*Groundbreaking photojournalist Bill Jones will receive the Historian Award at the upcoming Black Business Association’s (BBA) 45th Anniversary Year Dinner, held in recognition of African American History Month and in celebration of this year’s theme “A Century of Black Life, History and Culture.”
The gala set for Saturday, February 28 at the L.A. Hotel, downtown Los Angeles. will honor decades of contributions made by African American history makers such as Jones and other businesses, institutions, organizations and individuals.
The year was 1978, a time when celebrity African American freelance photographers were few and far between, when Jones became the first African American photojournalist to receive an invitation from the Academy of Motion Pictures of Arts and Sciences to cover its ceremony as an official member of the press. It was a breakthrough moment.
Over the course of his 50 year career, Jones has become one of the most published photojournalist in the nation and has photographed countless African American entertainers, athletes, political figures, social activist and entrepreneurs. His images provide the public with a rare look into the lives of some of the country’s most influential people. Many of these photographs are part of Jones’ book, Hollywood in Black: 40 years of Photographs by Bill Jones.
In addition to Jones, the BBA’S 45th Anniversary Year Dinner and Salute to African American History Month will honor the contributions of: Reverend James Lawson – Lifetime Achievement Award, The Los Angeles Sentinel – Institution Pioneer Award; 27th Street Bakery – Business Pioneer Award; Consolidated Board of Realtist of Southern California – Organization Pioneer Award; and Former Los Angeles City Councilman, Journalist and Original Freedom Rider, Robert Farrell – Freedom Rider Award. Additional honorees will be announced at the gala.
“For the past forty-five years the BBA, has served as an ally for Black entrepreneurs who not only followed in the footsteps of those pioneers but blazed new trails for coming generations. On this night we are honored to recognize the achievements of businesses and individuals who rightfully take their place in the annals of African American history as empowering contributors to our economic and cultural development,” notes Earl “Skip” Cooper, the BBA’s President/CEO.
“The honorees have demonstrated a commitment and understanding of how working toward the economic interest of building a better community is what makes African American History and their place in it, significant,” he added.
The BBA, headquartered in Los Angeles and the oldest African American business organization in California, has been instrumental in the incubation and development of thousands of African American-owned businesses, assisting them in moving up the entrepreneurship ladder of success and in turn, creating a countless number of jobs in urban and underserved communities. Founded in 1970, its mission is to advocate for and advance the development and growth of African American owned businesses.
For tax-deductible ticket information on the BBA 45th Anniversary Year Dinner and its salute to African American History Month: A Century of Black Life, History & Culture” visit www.BBALA.org or call 323-291-9334.
source:
Foxx Media Group LLC
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