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1.
Gene Hale, GLAAACC
Chairman
2. Clif
Johnson, 2007
Chairman Emeritus
BHC
3. Virgil
Roberts, former
Leadership and
Community Commitment
Award recipient
4. Tavis
Smiley, 2007
Leadership and
Community Commitment
Award recipient;
5.
J.
Worthy, Master of
Ceremonies
6. Dr.
Cornel West, Author
Educator , guest of
Tavis Smiley
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1.
Clif Johnson, 2007
Chairman Emeritus
2.
Chaka Khan, 2007
Award Recipient
3.
Unknown
4. J.
Worthy, Master of
Ceremonies
All
photos by David
Perry
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(TORRANCE, CA-February 23) - Ten years ago, a visionary enlisted the support of four other prominent African Americans to organize a celebration of culture and diversity in the South Bay business community that would help bridge the gap of understanding and education of that segment of the region.
That visionary was Clifton L. Johnson, now, Vice President & Relationship Manager, The Private Bank - Entertainment Group, Union Bank of California and his four co-chairs were: Los Angeles Police Commission President John W. Mack; Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber Chairman Gene Hale; Tom Bradley Environmental Science and Humanities Magnet School Principal; Dr. Genevieve Shepherd and Emmy Award-winning newscaster Pat Harvey, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies.
A decade later-- the Torrance 10th Annual Black History Celebration held February 23 was a sold-out event that attracted more than 650 persons, chamber members, guests and honorees of national and international status, who converged on the Torrance Marriott for a luncheon program that included glitter, culture and soul food.
This year’s theme, “Celebrating 10 Years of Business, Community & Diversity” was evident when surveying the crowded room. “I can’t believe, I get the chance to see two of my idols being honored here to- day,” this coming from a white journalist covering the event.
The 2007 honorees were: Business Mogul and NBA great Earvin “Magic” Johnson (2007 Professional Spirit Award ); Noted Broadcaster and N.Y. Times Best Selling Author Tavis Smiley (Leadership & Community Commitment Award); Eight-Time Grammy winner Chaka Khan (Humanitarian Award); Ernst & Young Vice Chairman & Sr. Partner, Anthony Anderson (Corporate Leadership Award); GLAAACC Chairman Gene Hale (Business Entrepreneur Award); and Geographic Marketing/Community Manager, Anheuser-Busch, Deloria Jones (Clifton L. Johnson Award for Excellence in Diversity Leadership Award)
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