LAAAWPAC Inaugural Awards Gala 2019

Happy Holidays, Thank you for attending the “Honoring Black Ex- cellence” Inaugural Awards Gala. On behalf of Los Angeles African American Women’s Political Action Committee (LAAAWPAC) and the Gala Sub-Committee, we welcome you! This evening’s celebration will honor eight phenomenal women that live in the vision of “Black Excellence.” My image for this evening is to create an event that not only honors community, but focuses on the power, resilience, and beauty of Black women. Maya Angelou once said, “Look closely at the present you are constructing. It should look like the future you are dreaming.” Tonight’s honorees exemplify the legacy of historical women whose names we will call on as our ances- tors. Sojourner Truth, Ella Baker, Madame CJ Walker, Harriett Tub- man, Mary McLeod Bethune, Shirley Chisholm, Fannie Lou Hamer. Congratulations Congresswoman Karen Bass, Dr. Melina Abdullah, Pamela Bakewell, Susan Burton, Heather Hutt, Areva Martin Esq., Tif- fany Mayberry, and Patricia “Patt” Sanders. You are paving trails, breaking down barriers, changing systems, and inspiring future gener- ations. I am honored to celebrate you this evening, and I thank you for all that you do. [ÉÇA f{tÇÇÉÇ g{ÉÅtá TÄÄxÇ Gala Event Chair 3

In 1991, The Los Angeles African American Women Political Action Committee sought to increase the rep- resentation of African American women in the political arena to address the many social, economic, educa- tional and health concerns in this specific community. Since that year, “The gains we are seeing today are a direct result of Black women’s brilliant strategy, tireless work and bravery in the face of conditions that are often unfair and sometimes dangerous. This determined push forward finds us at a moment when Black women are cen- tral to a strategy for potential progressive gains. History has shown that we are one of our country’s most powerful, important leadership assets, particu- larly during moments of crisis. Certainly, that was the case when Shirley Chisolm won office in 1968, a year marked by one of the most turbulent pe- riods of racial strife and anti-war protests in American history. “ “This year, we should all be buoyed by the Chisholm effect, which spawned generations of Black women determined to and successful at breaking politi- cal glass ceilings. There’s an opportunity in the coming months for Black women to build on these gains by taking decisive action to increase our po- litical representation and provide America with leadership that is powerful, connected and lasting.” By Kamala Harris, U.S, Senator (D-CA) The existence and the efforts of the Los Angeles African American Women Political Action Committee is looking forward to changing the statistics of the California State senate, and Statewide elected executive offices, as well as local Mayors. JOIN THE PAC and let’s change the American Politics. VxÄxáà|Çx ctÄÅxÜ LAAAWPAC Founder 4

HISTORY OF Los Angeles African American Women Political Action Committee (LAAAWPAC) Empowering African Americans Through Political Change LAAAWPAC was founded in 1991 by Celestine Palmer as the first African American Wom- en’s Political Action Committee formed in the State of California, to bring African American women squarely into the political arena, and to raise campaign funds to support candidates and issues that address the social, economic, and educational concerns of the African Amer- ican community. We are proud of the many LAAAWPAC endorsed candidates that have run and won! Over the years, LAAAWPAC has led in efforts to educate our community regarding the politi- cal process so that we can make informed voting decisions on candidates, and the issues that affect our well-being. We have sponsored candidate and issues forums, and we have developed and hosted workshops that have dealt with issues of health, education, and busi- ness. LAAAWPAC has collaborated with other organizations through roundtables and seminars to encourage women to become involved in the political process as candidates, campaign managers, and as appointees to boards and commissions. Most importantly, with the help of our members and supporters we have raised funds for numerous candidates and ballot initi- atives. Our first donation was to the Honorable Barbara Lee in her first campaign for the Cali- fornia Legislature. On LAAAPAC’s 10th Anniversary we introduced the Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute (LAAAWPPI), a separate organization with the goal of preparing wom- en for leadership in business, government and community. Many of the LAAAWPPI Alum- nus have successfully run for public office and become leaders in business and community. . LAAAWPAC has made significant progress since our inception in 1991, and we are excit- ed for the future of LAAAWPAC as we continue to grow our membership and empower the next generation of African American leaders and voters.   5

