ACADEMY PRESIDENT CHERYL BOONE ISAACS,
PRODUCER DEVON FRANKLIN, COMCAST’S KEN MAXEY
AND BROTHERHOOD CRUSADES’ CHARISSE BREMOND WEAVER TO BE
HONORED AT THE SCLC-SC’S 2016
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
LEGACY AWARDS & BENEFIT GALA
Gala Hosted by Code Black’s William Allen Young
King Holiday, Monday, January 18, 2016
LOS ANGELES, CA (DECEMBER 17, 2015) – On King Holiday, Monday, January 18, 2016, the
Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California (SCLC-SC) will hold their annual Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Awards & Benefit Gala in the Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton
Gateway Hotel in Los Angeles.
“This year’s King Legacy Awards recipients reflect excellence in promoting equality and justice in the
spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Honorary Chairperson Matthew M. Johnson, Esq., President
of the LA Police Commission and Managing Partner, Ziffren Brittenham LLP, “I’m excited to be a part
of such a prestigious event that supports the mission of continuing to uphold and expand Dr. King’s
dream.”
Hosted by actor William Allen Young of CBS drama, Code Black, the theme of the evening is
‘Bending the Arc & Breaking Barriers.’
“We are attempting to involve more programs and people from a cross section of the community,
because that is how Dr, King lived” said Pastor William D. Smart Jr., President/CEO of the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California. “As we rebuild the movement it takes all of us
participating and working together.”
The 2016 SCLC-SC King Legacy Awards honorees are: Cheryl Boone Isaacs, President of the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences; DeVon Franklin, best-selling author and President/CEO
of Sony Studios-based Franklin Entertainment; Ken Maxey, Comcast Director of External Affairs,
California Region; and Charisse Bremond Weaver, President/CEO of the Brotherhood Crusade.
Cheryl Boone Isaacs, made history when she became the first African-American President of the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS). Cheryl will receive the Rosa Parks
Humanitarian Award. This award is presented to an individual or group, who like Rosa Parks, inspires
others and leads in the task of bridge building and creating relationships of mutuality and respect while
achieving strategic movement forward. AMPAS, with a membership composed of nearly 6,000 motion
picture industry professionals and craftsmen, is widely known for its televised annual Academy Awards
ceremony at which “Oscars” are given for cinematic excellence. Cheryl was serving as the board’s vice
president when she was elected for a one-year term as president of AMPAS on July 30, 2013, thus
becoming only the third woman and the first African American to hold that position in the 86-year
history of the academy. She was recently elected for a third term.
DeVon Franklin, best-selling author and President/CEO of Sony Studios-based Franklin Entertainment
will receive the Rev. Thomas Kilgore, Jr. Prophetic Witness Award. This award is presented to an
individual or organization, who like Dr. Kilgore effectively promotes and embodies the ideas of Dr.
King in both the sacred and secular communities. As a producer, a published author, a preacher and
media personality, DeVon is using the power of entertainment to bring inspiration and motivation to the
masses. Ebony Magazine has name him one of the top 100 influential African-Americans in America
and Beliefnet named him one of “Most Influential Christians Under 40.”
Ken Maxey, Comcast Director of External Affairs, California Region will receive the Emerging Leader
Award which is given to a rising leader with a strong commitment to community, and displays
characteristics Dr. King demonstrated. In his role at Comcast, Ken coordinates with local government
representatives to advocate on behalf of progressive telecommunications policies at the state and local
level. Mr. Maxey is active on many boards, committees and councils in both the San Francisco Bay and
Greater Los Angeles Areas. He is a Co-founder of New Leaders Council - Los Angeles and Progress for
a New Generation - CA.
Charisse Bremond-Weaver, President/CEO of the Brotherhood Crusade is being honored with the
Chairman’s Award. This Award is presented for leadership and perseverance in applying the nonviolent
philosophy of Dr. King toward the achievement of human relations and civil rights goals. Under the
leadership and direction of Charisse Bremond Weaver, Brotherhood Crusade is building up the lives of
California’s youth by providing the love, mentoring and skills they need to thrive.
