Brotherhood Crusade Celebrates 45 years of sowing seeds and growing a strong community
October 31, 2013
LAWT News Service
What time is it? It’s time to party with Morris Day & the Time at the Brotherhood Crusade’s annual gala on Nov. 1 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Funk icons Morris Day & the Time will headline the celebration marking the 45th anniversary of the Brotherhood Crusade, the oldest philanthropic and social services agency in South Los Angeles. The man who put the “C” in “cool” will bring the funk and fun with oldies like, “What Time is it?” and “Cool.”
“Our galas are always fun,” said Charisse Bremond Weaver, president/CEO of the Brotherhood Crusade. “The issues we tackle are serious, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a good time.”
The Brotherhood Crusade’s annual gala is not to be missed. Each year the fundraiser attracts nearly a thousand celebrants: celebrities, elected officials, community leaders, and other supporters. Guests will learn about the many ways the organization helps improve the lives of residents in South Los Angeles.
The theme of the evening is “The Gift of Leadership.” The Brotherhood Crusade will present the Bremond Bakewell award to Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas for his decades of innovative leadership in Los Angeles.
“The Brotherhood Crusade’s role in bettering our community and improving lives is well-documented, and to be honored by such an organization leaves me with a sense of deep satisfaction,” said Ridley-Thomas.
The Brotherhood Crusade provides financial support to more than 100 charitable organizations in Southern California. It serves more than 100,000 residents annually through direct services and special projects, including programs to assist the homeless, employment readiness services, health screenings, and youth development programs.
Such work has earned the Brotherhood Crusade several commendations and awards. The Brotherhood Crusade is a finalist for a 2014 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award. State Farm Insurance and Major League Baseball recently honored the Brotherhood Crusade with a Go To Bat Award in a ceremony at Dodger Field.
Community activist Walter Bremond founded the Brotherhood Crusade in 1968, in the turbulent years that followed the Watts Riots. He provided seed money by mortgaging his home for $15,000. Self-help remains a guiding principle of the organization.
“If we’re not willing to provide financial support to our own people, how do we expect anyone else to provide support?” said Bremond Weaver, who is the daughter of the founder.
In 2006, Bremond Weaver took the helm of the Brotherhood Crusade, from Danny Bakewell, who built the organization and served as its leader for 35 years. Bremond Weaver expanded Brotherhood’s work, especially with youth in South Los Angeles.
“At Brotherhood we know they are our brightest shining stars, and when you give young people opportunities they will succeed,” she said.
Each year about 3,000 youth receive services from the Brotherhood Crusade. The organization now provides mentoring, tutoring, leadership training, job training, gardening, sports, Restorative Justice Teen Courts. For youth, being a part of Brotherhood is like belonging to a large, extended family — with resources.
“If they have needs that aren’t being met, we can step in,” said Bremond Weaver. “We’re not their parents, but we’re a community that cares about them.”
Proceeds from the gala will benefit the Brotherhood Crusade’s youth development programs. Chris Schauble, co-anchor of KTLA 5 Morning News, and Pat Prescott, a radio personality with 94.7 The Wave, will emcee. The Beverly Hilton Hotel is located at 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 90210.
“With Morris Day & the Time providing entertainment, I know that at some point everyone will want to be on the dance floor,” Ridley Thomas said.
The Brotherhood Crusade thanks its sponsors for their generous support of the gala: The California Endowment; AEG; Nielsen; Southern California Edison; Chase; US Soccer Foundation; DirecTV; American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper; Verizon; Bank of America; Microsoft; Wells Fargo; Comerica Bank; Northern Trust; Ivie, McNeill & Wyatt; SEIU ULTCW; SEIU 721; SEIU 99; Mattel; United Domestic Workers; AFL-CIO; Metropolitan Water District; Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science; CAM Foundation; Southwest Airlines; The Gas Company; SMS Transportation; Lockheed Martin; RFP Insurance; South Central Los Angeles Regional Center; Special Needs Network; Kaiser Permanente; State Farm Insurance; CFSA; AT&T; US Bank; Lily & Bruce Karatz & The Karatz Family Foundation; HPP; The Castillo Charitable Foundation; Interior Music Corporation; Los Angeles Speech & Language Center; California Community Foundation; Enterprise; Farmers; Boeing; Nestle; Standard Parking; UPS; Toyota; Xerox; and The Berry Gordy Family Foundation.
For interviews or to purchase tickets, please call Maybelline Saintjulien: (323) 846-1649.