  LAAAWPAC Celestine Palmer Ingrid A. Palmer Founder President       Nichelle Henderson   Traci Bivens-Davis   Velma Carr Marshall Vice President Recording Secretary Treasurer Political Involvement       Gwen Coley Thelá Thatch Danette McBride Parliamentarian Communications Officer Membership Officer       6

Shannon Thomas-Allen Lena Brown Cine Ivery Resources Officer Hospitality Interim Financial Secretary Joy Atkinson Jacquelynn Hawthorne Hon. Gwen Moore (RET) Member-at-Large Member-at-Large Member-at-Large Gail Willis Jimmie Woods-Gray Member-at-Large Member-at-Large 7

Dear Friends, It gives me great pleasure to welcome all who have gath- ered for the Los Angeles African American Women Politi- cal Action Committee’s (LAAAWPAC) 2019 Inaugural Awards Gala, Honoring Black Excellence. For more than 25 years, LAAAWPAC has prided itself in being the premier African American Women PAC of Los Angeles and the state of California. Due to the generosity of our members and supporters we have been instrumental in the election of numerous African Ameri- can women into positions of leadership and power ranging from local, state and federal offices, commissions and board of directors. Our vision is to be a political action committee whose voice echoes the voices of the community it represents and seeks out and supports African American Women who will ensure the con- cerns of our communities are addressed. While in LAAAWPAC’s past we have presented the Power PAC award to African American Women who have broken through glass ceilings, we felt that this unique season in politics called us to reignite the celebration of Black women, specifically Black Excellence. Our honorees this evening are women who play a vital role in many areas of influence, have overcome stereotypes and preconceptions and still exemplified “Black Excellence”. Their essence, style and spirit are only a few of the characteristics that set them apart. Please join us as we acknowledge this year’s honorees accomplishments and support them as women who make a difference in the African American com- munity, the city of Los Angeles, the State of California and the United States of America. 2019 Black Excellence Honorees, we salute you! \\ÇzÜ|w ctÄÅxÜ LAAAWPAC President 8

LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING JAMES WELDON JOHNSON, J. ROSAMOND JOHNSON Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; let our rejoicing rise, high as the list'ning skies, let it resound loud as the rolling sea sing a song full of faith that the dark past has taught us, sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; facing the rising sun of our new day begun, let us march on till victory is won. Stony the road we trod, bitter the chast'ning rod, felt in the day that hope unborn had died; yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet, come to the place on witch our fathers sighed? we have come over a way that with tears has been watered, we have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last where the white gleam of our star is cast. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou who has brought us thus far on the way; thou who has by thy might, led us into the light, keep us forever in the path, we pray lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee, least our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee, shadowed beneath the hand, may we forever stand, true to our God, True to our native land. 1619-2019 9

Welcome .....................................................................Celestine Palmer, Founder Intro of MC................................................... Shannon Thomas Allen, Gala Chair Mistress of Ceremonies .......................................................... Jasmyne Cannick The Black National Anthem ..........................................................Shang Abrams Opening Remarks ..........................................................Ingrid Palmer, President Invocation ........................................................... Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard DINNER IS SERVED Entertainment for the Evening “Bits & Pieces” U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN KAREN BASS Sojourner Truth Legacy Award Representative of the 37th Congressional District of California SUSAN BURTON Harriet Tubman Humanitarian Award Founder of A New Way of Life Reentry Project PAMELA BAKEWELL Madam CJ Walker Business Award Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of the Bakewell Company 10

AREVA MARTIN. ESQ. Mary McCleod Bethune Education Award Founder & President of the Special Needs Network, Author & Award-Winning Civil Rights Attorney DR. MELINA ABDULLAH Ella Baker Community Organizing Award Professor & Chair of Pan-African Studies at Cal State LA #BlackLivesMatter PATRICIA “PATT” SANDERS Fannie Lou Hamer Political Engagement Award Vice-Chair L.A. County Democratic Party Commissioner & Community Activist TIFFANY MAYBERRY Shirley Chisholm Trailblazer Award Director of Employee Engagement, Warner Bros. Entertainment HEATHER HUTT Black Excellence Award State Director for Senator Kamala Harris Acknowledgments .......................................................... Shannon Thomas Allen Closing Remarks ......................................................................... Ingrid A Palmer ~~~~ DANCING 11