Leading up to the Legacy Awards & Benefit Gala is a full week of events to recognize the legacy of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr:
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016
The SCLC-SC King Legacy Week kicks off on Tuesday, January 12 with the final round of the SCLCSC Emerging Leaders’ Youth Essay/Oratorical and Art Contest at Holman United Methodist
Church. The top six finalists will present their speeches on the theme “Bending the Arc and Breaking
Barriers for Justice in the 2016 Presidential Election.” The contest is open to all Southern California
middle and high school students, with the finalists receiving cash prizes. The contest entry deadline is
December 23, 2015. Applications and contest rules can be found at www.SCLC-SC.org.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016
In homage to Dr. King’s commitment to citizen participation at all levels of government, Wednesday,
January 13 is designated as SCLC-SC/Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic
Engagement Day, which will include a voter registration drive.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2016
MLK Legacy Awards & Benefit Gala honoree DeVon Franklin is the keynote speaker at the Annual
SCLC-SC Interfaith Prayer Breakfast. The event is open to all faiths and will be held at the historic
Holman United Methodist Church, where Dr. King often spoke. Holman’s Pastor Emeritus is civil rights
legend Rev. James Lawson. Tickets are $25 in advance, and $30 at the door. Breakfast begins at 8:00
a.m. Visit www.SCLC-SC.org for more information and to purchase tickets.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2016
On Friday, January 15—the actual birthdate of Dr. King—an original stage play, “Martin: Duty Calls,”
will have its only Los Angeles performance at West Angeles Church of God in Christ. The play depicts
the story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., from the initial bus boycott support of Rosa Parks in 1955 to his
death in 1968. A post event audience discussion of the challenges and successes, as well as the price of
answering the call will take place immediately afterwards. For information on the play visit
www.martindutycalls.com This event is free to the public.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2016
On Saturday, January 16 at 7:30 pm, the acclaimed Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles
(ICYOLA) under the direction of esteemed composer and conductor, Charles Dickerson III will hold a
free concert: “A Celebration of the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr” at Holman United Methodist
Church. The ICYOLA consists of approximately sixty middle, high school and college students,
primarily of African-American descent.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2016
In honor of Dr. King’s calling as minister, as well as his embracing and generating of interfaith
alliances, the SCLC-SC is asking all religions, denominations and creeds to recognize Dr. King in their
respective services held during Friday, January 15 (his day of birth) through Sunday, January 17.
MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2016
The King Legacy Week Festival culminates on King Holiday, Monday, January 18, 2016 with the
popular Annual Kingdom Day Parade which will be held in the morning. Presented by Congress of
Racial Equality, California (CORE-CA), the SCLC-SC is a parade partner. The SCLC-SC King
Legacy Awards Gala takes place in the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Los Angeles
beginning with a VIP reception at 5p.m., followed by dinner and program at 6p.m. Tickets are $200 and
available at www.SCLC-SC.org, that also features opportunities for benefit gala sponsorships and ads.
For more information regarding the SCLC-SC King Legacy Week Festival and the SCLC-SC King
Legacy Awards & Benefit Gala send an email to: [email protected] Or call the SCLC-SC
Information Line: (213) 268-3082
Media Contact:
SCLC-Southern California PR Team
[email protected]
(818) 434-2352
ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (SCLC-SC)
In 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. officially established the Southern Christian Leadership Conference
in Los Angeles with civil rights icon and USC stalwart, Dr. Thomas Kilgore, Jr. and Douglas Dollarhide
(becoming Compton’s first African American Mayor in 1969). Now, SCLC of Southern California
(SCLC-SC), in addition to special civil and human rights commemorative programs—such as the
1965 Voting Rights Act 50th Anniversary events—holds annual events, including: The MLK Legacy
Awards & Benefit Gala; The Interfaith Prayer Breakfast; and the Day of Sacrifice Luncheon. SCLCSC stays engaged with current issues through its ongoing initiatives and partnerships with other nonprofits, faith-based entities, labor organizations, advocacy groups, etc., that are not only diverse in
demographics, but size and mission—whether social/economic justice, voter empowerment,
employment, etc. Other examples are: the Fathers Initiative with Holman United Methodist Church
and 100 Black Men of Los Angeles; a technology partnership with the Foundation for Successful
Solutions (FSS), which includes programs addressing the digital divide; etc. SCLC-SC also works
strategically with leaders in the public and private sectors at all levels.
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