On Saturday, eleven honorees were awarded at the 43rd Annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Dinner (WMY) and To The Nines Afterparty (TTN). Hosted by the Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL) and Los Angeles Urban League Young Professionals (LAULYP), the prestigious gala held at the historic Beverly Hilton Hotel boasted over 600 guests featuring a stellar reception sponsored by American Airlines. A celebration of outstanding philanthropists, community leaders and executives, the fundraiser united changemakers in an effort to provide fundamental resources to support quality workforce, economic and community development programs through LAUL’s Centers of Excellence.
Hosted by KTLA’s leading anchor Chris Schauble, guests enjoyed dinner and were serenaded with a 30-min Prince tribute from LA’s top Latin R&B band DW3 and ended the evening with the To The Nines afterparty. Attendees included avid Urban League supporter Verdine White from Grammy award-winning music group Earth, Wind and Fire, Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti and New Orleans Saints linebacker James Anderson.
Every year honorees are selected that exemplify dedication to empowering communities and changing lives. This year Deborah Flint, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports was recognized as the 2016 Whitney M. Young, Jr. honoree. “I dedicate this honor to the legacy of my family and what they have done that allows me to be here at this moment in this space. I’m grateful for this recognition and I make a commitment to live my life in excellence as does the membership of Los Angeles Urban League,” Deborah Flint on her award.
Award-winning actor, author and philanthropist Hill Harper was the League’s 2016 Dr. Winston Doby Community Coalition honoree. He addressed guests via video, “I’d like to thank Nolan Rollins for his leadership, he is an individual that shows commitment to community. This is consistent with the mission of the Urban League, words must be followed by deeds for equality to be achievable. The Urban League’s commitment to equal opportunity for all should truly be an American concept. We all have to fight for economic empowerment in our communities and hopefully I represent that.”
To The Nines (TTN) celebrated 9 dynamic young professionals in the non-profit, entertainment, political, and entrepreneurial sectors along with the WMY honorees: Erika McCall Assistant Director, Manifest Your Destiny Foundation; Lil Rel, Comedian, Actor, The Carmichael Show; Kenya Parham, Political Strategist & Fundraising Specialist; Jawane Hilton, Community Relations Director & Thought Leader; James Ward III, Publicist at Terry Hines & Associates; Chris Gilrath, LAULYP Secretary and Executive Board Member; John Bowdre, Motivational Speaker, China Trade Consultant & Corporate Trainer and Rev. Damali Najuma Smith-Pollard, Pastor, Word of Encouragement Community Church & USC Program Manager.
The awards dinner was produced by The Todd Group and sponsored by Edison International, Time Warner Cable, UPS, Enterprise, Toyota Motor Sales, Wells Fargo Bank, AT&T, Fed Ex, JP Morgan Chase, Macy’s, Clay Lacy and Verizon. Rolling Out served as a media partner.
The League is Los Angeles’ premiere community organization in advancing equal opportunities on behalf of African Americans and other minority youths and adults through innovative job training, job placement, youth achievement and business development programs. For more information on the organization and to get involved visit www.laul.org.
