Event to Benefit Students from Watts and Inglewood

Los Angeles, CA –March 3, 2014: The “I Have a Dream” Foundation—Los Angeles (IHADLA) will honor entertainment icon LL COOL J, SVP, Drama Development, ABC Studios, Nne Ebong and attorney Thomas V. Girardi (represented in the film “Erin Brokovich”) with the Foundation’s Dream Keeper Awards at its annual Dreamer Dinner. The event will be emceed by Reba and Baby Daddy star, Melissa Peterman, and Gary Peyton and Donovan McNabb of Fox Sports Live on Fox Sports 1 will be honored guests. Disney/ABC Television Group President, Anne Sweeney, will also be a presenter. The event will be held in the Ahmanson Ballroom of The Skirball Cultural Center on Sunday, March 9th.

The evening will begin at 5pm with a VIP reception, press line, and silent auction, followed by dinner, a live show and special musical guest, Ejyptian Queen, granddaughters of the legendary Sam Cooke. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bobby Womack will introduce the group that comprises the trio of sisters.

“We are so excited about this year’s event,” said IHADLA Executive Director Katy Garretson. “Our three Honorees inspire hopes and dreams in others, and are truly role models for our Dreamers. Having the talented actress/comedienne Melissa Peterman as our host is just icing on the cake. With Ejyptian Queen, this year will be the most exciting IHADLA event ever!”

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ABOUT IHADLA
The “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles has been sponsoring students, “Dreamers,” throughout Los Angeles since 1987. The Foundation sponsors an entire grade at an inner-city, Title 1 elementary school, and stays with those students for over ten years, providing after-school and summer programs, academic and cultural enrichment, counseling services, arts instruction, mentors and tutors. Upon high school graduation, IHADLA then provides each Dreamer a last-dollar scholarship for college or career training.

There are currently four active IHADLA program sites: fourth graders in Watts, seventh and eighth graders in Inglewood, and high school seniors/college freshman in East Los Angeles. IHADLA also serves via alumni support and/or scholarships over 1,000 Dreamer Graduates.

Individual tickets for the Dreamer Dinner are $500, tables begin at $5,000. Press who cover the event will be admitted at no charge. For more information or to reserve seating, please contact IHADLA at (213) 572-0175.
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Media Contacts:
Rebekah Valencia
Communications Manager, IHADLA
T: (408) 710-9571
rebekah@ihadla.org