Locals raise money for education

The 14th annual Cotton Club West: Puttin’ on the Ritz gala came to

Orange County, sponsored by the Black Chamber of Commerce of Orange

County.

The Grove of Anaheim was the setting for nearly 1,000 guests --

including a significant contingent of Newport-Mesa civic, community

and social leaders -- who came together to raise nearly $30,000 for

the Black Chamber Education Fund.

Jerry Mandel, saxophonist and retiring president of the Orange

County Performing Arts Center, joined the UC Irvine Jazz Orchestra

and jazz great Ernie Andrews to entertain the crowd. The mistress of

ceremonies for the evening was Gayle Anderson from KTLA-TV.

This year, special honors were bestowed upon Mandel, Orange County

Sheriff Michael Carona, retired Cal State Los Angeles basketball

coach Dave Yanai, North Orange County Community College District

Chancellor Jerome Hunter, and cosmetologist and professor Brenda

White-Gatlin.

Mandel was given the Community Leadership Award for his extensive

local outreach efforts.

Bobby McDonald, president of the Black Chamber of Commerce, served

as host and awards presenter alongside Anderson.

The crowd enjoyed dinner and dancing, celebrating cultural and

racial diversity and excellence in Orange County.

For more information on the Black Chamber of Commerce of Orange

County, call (714) 547-2646.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.