*On March 29, 2026, the Beverly Wilshire Hotel hosted something rare: a Hollywood gala where the brightest stars showed up not for a movie premiere, but for seniors.
The 2nd Annual Cynthia F. Blaizes (CFB) Foundation Heart of Gold Awards Gala brought together icons like Lynn Whitfield, Martin Lawrence, Ben Vereen, Garrett Morris, and Judge Mablean Ephriam to champion a cause that affects every family: aging with dignity and combating isolation among older adults.
Hosted by Actress/Comedian Kym Whitley and Actor Miguel A. Núñez Jr., the evening was equal parts celebration and call to action. The message was clear: seniors deserve to be seen, heard, and never left alone.
Hollywood Legends Honored for Legacy and Advocacy
The Heart of Gold Gala seniors’ advocacy movement recognized five distinguished honorees whose careers and community work embody compassion across generations.
Ben Vereen received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Tony Award-winning performer could not attend in person, but his daughter Kabara Vereen accepted with heartfelt remarks, followed by a moving video message from Vereen himself. He emphasized that honoring seniors means preserving the legacy.
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Lynn Whitfield took home the Heart of Gold Trailblazer Award, presented by none other than Martin Lawrence. The award-winning actress was recognized for her enduring career and influence across generations.
Judge Mablean Ephriam, founder of the Mablean Ephriam Foundation and star of Justice with Judge Mablean, received the Legacy of Distinction Award for her advocacy supporting families, seniors, and underserved communities.
Garrett Morris, the groundbreaking comedian and Hollywood Walk of Fame honoree, was awarded the Pioneer Award. His longtime friend and Cooley High co-star Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs accepted on his behalf.
Clara Chiu-Torres, former AARP executive and Vice President of Development at Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), received the Aging Ally Award. Presented by AARP Vice President Daphne Kwok, the award recognized Chiu-Torres’ decades of work uplifting underserved older adults.
A Star-Studded Room with a Purpose
The celebrity attendance went far beyond the honorees. Grammy-nominated R&B artist Kenny Lattimore, actress Tamala Jones (Castle, Ordinary Angels), comedian Michael Colyar, celebrity designers Pol’ Atteu and Patrik Simpson, Tangi Miller (Felicity, The Wood), TV personality Kalen Allen, and author Athena Vas all walked the carpet in support.
Musical performances elevated the evening even further. MAJOR (known for platinum hit “Why I Love You”), CeCe Peniston (“Finally”), Freda Payne (“Band of Gold”), Thea Austin (“Rhythm Is a Dancer”), Elaine Gibbs, former Ladies of the Supremes Scherrie Payne, Lynda Laurence with Joyce Vincent, and Nigerian-born classical singer Abiodun Koya delivered unforgettable sets.
Every performance reinforced the gala’s core message: connection across generations is not optional – it is essential.
The Personal Story That Started a Movement
The most emotional moment of the night came from CFB Foundation Co-Founder and President Julian L. Bannister. He shared the memory that launched the foundation’s mission.
“I walked into a room of seniors and saw my grandmother sitting quietly. There were many others who had no visitors, no phone calls, and no one checking on them,” Bannister said. “That moment stayed with me. We all have grandparents, parents, neighbors who shaped our lives. How do we not make them a priority?”
He continued, “When I think about what senior citizens go through in America – being scammed, abused, not heard, not listened to, not paid attention to, not understood – it makes me emotional.”
The room fell silent. Then applause swelled.
‘No Senior… Alone’ – A Unified Pledge
CFB Foundation Co-Founder Yannick Jules-Bannister reinforced the call to action: “There has never been a movement in history without people becoming doers. There is strength in numbers. There is influence. There is an impact. There is the ability to ensure no senior ever feels lonely again.”
The audience responded with a unified pledge: No Senior… Alone!
The foundation’s Senior Support Movement focuses on reducing loneliness and isolation, memory enrichment programming, caregiver advocacy, community engagement, and intergenerational connection.
How You Can Help
The Cynthia F. Blaizes Foundation celebrates senior citizens and ensures that elders leave meaningful legacies for generations to come.
To support the Senior Support Movement, visit www.cfbfoundation.org or email [email protected].
As Lynn Whitfield, Martin Lawrence, and so many others proved on that Beverly Hills stage – when Hollywood shows up for seniors, the world pays attention. Now it is our turn to act.
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