California Black Women’s Collective Will Crown 70 “Trailblazers” at Awards Ceremony in June

By California Black Media Staff

Seventy Black Women will be “crowned” when the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute (CABWCEI) presents the 2024 California Trailblazers Hall of Fame Awards Celebration. The event will be held at the historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre in L.A. on June 14 at 6:30 p.m.

“The Trailblazers Hall of Fame Awards honor and celebrate the remarkable achievements of California Black Women who have made significant contributions in their respective fields,” said Kellie Todd Griffin, CABWCEI president and CEO.

“These trailblazers serve as inspiring role models and catalysts for positive change in our communities,” she said.

CABWCEI is a non-profit that is focused on impacting and improving the lives of Black Women and Girls throughout the state by partnering with corporate, social, not for profit and advocacy organizations to develop programs and initiatives designed to dismantle systemic and economic barriers Black women and girls face.

The Trailblazers Hall of Fame Awards is the first program that highlights Black Women leaders from various parts of California. Honorees will receive an award and a bejeweled crown to represent their royalty and authority, said Todd Griffin.

Cedric “The Entertainer” and his wife Lorna Kyles, event co-chairs, will kick off the show. In addition, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, and other dignitaries will attend the ceremony.

The evening will consist of three segments: A VIP Reception where more than 32 women will be recognized; an Awards Ceremony that will honor more than 38 Legacy Trailblazers and include top entertainment; and an Afterparty with acclaimed deejays, dancing, signature drinks and hors d’oeuvres. For tickets, visit TrailblazerHallofFame.eventbrite.com.

Honorees are from multiple disciplines ranging from advocacy, corporate and civil rights to legal, entertainment and labor. They have all significantly impacted and improved the lives of Black Women and Girls throughout the state.

Inaugural events were held in 2022 in both Northern and Southern California and honored 100 women, including individuals such as Bass, U.S. Congressmember Maxine Waters (D-CA-43); Tia Orr, Executive Director, SEIU California; Crystal Crawford, Executive Director of the Western Center on Law and Poverty; and Yolanda Richardson, CEO, San Francisco Health Plan. This year’s event will combine both regions.

The California Trailblazers Hall of Fame Awards Celebration supports the work of the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute which focuses on improving the lives of Black Women and Girls by uplifting their voices and the issues that impact them. CABWCEI has three core programs – The CA Black Women’s Think Tank, Conversations for Black Women and Protect Black Women and Girls.

2024 CA Black Women’s Trailblazer Hall of Fame Awardees include:

Advocacy Erica L. Manuel
Advocacy Dr. Medell Briggs-Malonson
Advocacy Mia McNulty, Ed.D, M.Ed., MPA
Advocacy Pamela Sparrow
Advocacy Shay Franco-Clausen
Business Celeste M. Alleyne
Business Daysha Underwood
Business Kellie Hawkins Davis
Business Pamela Bright-Moon
Business Sarah R. Harris
GenNow Dr. Autrilla “Sheba” Gillis
GenNow Bilen Mesfin-Packwood
GenNow Carissa Smith
GenNow Hon. Dr. Khaleah Bradshaw
GenNow Khea Pollard
GenNow Mae Gates
GenNow Molly Watson
Legacy Dr. Anna Malaika Tubbs
Legacy Arlan Hamilton
Legacy Azizza Davis Goines
Legacy Barbara J. Calhoun
Legacy Hon. Cheryl Brown
Legacy Hon. Cynthia Sterling
Legacy Hon. Dorothy “Dottie” Smith
Legacy Evette Ellis
Legacy Fran Jemmott
Legacy Glenda Gill
Legacy Hon. Heather Hutt
Legacy Ingrid H. Hutt
Legacy Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker
Legacy Kameale Terry
Legacy Dr. Karen D. Lincoln
Legacy Kendra Lewis
Legacy Kim Carter-Tillman
Legacy Kimberly A. Washington
Legacy Dr. Krishauna Hines-Gaither
Legacy LaNiece Jones
Legacy Latressa Wilson Alford, JD
Legacy Hon. Lori Wilson
Legacy Hon. Mia Bonta
Legacy Nolice Edwards
Legacy Regina Lawless
Legacy Renata Simril
Legacy Sandi Cook
Legacy Sandra O. Poole
Legacy Shawn Ray White
Legacy Hon. Dr. Shirley Weber
Legacy Tamala Lewis
Legacy Tammy Tumbling
Legacy Tanya Hart
Legacy Hon. Tina McKinnor
Legacy Hon. Yasmine Imani McMorrin
Legacy Yolanda “Cookie” Parker
Legacy Yvonne Wheeler
Legacy Hon. Dr. Akilah Weber
Philanthropy/

Community

Abena Bradford
Philanthropy/

Community

Darlene Futrel
Philanthropy/

Community

Dawn L. Brown
Philanthropy/

Community

Ellen Nash
Philanthropy/

Community

Jennifer Powers
Philanthropy/

Community

Kimberly Ellis
Philanthropy/

Community

Latasha Thompson
Philanthropy/ Community Shameka Beaugard, MSW
Philanthropy/

Community

Tavia Jenkins
Philanthropy/

Community

Tia Delaney-Stewart
Philanthropy/

Community

Tresla Gilbreath
Political/

Government

Hon. Katrina Manning
Political/

Government

Hon. Dr. Gethsemane Moss
Political/

Government

Dr. Nkiruka Catherine Ohaegbu
Political/

Government

Hon. Wanda L. Williams

 

For more information, visit www.CABlackWomensCollective.org.

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