Honoring the Legacy. Advancing the Future.

105 years strong. And we are just getting started.

On June 24, 2026, the Los Angeles Urban League welcomed hundreds of corporate, civic, philanthropic, and community leaders to the 51st Annual Whitney M. Young Jr. Awards Celebration at the Skirball Cultural Center.

More than an awards celebration, the evening was a powerful reminder that lasting change is created through partnership, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to expanding opportunity for all.

Inspired by this year’s theme, Honoring the Legacy, Advancing the Future, we celebrated extraordinary individuals whose vision, courage, and service continue to shape a stronger Los Angeles while reaffirming our collective responsibility to invest in the generations that follow.

Rarely does an event exceed the hype, but our gala continues to meet that consistent standard. We just never know what’s going to happen when we assemble so many individuals under one roof, who care so deeply about the future of Los Angeles.

We welcomed nearly 600 business leaders, elected and public officials, philanthropists, corporate partners, entertainment icons, and community advocates to our sold-out 51st Annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Celebration on June 24 at the Skirball Cultural Center.

Presented by Title Sponsor U.S. Bank, the evening celebrated the theme, “Honoring the Legacy, Advancing the Future,” while raising critical support for the Los Angeles Urban League’s programs focused on workforce development, entrepreneurship, education, housing stability, health equity, and economic empowerment. We released a powerful short film (see below Our United Purpose), that highlighted the pillars of our success throughout the previous 12 months.

Hosted by KTLA anchor Chris Schauble, the gala honored five remarkable leaders whose
vision and service continue to create opportunity and improve lives throughout Los Angeles and
beyond:

• • Janice Bryant Howroyd, Founder & CEO, ActOne Group

  • Bridgid Coulter Cheadle, Founder, Blackbird Collective

  • Michael Weinstein, Founder & President, AIDS Healthcare Foundation

  • Jo-An Turman, Head of Global Entertainment Partnerships, Habitat for Humanity International

  • Glynn Turman, Emmy Award-winning actor, director, and youth empowerment advocate

One of the evening’s most inspiring moments came when Los Angeles Urban League President & CEO Cynthia Mitchell-Heard welcomed two remarkable young men to the stage whose journeys exemplify the transformative impact of the Los Angeles Urban League. Coming from modest backgrounds, one student will attend an Ivy League university this fall, while the other will begin his studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Through years of hard work, determination, and the support of the Urban League’s educational programs, both have achieved extraordinary success. In heartfelt remarks, each credited the Los Angeles Urban League with providing the mentorship, encouragement, and opportunities that helped make their dreams a reality.

The celebration welcomed Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, along with an impressive delegation of elected and public officials, including Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Los Angeles City Councilmember Heather Hutt, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren D. Price, Jr., and the Honorable Dr. Michael Davis, demonstrating broad support for the Los Angeles Urban League’s mission and impact throughout the region.

Also in attendance were numerous distinguished guests from the entertainment, business, and philanthropic communities, including acclaimed actor James Pickens Jr. of Grey’s Anatomy, Emmy Award-winning actress, director, and producer Debbie Allen, comedian and television personality Loni Love, NBA champion and entrepreneur Norm Nixon, entrepreneur and philanthropist Kathy Ireland, along with corporate executives, civic leaders, longtime supporters of the Los Angeles Urban League, and many of Southern California’s most influential changemakers.

“The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards is more than a celebration of individual achievement—it is a celebration of what’s possible when leadership is guided by service and a commitment to lifting others,” said Cynthia Mitchell-Heard, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League. “Our honorees exemplify the values that Whitney M. Young Jr. championed throughout his life, and the inspiring stories we shared this evening—including those of our incredible students—remind us why investing in opportunity changes lives. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, partners, and supporters who make this work possible.”

For more than five decades, the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards has recognized individuals whose leadership exemplifies the ideals of one of America’s most influential civil rights leaders.

The Los Angeles Urban League extends its sincere appreciation to the generous sponsors whose leadership made the evening possible. U.S. Bank served as Title Sponsor, joined by the Annenberg Foundation as Chairman Sponsor, and AIDS Healthcare Foundation as President Sponsor. Additional support was provided by the Los Angeles Lakers, Kaiser Permanente, the University of Southern California (USC), Butterfli Technologies, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).