The Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Institute of Public Affairs at Cal State L.A held its 34th annual awards dinner Thursday night to celebrate social justice and recognize five honorees for their civic engagement efforts.
The gala, held at the elegant Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, was attended by current and former elected officials and civic leaders. They were greeted by Cal State L.A. President William A. Covino and Pat Brown Institute Executive Director Raphael J. Sonenshein.
The five honorees have worked to promote civic engagement and contribute to the strength and vibrancy of our communities. The honorees are:
- Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, chief justice of the State of California
- María Elena Durazo, national vice president for immigration, civil rights, and diversity at UNITE HERE!; president of the Miguel Contreras Foundation
- Sascha Rice, writer, director, producer, and Hilary Armstrong, executive producer, California State of Mind: The Legacy of Pat Brown
- Nate Kaplan, founder, SeePolitical.com
Among the elected officials who attended the event were State Senator Carol Liu, State Assembly Majority Floor Leader Chris Holden, Los Angeles City Attorney Michael Feuer, Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson, Jr. and Councilman Gil Cedillo, whose district includes neighborhoods served by the University. Also attending was former California State Treasurer Kathleen Brown, as well as other members of the Brown family.
The Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs is a presidentially chartered institute at Cal State L.A. The institute is dedicated to the quest for social justice and equality of opportunity, enlightened civic engagement, and an enhanced quality of life for all Californians.
The Institute is a non-partisan public policy center dedicated to sustaining the vision and legacy of former California Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown through convening public policy forums, engaging multi-sector stakeholders and diverse communities, and conducting timely policy research and community-driven initiatives.
Photo: From left to right, PBI Executive Director Raphael J. Sonenshein; María Elena Durazo, national vice president for immigration, civil rights, and diversity at UNITE HERE!; Hilary Armstrong, executive producer, California State of Mind; Nate Kaplan, founder, SeePolitical.com; Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, chief justice of the State of California; Sascha Rice, writer, director, producer, California State of Mind, and Cal State L.A. President William A. Covino. (Credit: David Ng)
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Cal State L.A. is a university dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good. Founded in 1947, the University serves over 24,000 active students, and 235,000 distinguished alumni, who are as diverse as the city we serve. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, Cal State L.A. has long been recognized as an engine of economic and social mobility. Led by an award-winning faculty, the University offers nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education and the humanities.
Cal State L.A. is home to the critically-acclaimed Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility, Billie Jean King Sports Complex, TV, Film and Media Center and the Center for Engagement, Service, and the Public Good. For more information, visit CalStateLA.edu, or like us at Facebook.com/CalStateLA.