The Brotherhood Crusade will honor Cathy Hughes, the founder and chairwoman of Radio/TV-One with the annual Walter Bremond Pioneer of African American Achievement award

For almost four decades, the Brotherhood Crusade has been a fixture in Southern California in general and in Los Angeles in particular. Every year, it has selected a prominent African American to pay tribute to that is commensurate with that individual’s work as it relates to the ideals of the Brotherhood Crusade. In the past, the annual Walter Bremond Pioneer of African Achievement award has been presented to a broad cross section of African American women and men who, through their outstanding achievements have earned this distinguished honor. This year, that honor will be bestowed on none other than Cathy Hughes, the founder and chairwoman of Radio/TV-One and the first African American woman to establish a publicly traded company in the United States.

Even though the festivities will be punctuated by accolades from all strata of society, the mission of the Brotherhood Crusade must be kept first and foremost throughout the evening. The path that transitioned the Brotherhood Crusade from a fledgling organization to a five-star institution is wrought with the dedication and commitment of ordinary women and men making extraordinary sacrifices to arrive at this night. So make no mistake about tonight’s activities, they are very special to the community and for the community.

The honoree, Cathy Hughes; the president, Charisse Bremond-Weaver; the chairman, Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. and the board of trustees are continuing in the tradition of Walter Bremond and the group of visionaries who saw the need almost forty years ago for a “Brotherhood Crusade funding source” and sought to fulfill that need.

The incomparable singing duo, Ashford and Simpson, promises to double the pleasure of the evening activities when they belt out tunes that remind the guests of their longevity in the music world and the staying power of their music. The flavor of the entertainment will add a profound significance and meaning to a fun-filled and memorable evening.

Today the community, and indeed the nation, is faced with tremendous obstacles that impact the inner cities, especially low-income communities, and the Brotherhood Crusade stand as a beacon of light in a time of darkness, ready to take the lead when the community is in need.

Ashford & Simpson to perform at award dinner

Being faced with a disproportionate share of the social, health, economic and welfare issues, the needs of underserved are monumental and the threat of depression is real, especially in the low-income communities. That is why the Brotherhood Crusade exists and does what it does to raise much-needed funds and provide financial sustenance wherever it is needed locally.

Honoring Cathy Hughes fosters another need: highlighting and co-mingling the youth, the famous and the unnamed, bringing them all together and uniting varying segments of the community. Those who have gone on to achieve greatness return to the community to share that greatness and good fortune through meaningful philanthropy and a lasting throb of humanity. The Brotherhood Crusade is the vehicle which makes this wonderful reunion possible.

The Brotherhood Crusade continues to ask for the community’s support through events like its annual awards dinner so that it may find new and creative way of bringing resources into the community. For the past two years, Bremond-Weaver has been at the helm, as the first female president of the institution and she continues to forge ahead, attracting news alliances, and opening new horizons so that the next forty years will be reflective of the past forty. All these things are being done through self-help, dignity and respect for all.

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