U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN KAREN BASS Sojourner Truth Legacy Award Congressmember Karen Bass was re-elected to her fifth term represent- ing the 37th Congressional District in November 2018. Congressmem- ber Bass serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs as Chair of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations and the House Judiciary Committee as Chair of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Home- land Security. Congressmember Bass also serves as the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Prior to serving in Congress, Congressmember Bass made history when the California Assembly elected her to be its 67th Speaker, catapulting her to become the first African American woman in U.S. history to serve in this powerful state legislative role. Congressmember Bass served as Speak- er during California’s greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. In addition to helping to navigate the state through a very difficult time, she also championed efforts to improve foster care and quality healthcare for Californians. For her leadership during the worst recession California had faced since the Great Depression, she, along with the three legislative leaders that she worked alongside, were awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2010. Before serving as an elected official, while working as a Physician Assistant and as a clinical instruc- tor at the USC Keck School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program, Congressmember Bass con- vened local community organizers and founded Community Coalition (CoCo), an organization with a mission to help transform the social and economic conditions in South LA that foster addiction, crime, violence and poverty by building a community institution that involves thousands in creating, influencing and changing public policy. Congressmember Bass grew up with three brothers in the Venice/Fairfax area of Los Angeles and is the only daughter of DeWitt and Wilhelmina Bass. She graduated from Hamilton High School, Cal State Dominguez Hills, and the University of Southern California’s School of Medicine Physician As- sistant Program. 12

PAMELA BAKEWELL Madam CJ Walker Business Award Pamela A. Bakewell is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bakewell Company, one of the largest African American commercial real estate development companies in the Western United States. The Bakewell Company is also the Parent Company of Bakewell Media, owner of the LA Sentinel and the LA Watts Times Newspapers and WBOK Radio Station in New Orleans, LA. As Chief Operating Of- ficer, Ms. Bakewell oversees the day-to-day operations of the real estate development and redevelopment projects, the print and broadcasting divisions of the Bakewell Com- pany and the company’s premier food and family festival, Taste of Soul, which reached record at- tendance of over 350,000 in 2017. Ms. Bakewell’s pivotal leadership role in the growth of her fami- ly’s businesses, as well as her family’s legacy in civil rights advocacy, has led to her strong relation- ships with corporations, advertisers, retailers, small to mid-size businesses, community groups, non- profits and political leadership in the Los Angeles and Los Angeles County communities. Continuing her family’s legacy in non-profit leadership, Ms. Bakewell currently serves as the Presi- dent of Sabriya’s Castle of Fun Foundation, which helps hospitalized children affected by leukemia, sickle cell disease and other blood disorders. At different points in her career, Ms. Bakewell also held Executive leadership positions at the Los Angeles Urban League, the Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade, and Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. Highly regarded as a uniquely talented business leader, motivator and mentor, Ms. Bakewell has given her time and expertise to numerous social and community causes. She currently serves as a Board Member of the Brotherhood Crusade, Brotherhood Business Development & Capital Fund, Mothers In Action and the African American Unity Center. Ms. Bakewell recently served on the Com- mission on the Status of Women for the City of Los Angeles as an appointee of Mayor Eric Garcetti. She is also a member of the Coalition of 100 Black Women, a lifetime member of the National Coun- cil of Negro Women and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund for advancing human rights for African Americans. Ms. Bakewell is also a former board member of the Los Angeles Education Partnership (LAEP). In 2016, Ms. Bakewell was the recipient of the Woman of Power Community Service Award by the 10th Council District’s Women’s Steering Committee under the leadership of LA Council President Herb Wesson. In 2013, she re- ceived the Community Leadership Award from the Woman-to-Woman Recovery Programs in Long Beach and later that year, the LA Urban League Young Professionals honored her for Outstanding Leadership. In 2011, Ms. Bakewell received the prestigious SHERO award presented by former Senator Curren Price (currently LA City Councilman for the 9th District), for her outstanding commu- nity service and leadership. Ms. Bakewell is passionate about advancing leadership and career op- portunities for young people. Pamela Bakewell was born in New Orleans, LA, earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Lin- denwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, and holds a California Real Estate Sales License. Alt- hough Ms. Bakewell has attained an impressive list of professional achievements, her most cher- ished personal accomplishment has been raising five wonderful children in the midst of balancing her busy career. Faith and family are Ms. Bakewell’s top priorities. 13

