The Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC) will commemorate 31 years of celebrating individuals, small businesses, and corporations that have contributed to the economic advancement of the African American business community.
The GLAAACC 31st Economic Awards Dinner will take place at the JW Marriott Los Angeles Live on Thursday, April 17. This annual gala has become a premier event recognizing trailblazers who drive economic growth and foster opportunity.
Throughout the evening, awards will be presented in categories such as African American Business of the Year, Banking and Financial Institution of the Year, Public Service, Purchasing Executive, Construction Company of the Year, Small Business Advocate, Public Works Contractor of the Year and Corporation of the Year.
“GLAAACC’s Economic Annual Awards Dinner is more than an event, it’s an annual opportunity to network and meet face-to-face with top executives from a variety of industries,” said GLAAAC Chairman Gene Hale. “If business owners only attend one event per year, this is it.”
The catalyst for GLAAACC’s Economic Awards Dinner stemmed from the lack of recognition for Black business owners and the companies and policymakers that contributed to their success. For over 30 years, the dinner gala has filled that void in one exclusive black-tie networking event.
The Awards Dinner has had many distinguished guests and keynote speakers from a variety of industries such as presidential appointees, elected officials, executives from private and public sectors and sports.
Notable keynote speakers include Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, California Governor Gray Davis, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, former L.A. Laker superstar star Earvin “Magic” Johnson, U.S. Small Business Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Manufacturing and Services Nicole Y. Lamb-Hale, and L.A. Clipper’s owner Steve Ballmer.
Mistress and masters of ceremonies have greatly contributed to the stature of the GLAAACC’s Economic Awards Dinner. The legendary defense attorney Johnnie Cochran was the first master of ceremonies. Actresses Dawn Lewis (“A Different World,” “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper”), Vivica A. Fox (“Independence Day,” “Soul Food,” “Set it off”), Terri J. Vaughn (“Steve Harvey Show,” “All of Us”), actor and comedian Flex Alexander (“Uptown Comedy Club,” “Girlfriends”), KABC7 Anchor Mark Brown and Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson are a few of the professionals that added star power and prestige to the gala while keeping the audience entertained and the evening running smoothly.
“Every year, we are proud to gather the business community and recognize exceptional individuals and corporations who have gone above and beyond in providing resources, assistance, and a pathway to prosperity for thousands of small, Black-owned businesses,” said Chairman Hale.
For ticket information for GLAAACC’s 31st Economic Annual Awards Dinner, visit GLAAACC.org/awards-dinner or call (323) 292-1297.