilton Hotel is located at 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 90210.
The Brotherhood Crusade thanks its sponsors for their generous support of the gala: The California Endowment; AEG; Nielsen; Southern California Edison; US Soccer Foundation; DirecTV; American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper; Verizon; Bank of America; Microsoft; Wells Fargo; Comerica Bank; Northern Trust; Ivie, McNeil & Wyatt; SEIU ULTCW; Southwest Airlines; and The Berry Gordy Family Foundation.
