Honorary and General Chair
Yvonne Wheeler
Yvonne Wheeler's journey is a powerful testament to breaking barriers and fighting for justice. From marching for civil rights as a high school student in segregated Louisiana to becoming the first Black woman President of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, she has never backed down from challenging inequality. When she witnessed racial discrimination as a telephone operator, she stood up and fought back. When she saw too few African Americans in labor leadership, she created training programs to mentor the next generation. Through decades of fearless advocacy, Wheeler has transformed the landscape of labor rights while opening doors for others to follow.
Her impact extends beyond the labor movement, serving as a bridge between workers' rights and civil rights. As president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, she mobilized communities to defeat anti-labor legislation and developed programs to ensure African Americans had pathways to leadership roles. Her work with major organizations like the AFL-CIO, AFSCME, and AFGE has championed the rights of working families across the nation, while her mentorship has created a lasting legacy of empowered leaders.
Today, as she takes on the role of Honorary and General Chair for the 75th Anniversary African American Heritage Month City Wide Celebration in 2025, Wheeler continues to unite communities and celebrate the rich legacy of African American achievement. Serving as First Executive Vice President of the California Federation of Labor and Vice Chair of the California Democratic Party Labor Caucus, she demonstrates that leadership means not just breaking through glass ceilings, but ensuring others have the tools to follow. As a leader, mother, and grandmother, she proves that one person's courage and dedication can create lasting change for working families and communities, while honoring the heritage that helped shape her remarkable journey.
Special 75th Diamond OASC City-Wide Celebration Award
Mary Louise Reeves
Mary Louise Reeves Centenarian Legacy Builder, Educational Pioneer and Community Pillar
A Life of Purpose: Linking Los Angeles to Our Authors Study Club
Born on a summer day in 1922 in Marshall, Texas, Mary Louise entered the world with an extraordinary spirit that would define her remarkable journey. Her birth, attended by a midwife, marked the beginning of a life characterized by determination, intellectual brilliance, and unwavering service to others.
From her earliest years, Mary Louise demonstrated exceptional academic prowess. Breaking barriers and defying expectations, she graduated high school at just 15 years old—an achievement that spoke not only to her remarkable intelligence but to her fierce determination. By 19, she had earned her degree from Bishop College, stepping into her first teaching position in a rural school where some of her students were older than their young instructor. This early experience would prove to be just the beginning of her lifelong commitment to education and community service.
At 20, with courage and ambition in her heart, Mary Louise embarked on a new chapter, moving to Los Angeles to forge her destiny. Starting at the Post Office, she soon pursued her true calling in education, earning her teaching credentials and joining the Los Angeles Unified School District. For three decades, she shaped young minds and futures, while simultaneously fighting for teachers' rights as a pioneering member of UTLA (United Teachers Los Angeles). In those early days, when the union had neither money nor power, Mary Louise stood at the forefront of change, helping organize the first teachers' strike—a testament to her commitment to not just education, but to justice and fair treatment for educators.
Her dedication to public service extended far beyond the classroom. For over four decades, Mary Louise served as an Angelina docent in the Los Angeles Mayor's Office, beginning her service under the honorable Tom Bradley, who affectionately nicknamed his dedicated docents the "Yellow Brick Roaders of City Hall." In this role, she helped countless visitors navigate and understand the historic corridors of Los Angeles City Hall, sharing its rich history and significance with generations of citizens. This remarkable commitment to civic engagement demonstrated her deep belief in the power of community service and her dedication to making Los Angeles a better place for all its citizens.
Faith has been the cornerstone of Mary Louise's life since childhood. Joining the church at age 8, she has remained a pillar of spiritual strength and service in her community. Her spiritual journey led her to Park Hills Community Church in 1990, where she continued to nurture her faith and serve others. Her commitment to education and African American history and culture has extended far beyond the classroom through her dedicated service to Our Authors Study Club and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), organizations where she has worked tirelessly to preserve and promote African American heritage and literary achievements.
