Darick Simpson, Terry Geiling, Jim and Liz Breslauer, Chief of Police Robert Luna and Assistance League representative Annette Kashiwabara. Standing in rear Dinner Co-Chair Walter Larkins. (Courtesy.)
The California Conference for Equality and Justice kicked off the celebration of its 53rd Humanitarian Awards dinner with a lovely cocktail hour, on the top floor of host Keesal, Young & Logan’s downtown offices with panoramic views of Long Beach at sunset.
The event, held on March 3, was relaxed and informal and brought together many past honorees and supporters of CCEJ. The 50 guests were greeted by the swinging sounds of saxophonist Brian Grace.
After CCEJ’s Board Chair Minnie Douglas welcomed the guests, she introduced executive director Wende Nichols-Julien, who thanked guests for their continued support for CCEJ and acknowledged the rich history of the organization.
Walter Larkins, dinner co-chair (with Julie), introduced the honorees: Humanitarian Award honorees: Liz and Jim Breslauer, Terry Geiling, plice chief Robert Luna, Darick Simpson.
The Building Bridges award was awarded to Assistance League Long Beach. The celebratory dinner will be held on May 25 at the Hyatt Regency.
Vice chair Development Drew Gagner launched the Building Bridges Legacy campaign inviting people to pledge toward the $150,000 goal to help support the group’s youth programs.
The California Conference for Equality and Justice is a human relations organization dedicated to confronting bias, bigotry and racism through education, conflict resolution and advocacy. For more information, please call 562-435-8184; or kmcilquham@cacej.org.
