SENIOR LEGACY RECOGNITION PROGRAM
Celebrating Lives. Preserving History. Honoring Legacy.
The OASC Senior Legacy Recognition Program is one of the signature initiatives of Our Authors Study Club of Los Angeles, Inc. (OASC). The program honors OASC members and community leaders 80 years of age and older whose lives, leadership, and service have enriched our communities and advanced the preservation of African American history, culture, and heritage.
The program combines public recognition, formal certificates and official commendations, legacy documentation and digital preservation, and Honorary Membership to celebrate the lives and lasting contributions of our senior members. By combining meaningful recognition with long-term legacy preservation, OASC honors its elders today while ensuring their stories continue to educate, inspire, and strengthen future generations.
Program Goals
The Senior Legacy Recognition Program is designed to:
- Honor and celebrate senior members and community leaders whose lives, leadership, and service have enriched OASC and the communities they have served.
- Preserve and document the stories, achievements, and organizational history of OASC and its members through oral histories, biographies, photographs, archival collections, and a permanent digital legacy archive.
- Educate and inspire present and future generations by sharing the lives, experiences, and accomplishments of our honorees through documentary shorts, digital exhibits, publications, and other educational resources.
- Strengthen lifelong connections between OASC and its senior members through continued recognition, engagement, and Honorary Membership.
Recognition Categories
Members are recognized at significant age milestones that celebrate both longevity and a lifetime of leadership, service, and contribution.
- Distinguished Seniors — 80–89 years
- Legacy Leaders — 90–99 years
- Centenarian Legacy Circle — 100 years and older
Members who join OASC after reaching one of these milestone ages may be recognized at the New Member Reception or during the annual OASC at the Bilbrew Members & Community Gathering. Thereafter, they will be recognized upon reaching the next milestone category.
To ensure recognitions are meaningful and appropriately timed, members who are within one year of reaching the next milestone may have their recognition deferred. The Executive Board may adjust the timing of a recognition when appropriate, taking into consideration upcoming milestone birthdays, special circumstances, and the overall intent of the program.
Program Features
The Senior Legacy Recognition Program honors eligible members through the following features:
1. Public Recognition Honorees are celebrated during OASC signature events, including the annual OASC at the Bilbrew Members & Community Gathering, where their lives, accomplishments, and contributions are shared with members, families, and the broader community.
2. Certificates & Official Commendations Honorees receive OASC Certificates of Recognition and, when appropriate, official commendations from local, county, state, and federal elected officials and governmental agencies.
3. Honorary Membership Beginning at 85 years of age, eligible OASC members may be designated as Honorary Members and receive a lifetime waiver of annual membership dues in recognition of their enduring service and contributions to OASC. Honorary Members remain connected to OASC through invitations to programs and special events, continued inclusion in the organization's historical records and legacy initiatives, and recognition as valued members of the OASC family.
4. Legacy Documentation & Digital Preservation OASC preserves each honoree's legacy by recording oral history interviews; developing biographies; collecting, digitizing, and preserving photographs, videos, memorabilia, artifacts, and historical documents; and sharing these materials through the OASC website, digital exhibits, documentary shorts, oral history excerpts, publications, and other educational resources. Together, these efforts create a permanent digital legacy archive that preserves each honoree's story and makes it accessible to families, students, researchers, and future generations.
Nominate a Senior Member
OASC welcomes inquiries from members, family members, friends, and the community regarding the Senior Legacy Recognition Program. To nominate an eligible OASC member, submit biographical information and supporting materials, or learn more about the program, please complete the OASC Senior Honoree Information Form.
Together, we preserve the stories, experiences, and legacies of those who have helped shape OASC, strengthen our communities, and enrich the African American experience for generations to come.