Now at 101 years old, Mary Louise continues to be a beacon of strength and inspiration, remaining active and engaged in her community. Her remarkable vitality and ongoing dedication to service demonstrate that age is truly just a number when one has purpose and passion.
As a mother of three daughters (one of whom she sadly lost), grandmother of four, and great-grandmother of seven, Mary Louise has created a legacy of love, strength, and service that spans generations. Her story is not just one of personal achievement, but of lifting others up along the way—whether they were her students, fellow teachers, community members, or family.
Mary Louise's life stands as a testament to the power of education, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to service. From her precocious academic achievements to her decades of teaching, from her brave union organizing to her faithful community service, she has demonstrated that one person, armed with determination and compassion, can touch countless lives and help build a better world.
A woman of deep faith since childhood, Mary Louise has been a pillar of spiritual strength at Park Hills Community Church since 1990. Her dedication to education and African American history flourished through her work with Our Authors Study Club and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).
Living Legend honorees
Richard Brooks
Pioneering Artist, Emmy-Nominated Actor
Richard Brooks stands as a transformative force in American entertainment whose four-decade career embodies the essence of a living legend through his pioneering achievements and lasting impact on representation in media. Breaking barriers as the youngest-ever student admitted to Circle in the Square Professional Theater School after his recognition as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts finalist at Interlochen, Brooks quickly established himself as a vital presence in New York theater.
His early collaboration with the legendary Negro Ensemble Company and his origination of Cory in August Wilson's seminal work Fences at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Conference helped catalyze a new era in American theater. This foundational role in Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle contributed to a revolutionary shift in how African American stories were presented on stage, paving the way for future generations of performers and playwrights.
Brooks' television career exemplifies the power of representation to shape cultural narratives. His groundbreaking six-year run as ADA Paul Robinette on Law & Order redefined possibilities for Black legal professionals in prime-time television, while his philosophical turn as Jubal Early in Firefly challenged traditional science fiction archetypes. His masterful portrayal of Frederick Douglass in PBS's The Abolitionists brought vital historical perspective to contemporary civil rights discussions, demonstrating the enduring relevance of his artistic choices.
In film, Brooks has consistently elevated projects that expand the boundaries of storytelling, particularly in Charles Burnett's landmark To Sleep with Anger, which explored the complexities of African American family life with unprecedented nuance. His return to stage work with the role of Harmond Wilks in August Wilson's Radio Golf at Yale Repertory Theatre helped complete Wilson's historic cycle, cementing Brooks' place in theater history as an artist who bookended this monumental achievement in American drama.
Beyond his performances, Brooks has dedicated himself to mentoring the next generation of artists through master classes and workshops nationwide. His influence can be seen in the growing diversity of roles and stories in contemporary media, and his continued presence on groundbreaking shows like Abbott Elementary and 9-1-1demonstrates his enduring impact. His back-to-back Daytime Emmy nominations for The Rich and the Ruthless underscore his sustained excellence, while his body of work—spanning over 100 television shows, numerous films, and landmark theatrical productions—stands as testimony to an artist who has not only entertained but elevated American culture. Richard Brooks' selection as a Living Legend would honor not just his artistic achievements, but his role as a catalyst for positive change in the entertainment industry.
George Weaver
The Brotherhood Crusade
Environmental Policy Innovator and Architect of Youth Hope
George Weaver embodies the transformative power of visionary leadership, having dedicated his life to revolutionizing youth development and community transformation. His remarkable journey began at UCLA, where his ambitious pursuit of medicine, theater, and baseball reflected the multifaceted approach he would later bring to changing young lives.
His pioneering work began with Legacy 2000, a groundbreaking holistic youth development program that would become the foundation for the nationally acclaimed Brotherhood Crusade Trauma-Informed Youth Development Mentoring Program—recognized as the best youth development program in the western United States by the National Criminal Justice Association. This early innovation demonstrated Weaver's extraordinary ability to understand and address the complex needs of young people and their communities.
