Chris Schauble of "Today in LA" to Serve as Emcee

Los Angeles, CA (April 20, 2007) - The NAACP Los Angeles Branch will hold its 2007 Annual “Roy Wilkins Freedom Fund Awards Gala,” on May 17, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 506 South Grand Ave. in Los Angeles. Festivities will begin with a Reception at 5:45 p.m., followed by the dinner gala at 7:00 p.m.

Under the theme, “Protecting Our Civil Rights,” leaders from the education, social, economic, legal and political sectors will be presented awards in dedication of their talents, time and energy to making a difference.

Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke will be presented the Lifetime Achievement Award. Other honorees include: Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, Philanthropists, President’s Award; Terry L. Hatter, Senior United States District Judge, Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Journey To Justice Award; Natalie Cole, CEO/Publisher, Our Weekly Newspaper, Ida B. Wells Medal of Courage Award; Saundra Davis, Culver City School Board, Emerging Leadership Award; and Addie L. Arbor, Los Angeles NAACP, Volunteer of the Year Award.

A community advocate in his own right, Chris Schauble weekday co-anchor of the NBC4 morning news show "Today in LA" is an adoptee himself, and has dedicated much of his free time helping needy children find homes. He has been recognized with three proclamations from the City of Los Angeles for his community service and will serve as the Freedom Fund Awards emcee. In January 2007, Schauble was named to the “40 under 40” list by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal. Since joining the station in June 2001, he has won a Los Angeles Area Emmy Award and shared in five Golden Mike Awards.

During the past 93 years, the Los Angeles Branch has fought against discrimination and continues to support the programs and policies of the NAACP with aggressive action at the local level. In addition to ongoing initiatives in the areas of civil rights, social and political equality, local priorities revolve around education, economic development and health.

The NAACP is the oldest and largest organization with a focus on civil rights for people of color. For additional information about the Roy Wilkins Freedom Fund Awards Gala, call (323) 857-0869 or the L.A. NAACP office at (323) 296-2630.