SPECIAL PERFORMANCES BY OCTOBER LONDON, DOUG E. FRESH, AND BEBE WINANS
June 11, 2025 at Skirball Cultural Center
Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL) proudly announces the Golden Anniversary of its prestigious Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards & Celebration, taking place on June 11, 2025, at the Skirball Cultural Center. This milestone event promises an unforgettable evening honoring excellence, resilience, and unity. This year’s theme, “Restore, Rebuild and Embrace Community: A Night of Unity, Justice, and Healing,” underscores LAUL’s continued mission to uplift and empower communities. The evening will begin with a special tribute to first responders—firefighters from California, neighboring states, Mexico, and Canada—who courageously battled the unprecedented wildfires in January. Their heroism will be honored in a moment of deep appreciation.
“The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards & Celebration is a cornerstone of our mission to uplift and empower communities,” said Cynthia Mitchell-Heard, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League. “As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we reflect on the incredible legacy of Whitney M. Young, Jr. and the impact of our honorees who continue to push forward the fight for equity and opportunity. All of our honorees represent different sectors of accomplishment embodied by Whitney Young. They reflect some of the strategic pillars of work that defined Young: social justice—George Fatheree III, representation—Norm Nixon, entrepreneurship—Nicole Harper Rawlins, and advocacy and using your voice & platform—Jenifer Lewis. This event is not just a celebration but a call to action, reminding us all of the work that remains to be done to ensure justice and prosperity for future generations.”
The evening will feature a historic musical lineup, bringing together three iconic artists for a once-in-a-lifetime performance. October London, the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter with a voice reminiscent of Marvin Gaye, mentored by Snoop Dogg and known for his soulful contemporary R&B hits, will take the stage. Joining him will be Doug E. Fresh, the legendary Hip-Hop artist and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, renowned as the “Human Beat Box.” Closing the musical experience will be BeBe Winans, the six-time Grammy Award-winning gospel icon, who will deliver an unforgettable, uplifting performance.
Each year, the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards recognize individuals whose achievements align with LAUL’s mission. The 2025 honorees include Jenifer Lewis, actress, singer, and author known as “The Mother of Black Hollywood”, receiving the Visionary Award; George Fatheree III, a distinguished social impact attorney, honored with the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award; Nicole Harper Rawlins, a successful McDonald’s franchise owner and entrepreneur, receiving the Trailblazer Award; and Norm Nixon, basketball legend and philanthropist, awarded the John Mack Legacy Award.
The annual celebration convenes over 1,000 influential business leaders, community advocates, policymakers, and celebrities, all united by a shared commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive future. The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards & Celebration is made possible through the generous support of corporate and community partners, including US Bank, Grow@Annenberg, Stocker Street Creative, Annenberg Foundation, Noel Massie, Aids Healthcare Foundation, Comerica, Harvey Hubble Foundation, Lakers, Mutchnik, Sheppard Mullin, City First Bank. First American Title, King & Spalding LLP, KPMG, L.A. Care Health Plan, LADWP, and Lendistry.
For more information on sponsorships,
please contact Laureen O’Hara Abeyta, [email protected],
(D) 323.621.5306 | (O) 323.299.9660
Event Details:
DATE: June 11, 2025
TIME: 5:30 PM – Red Carpet & Cocktail Reception
7:00 PM – Dinner & Program
LOCATION: Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90067
ABOUT WHITNEY M YOUNG, JR.
A disruptive legendary Civil Rights leader and member of the so-called “Big Six,” the six most important people in the Civil Rights movement. As Executive Director of the National Urban League from 1961 till his death in 1971, he is credited with strategically transforming the Urban League from a passive organization–into one that worked assertively and proficiently for equitable access and social justice for historically disenfranchised people. Young died at age 49 from a drowning in Nigeria. For 50 years Whitney M. Young Jr.’s namesake has been synonymous with the most important annual event for the Los Angeles Urban League.
Media inquiries, please contact:
Rona Menashe, Guttman Associates
[email protected]
310/246-4600 (O) 310/489-4693 (M)
Ron Carter, The Carter Agency