After establishing himself as an environmental protection specialist with the Department of Defense, where he made significant contributions to national environmental safety standards, Weaver made a courageous decision to return to his true calling—youth development. His creation of an accelerated alternative education program proved transformative, successfully educating over 5,000 "difficult to reach" students in less than four years, definitively proving that all students can succeed when given the right opportunities and support.
As a recognized thought leader in adverse childhood experiences and trauma-informed care, Weaver has pioneered numerous groundbreaking initiatives through the Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade. His innovative programs, including the Brother to Brother: Male by Birth, Man by Choice Leadership Initiative and the Weaver Continuum of Youth Development, have redefined youth development approaches. His work culminated in the creation of comprehensive curricula that address trauma, transform attitudes, and create pathways to success for young people and their families in South Los Angeles.
George Weaver's selection as a Living Legend would honor not just his remarkable achievements, but his role as a catalyst for systemic change in youth development, education, and community transformation. His impact has been recognized with prestigious honors, including the 2014 James Irvine Leadership Award—often called the Nobel Prize for non-profit organizations—and his curriculum's recent adoption as an A-G in-school class by Inglewood Unified School District demonstrates how his innovative approaches continue to transform lives and institutions, creating lasting positive change for generations to come.
hall of fame honorees
Dr. Mike Davis
Dr. Mike Davis, President New Frontier Democratic Club – Hall of Fame Award – Government
Legislative Champion, Criminal Justice Reformer, and Guardian of Public Service
OASC 75th Diamond Award
Mike Davis stands as a transformative figure in California public service, whose pioneering leadership and unwavering commitment to community empowerment make him an ideal candidate for Hall of Fame recognition. His remarkable journey from academic excellence at UNC Charlotte and California State Universities to the highest levels of state and local leadership exemplifies the impact one dedicated individual can have on reshaping policy and empowering communities.
As an Assembly member representing the 48th District, Davis emerged as a powerful catalyst for change, most notably championing the successful reform of California's three strikes law through Proposition 36. His effectiveness in the legislature, recognized by the Sacramento Bee as one of the most loyal Democratic voters in 2011-2012, demonstrated his ability to build consensus while standing firm on principles. In his roles as vice chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus and chair of the Select Committee on Rail Transportation, he advanced both civil rights and infrastructure development, creating lasting impact across California.
Davis's early career as Senior Deputy Supervisor for Yvonne Brathwaite Burke and District Director for Congresswoman Maxine Waters established his reputation for effective leadership and community advocacy. Now, as President Pro Tem of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works Commission and president of the historic New Frontier Democratic Club—the largest and oldest Democratic Club in California—he continues to shape policy and empower communities. His leadership of the New Frontier Democratic Club carries forward its vital mission, begun in 1960, of fighting for political and economic empowerment.
Davis's legacy is defined not just by his positions held, but by his ability to create meaningful change through collaborative leadership and unwavering dedication to democratic values. His commitment to representing those who need it most, combined with his proven track record of policy achievement and community development, makes him a worthy inductee into the Hall of Fame, where his example can inspire future generations of public servants.
Lynell George
Hall of Fame Award – Literary
Cultural Chronicler, Grammy Award-Winning Writer, and Guardian of African American Narratives
Lynell George is a distinguished writer and cultural chronicler whose work has profoundly shaped the understanding of African American narratives. Her deep dive into Octavia Butler's life and work was recognized through the prestigious Huntington Library’s Alan Jutzi Fellowship in 2017. George's analysis illuminated Butler's contributions to literature and deepened understanding of the intersection of race, science fiction, and social change.
For over three decades, George has been a vital voice in Los Angeles. Her work shines a light on the people and places of L.A. that might otherwise go unnoticed in the glossy narratives of the city. She combines essays and photography to document a city in flux, capturing its fading sights and shifting landscapes while reminding readers of the cultural treasures worth preserving.
