Foundation Honors Kwanza Spirit

Its name comes from the Swahili word for “the spirit of giving,” and with that enthusiasm the Kwanza Foundation honored producer Suzanne de Passe at dinner Friday at the Radisson Bel-Air Summit Hotel.

In honoring de Passe, the non-profit organization--formed by African-American women in the entertainment industry in 1973--honored one of their own. De Passe, president of Gordy/de Passe Productions and executive producer of the “Lonesome Dove” mini-series, is one of the few African-American women who are real powers in show business.

“Suzanne has moved herself into a position of being a successful producer,” said chairwoman Cyndi James Gossett. “It’s extraordinary for a black woman to have accomplished that. And along the way she’s helped a lot of people by supporting and expanding their careers.”

De Passe was overcome with emotion at the recognition. “I’m so used to being behind the scenes,” she said. “I’m not used to being the object of attention. I’m afraid I’m beginning to like it.”

Aside from being the honoree, she attracted attention by arriving in a spectacular shimmering gold dress. “Over the years I collected all the sequins that popped off Diane Ross’ gowns,” joked de Passe, who had been an executive at Motown. “I just whipped this up out of them.”

De Passe shared the spotlight with Dr. Xylina Bean, executive director of SHIELDS (Sisters Helping Individuals Towards Empowerment, Love, Development and Strength). Bean received the organization’s Community Service Award for establishing non-residential drug-treatment programs for poor women. Part of her work focuses on helping female drug addicts retain custody of their children as they receive therapy.

“A woman like Dr. Bean goes unnoticed without this kind of exposure,” Kwanza president Beverly Todd said. “This is the kind of person who not only needs but deserves help so she can keep doing her life-saving work.”

Funds from the dinner, expected to be around $70,000, will support two local charities--the Jenesse Center for Victims of Domestic Violence and the Helping Hand for Boys Home, an intervention program for young African-American students.

On hand for the event were 425 guests who filled a tent set behind the hotel. Among them were Lou Gossett Jr., Wesley Snipes, Norm Nixon and Debbie Allen, Denise Nicholas, Jayne Kennedy, Mary Wilson, Nichelle Nichols, Danny Bakewell, state Sen. Diane Watson and Councilman Nate Holden.

Tommy Davidson and Holly Robinson acted as co-hosts for the evening, which also included the presentation of the Malik Smith Scholarship Award to Rachelle Garris.

Performing were comedians Roxanne Reese and Paul Mooney, as well as singer Jennifer Lewis.

The Kwanza Foundation’s spirit was summed up by member Ella Reid, who gave credit to the work of other charities as well. “We’re all trying to go to the same good,” said Reid. “It’s like religions. We’re all trying to reach the same destination.”