Last evening the Millennium Biltmore Hotel played host to the civil rights organization, National Action Network as they presented their annual ‘Rise Of The Phoenix Award’ to noted Angelenos. In attendance of the gala and receiving awards for were, Janice Bryant Howroyd, Chairman and CEO of the Act.1 Group, Judge Mablean Ephriam, Television Legal Analyst, Brad Johnson, Owner of Post & Beam Restaurant, Bishop Noel Jones, Pastor, City of Refuge Church, John Daniel Singleton, Screenwriter, Producer and Director, and Antonia Villaraigosa, 41st Mayor of the City of Los Angeles.

The National Action Network was founded in 1991 and has chapters throughout the nation. The Los Angeles chapter is lead by Rev. K.W. Tulloss, National Action Network, Western Regional Director. The mission of the famed civil rights organization is to work extensively to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes one standard of decency for all people regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, sexual preference or gender, social justice for all communities, and improvement of race relations.

Civil Rights Icon, Rev. Al Sharpton, who founded the National Action Network expressed his pleasure in the award presentation and the need to celebrate those persons who continue to lead and impact Los Angeles and the nation through their social justice and humanitarian effort.

“I think the Phoenix Awards are very important. I think what we’re trying to say is that the struggle must continue as we are still facing some of the same questions of policing, voting rights that we faced 50 years ago. This year we observe the Watts Rebellion 50 years ago, Voting Rights Act, 50 years ago, but there are some that have succeeded and broke through and we are honoring them tonight. What Rev. Tulloss and the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Action Network, has done is continue to the struggle and make sure that they give due credit and due homage to those in those 50 years that refuse to let the circumstance defeat them.”

(Rev. Al Sharpton appears with Michael Reel, Founder, ReelUrbanNews.com and Rev. K.W. Tulloss, NAN, Los Angeles)

Photo Credit: Otis Mitchell/ReelUrbanImages