George's impact as a writer is marked by numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Liner Notes, the National Association of Black Journalists’ award for Hard Features, and multiple Los Angeles Press Club awards for Arts/Culture Features in 2019 and 2020. These honors reflect her skill in crafting compelling stories that celebrate African American culture and resilience.
George’s influence extends to academia as well. As an English professor at Loyola Marymount University (2009–2011), she shaped the next generation of writers by blending her experiences in journalism with her passion for storytelling.
Her dedication to African American narratives, her scholarly focus on Octavia Butler, and her ongoing contributions to the literary and journalistic worlds make Lynell George an invaluable chronicler of contemporary culture.
Dr. Darnell Hunt
Hall of Fame Award – Mass Media/History
UCLA's Bridge-Building Leader, Academic Innovator, and Media Diversity Champion
Darnell Hunt embodies the rare combination of groundbreaking scholar, visionary administrator, and transformative leader in both academia and media research. As the interim chancellor of UCLA and lead author of the influential Hollywood Diversity Report, Hunt has consistently pioneered efforts to advance diversity, equity, and social justice across multiple spheres of influence.
His scholarly impact began with his Cambridge University Press-published dissertation, "Screening the Los Angeles 'Riots,'" which offered unprecedented insights into how different racial groups interpret media representations. Through landmark works like "O.J. Simpson Facts and Fictions" and "Channeling Blackness: Studies on Television and Race in America," Hunt established himself as a leading voice in analyzing media's role in shaping social perceptions.
Since 2014, Hunt's annual Hollywood Diversity Report has transformed the entertainment industry's approach to inclusion, providing concrete evidence of the relationship between diversity and profitability. His research, commissioned by organizations like Color of Change, has led to tangible changes in industry hiring practices, including the adoption of the Rooney Rule in television writing rooms.
As a UCLA leader since 2001, Hunt has served in pivotal roles from department chair to dean of social sciences, and now as interim chancellor. His commitment to inclusive excellence has resulted in increased Black enrollment, diverse faculty recruitment, and the development of UCLA's ambitious five-year strategic plan. Following challenging campus events in spring 2024, Hunt demonstrated his leadership by developing comprehensive approaches to enhance campus safety and foster dialogue across UCLA's diverse community.
Hunt's academic journey—from earning his A.B. in journalism at USC, through his MBA at Georgetown, to his M.A. and Ph.D. in sociology at UCLA—has equipped him with a unique perspective on institutional transformation. His work has been recognized with numerous honors, including UCLA's Academic Senate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award, reflecting his lasting impact on both academic and cultural landscapes.
Through his roles as scholar, administrator, and change agent, Hunt continues to shape conversations about race, media, and social justice while guiding one of America's premier public universities toward a more inclusive future.
Cecily Myart-Cruz
Hall of Fame Award, President United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) – Labor
Pioneering Woman Education Leader and Labor Justice Champion
Cecily Myart-Cruz is a teacher, activist, and the first woman of color in UTLA’s history to serve as president of the union. She has shattered barriers and transformed educational leadership in Los Angeles. Her groundbreaking presidency represents not just a personal achievement, but a pivotal moment in advancing equity and representation in one of the nation's largest school districts.
Through 28 years of dedicated service in education, Myart-Cruz has demonstrated exceptional leadership, particularly during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her steadfast advocacy resulted in implementing the strongest health and safety measures of any major U.S. school district, protecting countless students, educators, and families in our most vulnerable communities. This achievement showcases her ability to lead with vision and conviction during critical moments of crisis.
Myart-Cruz's enduring legacy extends beyond crisis management through her creation of the Beyond Recovery Platform, an innovative blueprint for educational excellence that has become a model for school districts nationwide. By bringing together teachers, parents, and community partners, she has pioneered a collaborative approach to educational reform that centers the needs of historically underserved communities.
As Chair of the NEA Black Caucus, she has consistently championed initiatives that advance racial justice and educational equity, from expanding Ethnic Studies programs to ending the criminalization of youth. Her work has brought vital resources to schools, including pioneering mentoring programs for young girls of color, demonstrating her commitment to creating pathways for the next generation of leaders.
