NAACP to Give Awards at Freedom Fund Dinner

From pastor Cecil Murray to computer mogul Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda, a diverse group of individuals will be honored tonight by the Los Angeles NAACP at its annual Freedom Fund Dinner.

Others who will be recognized for their service or accomplishments include: Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-Carson); retired Brig. Gen. Celes King, III, president and founder of the Congress of Racial Equality; Maggie Hathaway, golfer; attorney Leon Jenkins, chairman of the Los Angeles NAACP legal redress committee and Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard C. Parks.

“These are people who have made outstanding contributions to the community,” said Los Angeles NAACP President Geraldine Washington. She said many of the honorees are being recognized for a lifetime of public service, while others, such as Millender-McDonald, are being touted as leaders in the coming millennium.

About 350 guests are expected to attend the sold-out benefit at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel.