Natalie Cole was honored and more than...

Natalie Cole was honored and more than $2 million was raised at the Los Angeles Urban League’s 26th annual Whitney M. Young Award Dinner held April 15 at the Century Plaza Hotel. More than 1,700 attended the dinner. Cole was recognized for her accomplishments in promoting understanding across racial, economic, cultural, gender and religious lines. The evening, themed “Unforgettable,” featured a performance by Ray Charles, including his rendition of “Georgia on My Mind,” and an announcement by the Ron Burkle Foundation that it was making a $1-million donation. Last year’s honoree, Yoshio Ishizaka, who is president and chief executive of Toyota Motor Sales, presented the award to Cole along with John Mack, president of the Los Angeles Urban League. KTLA broadcaster Larry McCormick emceed and James W. Callaway, president of Pacific Telesis, was dinner chairman. The late Whitney M. Young Jr., executive director of the National Urban League from 1961 to 1971, was a civil rights leader known as the “Voice of the voiceless, hope for the hopeless and power for the powerless.” The funds raised will be used for Urban League education, literacy, job placement, job training and minority business development programs in L.A. County.

* UCLA awarded Phoenix Pictures Chairman and Chief Executive Mike Medavoy with the 1999 Jacoby International Award for his contributions to humanity and commitment to enhancing international understanding at an April 15 gala. More than $215,000 was raised at the event, held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel to benefit the programs and services of the Dashew International Student Center, which provides educational, cultural and academic programs and services to UCLA’s international community. The award was presented by UCLA Chancellor Albert Carnesale. More than 400 guests attended the event, emceed by “Access Hollywood” co-host Pat O’Brien. Medavoy is a member of the UCLA Foundation and the dean’s advisory board at the School of Theater, Film and Television, chairman of the Leadership Circle for UCLA’s Center for International Relations, co-chairman of the American Cinematheque and one of the founding members of the Sundance Institute’s board of governors.

* More than 400 people attended People Assisting the Homeless’ April 16 luncheon, “15 Years of Miracles,” at the Century Plaza Hotel, raising nearly $75,000. Participating in the program were CNN’s Larry King, comedian Jeff Foxworthy and his wife, Gregg, soap star Deidre Hall and actress Tyne Daly. Also attending the event were Pat Boone, Rafer Johnson, Kurtwood Smith, Ken Kragen and Cathy Worthington, Ava and Chuck Fries and Dennis and Brooks Holt. PATH serves the homeless in West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South-Central Los Angeles, West Hollywood and Hollywood by helping them find work, save money and obtain housing.

* Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, critic, poet and essayist John Updike received the Los Angeles Public Library Literary Award and a $10,000 check at the Library Foundation of Los Angeles’ fourth annual awards dinner April 14. More than $200,000 was raised for the library’s programs and services at the dinner, attended by 250 guests and held at the Central Library in downtown L.A. Screenwriter Gary Ross (“Big,” “Dave,” “Pleasantville”) received the Light of Learning Award for his leadership in promoting libraries. Ross, who also directed “Pleasantville,” recently donated proceeds from the film’s premiere to Teen’Scape, the Central Library’s department for teenagers. Ilona Smith, GTE California’s vice president for public affairs, accepted the Corporate Philanthropy Award on behalf of GTE.

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