Cecily Myart-Cruz exemplifies the qualities we seek to honor in the African American Hall of Fame: groundbreaking leadership, unwavering dedication to community advancement, and the ability to create lasting positive change. Her induction celebrates not only her historic achievements but also her ongoing work to ensure every student has access to a quality education in a safe, just, and supportive learning environment.
Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith
Hall of Fame Award – Education
Visionary Medical Educator, Public Health Pioneer, and Architect of Healthcare Equity
Dean of Charles Drew University College of Medicine, Founding Dean CDU MD Program, Education
Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith's journey exemplifies how one person's vision can transform healthcare for generations. As Dean of Charles R. Drew University College of Medicine in Los Angeles, she leads a groundbreaking initiative to train diverse medical professionals who will serve communities often left behind by traditional healthcare systems.
Her path to becoming a pioneering force in medical education and public health began at Spelman College, followed by Harvard Medical School. A transformative moment came during her residency at a Boston hospital when a young Black patient she treated for stab wounds told her not to go to sleep – he planned to ensure his attacker would need medical attention later that night. This encounter sparked her revolutionary approach to urban violence as a public health crisis, leading to her groundbreaking book "Deadly Consequences," the first to frame violence as a public health issue.
Breaking barriers throughout her career, Dr. Prothrow-Stith became Massachusetts' first woman Commissioner of Public Health, managing 3,500 employees, eight hospitals, and a $350 million budget. At Harvard School of Public Health, she established the Division of Public Health Practice and served as Associate Dean for Diversity. Her commitment to global health led her to work in an AIDS clinic in Tanzania while her husband served as U.S. Ambassador.
In 2016, she embarked on perhaps her most ambitious mission yet – developing the newest medical school at a historically Black university west of the Mississippi. Under her leadership, Charles R. Drew University College of Medicine has become a beacon of hope for diversifying the medical profession. The school's mission resonates powerfully: more than 6,000 applicants compete for just 60 slots in each class, with the next cohort set to begin in July 2025.
Understanding that financial barriers often block talented students from medical careers, Dr. Prothrow-Stith has become a tireless fundraiser. Her efforts culminated in a historic $75 million donation from Bloomberg Philanthropies in 2024, marking a vote of confidence in the school's mission to address healthcare disparities.
With ten honorary doctorates and recognition as LA County's Woman of the Year for the 2nd District in 2017, Dr. Prothrow-Stith remains focused on her ultimate goal: creating lasting change in healthcare delivery to underserved communities. Through her leadership at Charles R. Drew University College of Medicine, she is building a legacy that will transform healthcare access and equity for generations to come, proving that with vision and determination, one person can indeed change the world.
Dr. Jessie L. Sherrod
Hall of Fame Award – Medicine
Healthcare Pioneer, Community Health Guardian, and Mentor to Generations
In the heart of the Mississippi Delta, a young girl's courage to fight for civil rights would foreshadow a lifetime dedicated to breaking barriers and uplifting communities. Dr. Jessie L. Sherrod's remarkable journey from teenage activist to pioneering physician embodies the power of purpose and perseverance in creating lasting change.
As a teenager in Hollandale, Mississippi, Jessie didn't just dream of change – she fought for it. Her early activism in civil and voting rights, including the brave act of integrating a café in the heart of the segregated Delta, earned her recognition as a Freedom Sister by the Ford Foundation. But this was just the beginning of her trail-blazing path.
Breaking ground as the first student from Tougaloo College to attend Harvard Medical School in 1971, Dr. Sherrod opened doors that would benefit generations to follow. Her success paved the way for approximately ten more Tougaloo pre-med students to walk through Harvard's prestigious halls. Yet her most profound impact would come in Los Angeles, where she would dedicate her career to serving those most in need.
