As a long-time admirer and supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, attending their annual “The Big Night Out” Gala was truly an inspiring experience. The room was filled with powerful women who are not just breaking barriers, but shattering them – much like the trailblazing Debra Lee.
Last Thursday evening, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles held their yearly grand event at the renowned International Ballroom within the Beverly Hilton hotel.
As a gamer, I recently attended an extraordinary event called “The Big Night Out” Gala. This special occasion recognized mentors from BBBSLA, specifically shining a light on their Women In Entertainment Mentorship Program. This program, a collaborative effort between BBBSLA and The Hollywood Reporter, aims to connect high-ranking female entertainment executives with junior girls from underprivileged communities in greater Los Angeles, providing them with mentorship opportunities within the entertainment industry.
For Debra Lee, mentorship holds great significance. She was brought up with the belief that if you achieve something, it’s your responsibility to help others in return. Her chosen method for paying this debt forward has always been by assisting others in their advancement.” (former BET CEO Debra Lee, shortly before receiving her Defender of Potential award from THR)
The night’s celebrations kicked off when renowned film producer Stacey Sher, known for movies such as Erin Brockovich, Django Unchained, and Pulp Fiction, gave a heartfelt speech honoring her “adopted sister” Pamela Abdy. This was in appreciation of Abdy’s consistent help and advice to young women in the media industry. The speeches of the evening, centered around family and mentorship, saw Sher tracing a connection between herself and Abdy, who had once been an intern at Jersey Films, and her ex-boss, the iconic former CEO of Paramount Pictures, Sherry Lansing.
At the Sherry Lansing Award ceremony, I resonated deeply with Sher’s emphasis on preserving a legacy of powerful women in our industry across generations. “Stacey is bold, compassionate, and selfless,” I shared, “and we have journeyed through various milestones together – from film production to parenthood.
Afterward, she commended Lansing, sparking hearty cheers from the audience. “Sherry often reminded us that it’s simple to support others during successes, but true character shines through in the setbacks,” Abdy added, reflecting on their time together at Paramount. “Mistakes don’t define you, and they certainly don’t determine your fate.
She ended her speech by revealing an upcoming partnership: BBBSLA and Warner Bros. Discovery are teaming up to initiate a pilot mentorship program slated for the 2025 spring semester. This program aims to establish career opportunities for Los Angeles youth by linking high school students with entertainment industry professionals as mentors.
With one Warner Bros. CEO departing from the platform, another took his place. Channing Dungey, head of Warner Bros. Television Studios and the first African-American president of a significant broadcast television network, presented the Shield of Potential award to Lee. She acknowledged that her own accomplishments and role in the entertainment industry were shaped by Lee’s groundbreaking strides.
When Lee took on that position, she didn’t merely breach boundaries; instead, she pulverized them, according to Dungey. Over her more than decade-long stint at BET, she laid the foundation for upcoming generations of women of color in media, with me among them, demonstrating that leadership and exceptional performance cannot be confined by conventional boundaries.
Beyond her individual achievements, Lee additionally established Leading Women Defined, an organization geared towards empowering Black female executives. This platform serves not just as a networking hub but also offers mutual support during professional challenges encountered in our careers. Furthermore, Lee co-founded The Monarchs Collective, with the main goal of diversifying boardrooms.
The ex-CEO maintains her belief in the entertainment industry, even amidst its hurdles over the past few years. She explained, “I continue to adhere to the ancient wisdom that says one should make bitter pills easier to swallow or learning more enjoyable through entertainment.
Michael D. Carter, a judge at the Los Angeles Superior Court, was similarly recognized with the Legacy Impact Award, in appreciation for his three decades of dedication to BBBSLA.
The primary goal of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles is to offer one-on-one support for underprivileged and at-risk children, providing them with beneficial mentorship and guidance through a dedicated program. Their recent “The Big Night Out” gala successfully raised more than half a million dollars for this noble cause.
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2024-10-12 02:58