HEATHER HUTT Black Excellence Award Heather Hutt is the State Director for United States Senator Kamala D. Harris. In this role, Heather oversees all office operations across five district offices and serves as the Senator’s principal representative among constituents and elected leaders throughout California. Heather was hired in 2017 to work as Senator Harris’ Southern California Depu- ty State Director and then in 2018 was promoted to the Deputy State Director working on Senator Harris’ community Town halls, civic en- gagement and liaising with key leaders. In the past, she has organized Maternal Morbidity roundtables with health care professionals to discuss implicit bias in Health care throughout the state to amplify Senator Harris’ Maternal CARE ACT legislation. Recently, she has organized a DACA roundtable with DACA recipients to discuss the current state of DACA in light of the upcoming Supreme Court decision. Prior to working for Senator Harris, she was the District Director for California State Senator Isadore Hall in California’s 35th Senate District. In her role, she led an Environmental Justice Hearing on Air, Water and Earth and its impact on the Health of the Watts Community. As the District Director for the 64th Assembly District, she organized The Assembly Select Committee on Community Resources Impacted by AB109 RE-Entry as well as the Assembly Select Committee on Human Rights, Diversi- ty & Race Relations. She also structured a group of local faith based leaders along to create a faith- based curriculum for boys ages 11-18 at risk of unhealthy relationships and participation in (DMST) Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking. Heather has served as a Delegate for the California Democratic Party and in 2014, she was elected as the Treasurer of the California Democratic Party African American Caucus where she served one term. She’s trained canvassers for Democratic candidates during the election cycle, including for Barack Obama’s first presidential campaign. She has participated in federal, state and local government and political issues since she was 16 years old. Heather is an activist and organizer working tirelessly to ensure civil rights, human rights, women’s rights, equality, economic and social justice for all people. One of her main goals are to energize the next generation of leaders. Prior to accepting her position in government, she was a founding partner in The Hutt Group a Mar- keting, Branding and Event Producing Company with prestigious clients as NAACP National Board, The Los Angeles Sentinel, GEM Communications, Brotherhood Crusade, New Connections, Assem- bly Member Mike Davis, Mayor Danny Tabor, Senator Isadore Hall, III. In addition to building Marketing and Advertising Campaigns she launched the “VOTE LA “campaign and L.A. Cities Clean Air- Clean water campaign for the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorders office. She also shaped critical outreach to pass the \"Durbin Bill\" a federal bill that gives credit card fee reduction to businesses. She recently received awards from the California State Democratic Party African American Caucus for “Breaking the Glass Ceiling” as the first African American Deputy State Director for the US Sen- ate in California’s history. In 2018, New Frontier Democratic Club honored her with “Emerging Lead- ers Award.” Heather was born and raised in Los Angeles and she is the proud mother of three sons Hamilton, Harrison, and Hugh. 14

TIFFANY MAYBERRY Shirley Chisholm Trailblazer Award Tiffany Mayberry is currently Director, Employee Engagement at Warn- er Bros. Entertainment. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Univer- sity of California, Berkeley and later attended Columbia University School of Social Work. Prior to her role which collaborates with part- ners across the company and enterprise for inclusive, collaborative ini- tiatives, Ms. Mayberry spent fifteen years between Warner Bros. and HBO as an executive in television production Legal domestically and internationally. Throughout her career in such positions under the now parent company, WarnerMedia, she has been a recipient of the NAMIC Leadership Program, graduate of the African-American Board Leadership Institute (AABLI), an Ambassador for Proctor & Gamble’s My Black is Beautiful campaign, an active partici- pant in her community, and devote volunteer. In 2017, Ms. Mayberry became a founding Chair Member for the Downtown Women’s Center Leadership Council, in which she now holds the seat of President. She is also a member of the 14th class of the Los Angeles African-American Women’s Public Policy Institute (LAAAWPPI) and a recent graduate of CORO’s Women in Leadership. She currently resides in her native hometown of Los Angeles, California. “I ran for the presidency, despite hopeless odds, to demonstrate the sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo.” ~ Shirley Chisholm 15