When Martin Luther King Jr. Drew Medical Center faced closure, Dr. Sherrod made the selfless decision to leave her successful private practice in Infectious Disease to save this vital community hospital. Her innovative infection control model achieved the seemingly impossible – reducing infection rates by 50% in just one year and transforming the hospital's rating from its worst to its best score. As she often reflects, it was her way of giving back to the community with the skills she acquired through Affirmative Action.
In 1982, recognizing the need for support and mentorship among Black women in medicine, Dr. Sherrod founded the Association of Black Women Physicians (ABWP) of Los Angeles. Under her leadership, this organization has become a powerful force for change, providing over one million dollars in scholarships to more than 500 pre-med students over 42 years. Her vision of empowering Black women physicians to lead in community health and wellness continues to inspire new generations.
Even in retirement and facing health challenges, Dr. Sherrod's commitment to service remains undiminished. She freely shares her knowledge of traditional, Eastern, alternative, and functional medicine to help others facing similar health challenges. Her motto, "never fail to help someone in need if you can," continues to guide her work in mentoring aspiring physicians and educating communities about health and well-being.
Dr. Sherrod's numerous accolades – including the Jackie Robinson Trail Blazer Award, recognition as Woman of the Year by the California Legislature, and induction as the first African American in the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health Hall of Fame – speak to her extraordinary impact. Yet her greatest legacy lies in the countless lives she's touched through her work in public health, her advocacy for healthcare access, and her tireless efforts to increase diversity in medicine.
Her life reminds us that true success isn't measured by personal achievements alone, but by how many others we lift as we climb. As she emphasizes, we all have a purpose on earth – our task is to find it and use it to manifest good in the world. Dr. Jessie L. Sherrod's story isn't just about breaking barriers; it's about building bridges that allow others to cross into a future of greater possibility and promise.
Dr. Richard Allen Williams
Hall of Fame Award – Medicine/Renaissance
Pioneering Cardiologist, Healthcare Equity Advocate, and Cultural Innovator
From the segregated streets of Wilmington, Delaware, to the prestigious halls of Harvard, Dr. Richard Allen Williams' story exemplifies the power of determination and vision in breaking barriers. Born in an era of racial segregation, young Richard refused to let society's constraints define his future.
As a Black student in the 1940s and 50s, Williams faced the reality of segregated schools with limited resources. Spending countless hours at the Wilmington Public Library, he sought knowledge beyond what his school could provide. His dedication led to graduating at the top of his class from Howard High School, with College Board scores so exceptional that Harvard University offered him a full scholarship at age 16.
After graduating with honors from Harvard and earning his medical degree, Dr. Williams focused on transforming healthcare for communities of color. In 1974, at a time when African American cardiologists were rare, he founded the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC), an organization dedicated to addressing cardiovascular disease's disproportionate impact on African Americans. In 1985, he established the Minority Health Institute, focusing on cultural competency and healthcare equity education for medical professionals.
A multifaceted talent, Dr. Williams is also an accomplished musician. As a gifted trumpet player, he learned from jazz legend Clifford Brown and developed a close relationship with Miles Davis, who became both his mentor and patient. Through his band RAW Sugar, he has used music as a tool for raising awareness about health equity.
His contributions to medical literature include nine influential books, including the groundbreaking "Healthcare Disparities at the Crossroads with Healthcare Reform" (2011). Notably, two of his works have been preserved in the Smithsonian Institution's historical archives for their historical significance: the "Textbook of Black-Related Diseases" (1975) and "Blacks in Medicine" (2020). These works have fundamentally shaped the understanding of health disparities and cultural competency in medicine.
Dr. Williams' accomplishments have earned him numerous honors, including President Biden's Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. In 2024, his hometown of Wilmington plans to rename a street "Dr. Richard Allen Williams Way," symbolizing how determination and excellence can overcome societal barriers.
His legacy extends beyond personal achievements to the countless lives he's touched – from patients he's treated to generations of medical professionals he's inspired to fight for healthcare equity. Through the Minority Health Institute, he continues his mission of "Uplifting the Health of Humanity," proving that when we break through barriers, we create paths for generations to follow.