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.
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