MELINA ABDULLAH, PH.D. Ella Baker Community Organizing Award @docmellymel Melina Abdullah is Professor of Pan-African Studies at Cal State LA, and served as Department Chair from 2011-2019. She earned her PhD from University of Southern California in Political Science and her BA from Howard University in African American Studies. Dr. Abdullah has written numerous scholarly articles and book chapters, and regu- larly contributes to popular media outlets. Her dissertation research was foundational to the curricu- lum of the Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute (LAAAWPPI), where she served on the Board for 10 years. She is a leader in the fight for Ethnic Studies, having served on the Taskforce for the Advancement of Ethnic Studies and the Ethnic Studies Council Steering Com- mittee for the California State University, and on the Board for the National Association for Ethnic Studies. She was among the original group of organizers that convened to form Black Lives Matter, is a Los Angeles chapter lead, and a core member of the BLM California and national policy/political teams. A strong believer in organized labor, Melina serves as a part of the leadership of her union, the California Faculty Association, at the chapter and statewide level. “Doc Melly Mel” co-hosts the weekly radio program Beautiful Struggle on KPFK, hosts the internet radio show Move the Crowd on Radio Justice and recently launched The Call on YouTube. She portrays herself in a recurring role on the scripted television series Good Trouble. Melina is originally from Oakland, California, living in Los Angeles for more than 20 years. She is a single “soccer mama” of three children. \"Until the killing of black men, black mothers' sons, becomes as important to the rest of the country as the killing of a white mother's sons, we who believe in freedom cannot rest until this happens.\" ~ Ella Baker 16

SUSAN BURTON Harriet Tubman Humanitarian Award Following the tragic accidental death of her five-year-old son, Susan’s world collapsed. Her loss snapped the final tether of resilience bur- dened by a past of pain and trauma. She descended into an emotion- al abyss of darkness and despair, but living in South Los Angeles, Susan didn’t have access to the resources she needed to heal. With- out support, she turned to drugs and alcohol, which led to nearly 20 years revolving in and out of prison. Drawing on her personal experiences, she founded A New Way of Life Reentry Project (ANWOL) in 1998, dedicating her life to helping other women break the cycle of incarceration. ANWOL provides resources such as housing, case management, employment, legal services, leadership development and community organizing on behalf of, and with, people who struggle to rebuild their lives after in- carceration. Susan has earned numerous awards and honors for her work. In 2010, she was named a CNN Top Ten Hero and received the prestigious Citizen Activist Award from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She is a recipient of both the Encore Purpose Prize (2012) and the James Irvine Foun- dation Leadership Award (2014). In 2015, on the 50th Anniversary of Selma and the Voting Rights Act, Susan Burton was named by the Los Angeles Times as one of 18 New Civil Rights Leaders in the nation. Released in 2017, her memoir, Becoming Ms. Burton, received a 2018 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work in the category of Biography/Autobiography. Becoming Ms. Burton is also the recipient of the inaugural Goddard Riverside Stephan Russo Book Prize for Social Justice. “I had crossed de line of which I had so long been dream- ing. I was free; but dere was no one to welcome me to de land of freedom…, But to dis solemn resolution I came; I was free, and dey should be free also; I would make a home for dem in de North, and de Lord helping me, I would bring dem all dere.” ~Harriet Tubman 17

AREVA MARTIN, ESQ. Mary McLeod Bethune Education Award Passionate, outspoken and wise, AREVA MARTIN is an award-winning attor- ney, best-selling author, legal commentator, talk show host and television pro- ducer who has positioned herself as a critical voice for social justice and used her razor-sharp point of view to become America’s go-to advocate. Born and raised in North St. Louis, Missouri, Areva’s grandmother stressed the importance of education at an early age. Upon graduating from the all-girls Catholic college preparatory insti- tution Rosati-Kain, Areva went on to attend the University of Chicago, where she graduated with honors be- fore earning a law degree from the prestigious Harvard Law School. Soon after finishing her education, Areva had relocated to California and married longtime love Ernest Martin. The pair would start a family, and together, founded the Los Angeles based civil rights firm, Martin & Martin, LLP, where Areva gained a large clientele and following for her no-holds-bar brand of advocacy and her ap- proach to blending her skillful legal expertise with basic common sense. As an attorney, Areva has been involved in a number of high-profile cases, and for the past five years, has been identified as a Southern California Super Lawyer, a designation reserved for the top 5 percent of attor- neys in the state. Since starting her career, Areva has garnered a myriad of awards and honors, including L’Oreal Paris’ Women of Worth, the Los Angeles County Women of the Year Award, Ford’s Living Legend Award, the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award and Union Bank’s Neighborhood Hero Award. Television executives soon took notice, and as an advocate for social justice, children’s and women’s issues, as well as the underserved, Areva began booking appearances on various programs and talk shows. Her candid commentary on a range of topics from celebrity news, pop culture, race, politics, the law and breaking news, brought a spotlight to Areva’s ability to captivate audiences through her active and intentional mission of raising awareness around critical matters and being a champion for the less fortunate, while inspiring and educating viewers on how to wake up! Recognized as one of the nation’s leading advocates for autism, Areva is the author of an Amazon bestselling book, The Everyday Advocate: Standing Up for Your Child with Autism and Other Special Needs. (Penguin 2010). After her son’s diagnosis with autism, Areva created Special Needs Network, Inc., California’s premier autism advocacy organization. Having raised millions of dollars for autism and disability-related causes, Are- va has played a leadership role in advocating for state and federal laws to eliminate disparities in state fund- ing for individuals with disabilities. Areva’s third book, Make It Rain: How to Use the Media to Revolutionize Your Business and Brand (Hachette) was released and instantly soared to the top of Amazon, Nielsen, Publishers’ Weekly and Barnes & Noble bestsellers’ lists. In Make It Rain, Areva shares insider’s tips on how to find your authentic voice, amplify it and use it to grow your influence and power. A quotable authority on workplace, disability rights, education, custody issues, Areva has also been featured in a number of publications, including RedBook, The Huffington Post and Essence. As a syndicated column- ist, Areva writes regularly for CNN.com, Daily Beast, Thrive Global and Time.Motto, where you can find her monthly column, Sexist Laws Explained. A mother, wife, attorney, advocate, educator, and television personality Areva Martin redefines success by personifying the notion that women can have it all. An audience favorite on a long list of television’s most il- lustrious and judicious programs, including Dr. Phil, The Doctors, and ABC’s World News Tonight, recently, Areva co-hosted Face The Truth, the celebrated syndicated daytime talk show for CBS. As an influential voice for the country, Areva is also a CNN Legal Analyst with discerning expertise and insight, making her a regular on Good Morning America, Daily Mail TV and various talk and news shows across CNN and HLN. Areva resides in Los Angeles with her family. 18

PATRICIA “PATT” SANDERS Fannie Lou Hamer Political Engagement Award Patricia “Patt” Sanders was born and raised an only child in Los Ange- les, California. Her father was a World War II Veteran and her mother a retail clerk. She was employed with the City of Los Angeles and the De- partment of Water and Power for over 3 decades. Having worked in vari- ous positions, she retired as a Systems Analyst and served as the Vice President of the Engineer and Architects Association. In 2001, looking for something to do with her time, Patt accepted a position with the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder/County Clerk’s office in Norwalk, CA. During her 10 years of employ- ment, she left an indelible mark. She played a major role in the creation of the Los Angeles County Voter Outreach Section and with the development of the Deputy Registrar’s Voter Registration Training program. The Voter Outreach and Training programs conducted voter registration training for a variety of groups and organizations such as unions, fraternities and sororities and senior facili- ties across Los Angeles County. These trainings successfully increased voter engagement and par- ticipation of typically under-represented constituent groups. Most significantly, the volunteers regis- tered a host of new voters in LA correctional facilities, high schools and college campuses. Patt currently serves on the Executive Board of the Los Angeles County Democratic Central Com- mittee as the Female Vice Chair and is the past Corresponding Secretary. She also serves on the Voter Services Committee for the California Democratic party. As a longtime activist, Patt is an active member of SEIU local 721Retirees and a representative to the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor; serving on the Senior and COPE Committees. She has also held membership in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBW). In addition to her union participation, she is also an active member of a number of local democratic clubs; such as Westchester Playa, Stonewall and New Frontier Democratic Clubs to name a few. She is a Mem- ber-at-Large on the Executive Board of the New Frontier Democratic Club where she has held the positions of President and 1st Vice Presidents and has Chaired the Political Action Committee. In addition, Patt has served as Director of Northeast Clinics and is a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. A longtime community activist, Patt serves as a Library Commissioner rep- resenting her beloved City of Inglewood. Her personal goal is to inform, educate and instill a sense of pride in everyone; particularly our youth and members of the African American community. Patt and her loving husband of 51 years, William (Bill), have two children; Michael and Monique, a Son-in-Love, Scott and one grandson, August. “I am determined to get every Negro in the state of Mississippi registered.” ~Fannie Lou Hamer 19

JASMYNE CANNICK Jasmyne Cannick has been writing and speaking publicly since 2004 and she has no plans on stop- ping anytime soon. She has developed a strong national following for her willingness to take on uncomfortable and hard to discuss issues around race, politics and society and tell it like it is. Jasmyne is known for bringing attention to stories that would have gone under-reported, overlooked, or just ignored. She has won numerous awards for her op-eds and reporting and is a frequent on-air contributor. Her writings and commentary have been featured in newspapers from coast to coast and on websites including the award-winning Huff Post, L.A. Weekly, Advocate, Los Angeles Sentinel, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News, and Ebony Magazine to name a few. Her television credits include CNN, Fox News, Dateline, Good Morning America, The Young Turks and more. Among her many accolades, Jasmyne was named one of ESSENCE Magazine’s 25 Women Shap- ing the World, one of the Most Influential African Americans in Los Angeles Under 40 and one of Los Angeles’ Most Fascinating Angelenos by the L.A. Weekly. A forward thinker with the ability to tackle hard to address issues from an unapologetically Black point of view, Jasmyne continues to challenge and shape public opinion while encouraging civic en- gagement for positive social change and advocating for underrepresented and marginalized commu- nities. 20

Shang Abrams is the son of Honoree Patricia “Patt Sanders and William Sanders. Shang is an Actor, Writer, Director and Sing- er. He uses his many talents to further his purpose of bringing heal- ing through artistic expressions. He currently attends Richard Law- son Studios and is grateful to his communities for their ongoing guidance, inspiration, and love. Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard, Founding Pastor of Word of Encouragement Church and Program Director of the Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement at USC. She is a frequent speaker and panelist for conferences related to Wom- en’s Empowerment, Women In Ministry, Sexual Violence Aware- ness, Personal Development, The Black Church and Civic En- gagement. In addition to her core work Rev Najuma is an Author, Radio Show Host, Business Owner and Professional Mentor. She is a lover of social media, music, dancing, movies, Fitness, traveling; and her babies Dorian, Zuri, Daniel (her Angel Child) and grand babies Dylan and Naomi. Bits And Pieces BAND 21

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VÉÇzÜtàâÄtà|ÉÇá PATRICIA \"PATT\" SANDERS And To All The Honorees We are so proud to call you Wife, Mother, and Grandmother! With Love and Much Appreciation From Your Family, William, Michael, Pablo, Monique, Scott and August 25

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Your brightness is the warmth in our life. Congratulations to our wonderful, marvelous daughter. Much love, Mom & Dad 30

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Congratulations to the HONORABLE CONGRESSWOMAN KAREN BASS and to All of the 2019 LAAAWPAC Honorees! Thank you for your service! Jimmie Woods-Gray LAFD Fire Commissioner LAAAWPAC Member-at-Large VOTE FOR KJ A VISION FOR L.A.   Accountability   Consistency   Teamwork    A Vote for KJ is a vote for equality  City of L.A. Budget Advocate   20 Years in Business Management   New Fron er Democra c Club   Black Women’s Democra c Club   LAAAWPPI Candidate 2020  Khansa Jones‐Muhammad Clark For Democra c Party County of Los Angeles Central Commi ee AD54 39

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The Los Angeles African American Women Political Action Committee wishes to thank the following individuals and businesses who contributed to the success of our 2019 Inaugural Awards Gala GALA COMMITTEE Shannon Thomas Allen, Gala Chair Ingrid Palmer Celestine Palmer Nichelle Henderson Traci Bivens-Davis Sandi Cook ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ VOLUNTEERS Shelly Henderson Angela Hope-Smith Lauren Senkbeil Charles Allen Jared Sanchez Norman Thatch ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ EVENT SERVICES Mack Enterprises Unlimited - Graphic Design L.A. Business Printing Jerry Lexion, Photographer DJ Nado Century Flowers, Inc Bits And Pieces The Grand Long Beach LAAAWPAC Board of Directors Arnetta Mack, Mack Enterprises Unlimited Innov8ight 41

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Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas Mayor Eric Garcetti